Across Atlantic Development has been accredited with a Special Consultative Status with The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which is at the heart of the United Nations system to advance the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social, and environmental. It is the central platform for fostering debate and innovative thinking, forging consensus on ways forward, and coordinating efforts to achieve internationally agreed goals. It is also responsible for the follow-up to major UN conferences and summits.
The UN Charter established ECOSOC in 1945 as one of the six main organs of the United Nations. ECOSOC remains the only main UN body with a formal framework for NGO participation.
This accreditation framework benefits both the United Nations and the NGOs. As stated by resolution 1996/31 on the "Consultative relationship between the United Nations and non-governmental organizations,"
"Consultative arrangements are to be made, on the one hand, for the purpose of enabling the Council or one of its bodies to secure expert information or advice from organizations that have special competence in the subjects for which consultative arrangements are made, and, on the other hand, to enable international, regional, sub-regional, and national organizations that represent important elements of public opinion to express their views."
Across Atlantic Development's ECOSOC resolution mandate will be limited to the following commissions:
- Commission on the Status of Women
- Commission for Social Development
- Commission on Population and Development
- Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
- United Nations Forum on Forests
- Statistical Commission
- Commission on Narcotic Drugs
- Commission on Science and Technology for Development
Other commissions with which Across Atlantic is a member and works are ECOSOC Regional Commissions:
- Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
- Economic Commission for Europe (ECE)
- Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
- Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
- Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
