Statement by Ukraine at the ECOSOC on the application of the so-called "International Association for the Development of the Abaza-Abkhaz Ethnos "Alashara" for granting the consultative status

Ukraine strongly supports participation of civil society in the work of the United Nations and giving NGOs a stronger voice in the UN system. Their involvement is crucial for societies, governments, and the UN itself in order to promote human rights and sustainable development.

At the same time, ECOSOC's decisions on granting the consultative status to non-governmental organizations must be taken in strict conformity with the UN Charter. Consequently, we cannot favour the recommendations contained in the report of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations on its 2021 session on granting the consultative status to the so-called “International Association for the Development of the Abaza-Abkhaz Ethnos "Alashara". We also fully support the request made by Georgia to return this NGO's application to the Committee on NGOs. And rightly so.

After close examination, it was revealed that the mentioned NGO deliberately uses incorrect terminology with regard to the Abkhazia region of Georgia, which questions the territorial integrity of this country and is in direct contradiction with the UN Charter, numerous UNSC and UNGA resolutions.

 Moreover, the Russia-based NGO "Alashara" carries out its activities and, in fact, maintains its office in the Russian-occupied Abkhazia region of Georgia. That is why my delegation believes that the request contained in Georgia's draft decision is legitimate given that the NGO fails to comply with the provisions of the ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, that stipulates that "The aims and purposes of the organization shall be in conformity with the spirit, purposes, and principles of the Charter of the United Nations."

Ukraine supports draft decision E/2021/L.25 submitted by Georgia, and we call on all members of ECOSOC to vote "yes" for this draft decision. Mr. Chair, I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that during its last session NGO Committee deferred the applications of several Ukrainian charity organizations in a more than questionable manner. That is why we strongly support the need to improve the methods of work of this Committee, enabling it to effectively fulfill its role.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.