Unmute Civil Society recommendations are supported by 52 states and over 300 civil society organisations from around the world. They seek to enhance current participation modalities at the United Nations to make them more inclusive along-with focus on institutional improvements. Based on extensive action-oriented discussions between Member States and civil society on lessons learned and opportunities for strengthening meaningful participation, we wish to provide the following recommendations as a non-exhaustive, but committed, exercise to support and build on UN efforts:
1. Utilise Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for global participation: The UN should maximize ICT to involve people and civil society globally, using hybrid meeting formats with digital tools for broader access to key policy spaces.
2. Bridge digital divides: Efforts are needed to reduce global North-South digital disparities. Investments in digital infrastructure and democracy initiatives should consider gender, rural-urban, economic, minority status, and other discriminations.
3. Enhance civil society participation: Amend UN procedures to prioritise meaningful participation. Provide adequate time for civil society input on outcomes, attendance at key meetings, and equal stakeholder status in negotiations.
4. Celebrate civil society involvement: Adopt a Civil Society Action Day to recognise and affirm the UN's commitment to civil society participation, fostering meaningful debate on improvements.
5. Appoint a People's/Civil Society Envoy: Urgently appoint an envoy to drive best practices in civil society participation, address asymmetries in UN engagement, ensure diverse stakeholder involvement, and proactively engage with citizens and civil society groups worldwide.
Read the detailed recommendations here: UNmute Recommendations for meaningful participation at the UN
