CCG Granted Special Consultative Status to UN Agency

Earlier this month, the Center for China and Globalization was granted the official special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC), as one of few Chinese NGOs and the only Chinese think tank that have gained the status. This shows the remarkable progress that Chinese think tanks have made in expanding their influence in the global governance mechanism.

The special consultative status can allow NGOs to access and contribute to a wide range of UN bodies and mechanism. The status granted by ECOSOC is a particularly important since it is the first venue by which NGOs took a role in formal UN deliberations and it gives a NGO the rights and obligation to play a role in the international affairs. In history, only a limited number of Chinese NGOs that have been obtained the status, including China Association for Science and Technology, China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, All-China Women’s Federation, China Disabled Persons’ Federation, and China Environmental Protection Foundation.

With its new status, CCG can participate in a number of events, including ECOSOC’s regular sessions, functional sessions, and its other subsidiary bodies. At these sessions, CCG may attend official meetings; submit written statements prior to sessions; make oral statements; meet official government delegations and other NGO representatives; organize and attend parallel events that take place during the session; and participate in debates, interactive dialogues, panel discussions and informal meetings.

Since its establishment 10 years ago, CCG has set its motto as “Global Vision For China, and China Wisdom for the World”, and committed itself to pushing forward China social development using global perspectives through research and international exchange. By obtaining the Special Consultative Status, CCG has proved again its internationally-recognized achievement in the study in the fields like talent globalization, enterprise globalization, innovation and entrepreneurship, overseas Chinese returnees and international migration.

This will help CCG more effectively play a role in the international affairs to promote exchange and enhance global governance. Meanwhile, it is also a landmark event in the efforts of building the new type of think tanks with Chinese characteristics and will encourage Chinese think tanks to participate in international cooperation more proactively.

For years, CCG has maintained close connection and cooperation with the UN and its agencies. Nicholas Rosellini, UN resident coordinator in China, said while he was attending CCG’s 10th anniversary celebration that think tanks play an important role in the world and are valued partners for the UN and UNDP. UNDP needs strong partners in China and in particular international think tanks like CCG in order to achieve its goals for sustainable development.