How do candidates for the Committee on NGOs' elections 2027-2030 rate?
ISHR has published ‘scorecards’ for States seeking election to the UN Committee on NGOs 2027-2030 to help inform voting States’ decisions in the upcoming election.
The composition of the Committee on NGOs directly affects whether and to what extent civil society can participate meaningfully in UN processes. ISHR has published scorecards that aim to support voting decisions that strengthen – rather than restrict – civil society engagement.
The scorecards offer a quick ‘at-a-glance’ objective comparison of each candidate’s commitment to supporting civil society through criteria based on the State’s record at the Committee on NGOs, how they promote civic space and their participation in other UN bodies.
They are designed to help ECOSOC Member States make informed choices in the April 2026 elections.
Voting States must States’ practices on civil society access as a paramount consideration when electing members to this Committee and prioritise it over political or economic interests.
Who are the candidates to Committee on NGOs’ elections 2027-2030?
Though some are anticipated and others not yet finalised, the current candidates for the NGO Committee are:
- African States: Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia (5 candidates for 5 seats – closed slate)
- Asian Pacific States: China, India, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (4 candidates for 4 seats – closed slate)
- Eastern European States: Belarus, Estonia, Ukraine (3 candidates for 2 seats – competitive slate)
- Latin American and Caribbean States: Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru (4 candidates for 4 seats – closed slate)
- Western European and Other States: Israel, Turkiye, United Kingdom, United States of America (4 candidates for 4 seats – closed slate)
Sources and criteria for the scorecards
The sources and criteria for the scorecards are set out below:
| ELEMENT | SOURCE |
| Previous term | ECOSOC Decisions (starting with 1998/202B) relating to election outcomes for the Committee on NGOs |
| Record at the Committee on NGOs | |
| Has the State publicly shared a pledge outlining vision and commitments as a member if elected? | Websites of Member State candidates and UN Document Search |
| Has the State consistently supported granting consultative status to independent NGOs through votes at the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs? | Reports of ECOSOC Committee on NGOs sessions from 2015 to 2025 |
| Has the State actively engaged in reform initiatives to ensure NGO accreditation is fair, transparent, non-arbitrary and expeditious? | Reports of ECOSOC Committee on NGOs sessions from 2015 to 2025 |
| Civic Space | |
| Does the State provide an open or relatively open space for independent civil society? | Score of 61-100 on the CIVICUS Monitor measuring civic space |
| Does the State have a diverse, active and independent domestic civil society? | Score of 0.6 or above on V-Dem Civil Society Participation Index 2025 |
| Participation in Other UN Bodies | |
| Does the State have no case of unresolved reprisals highlighted in Secretary-General reports? | Secretary General reports: Acts of intimidation and reprisal for cooperation with the United Nations in the field of human rights (2015-2025) |
| Has the State either not received any communications from the Special Rapporteur on freedom of association and assembly or responded substantively to all communications received? | No outstanding communication response prior to 2026 in Special Procedures Communications Search |
| Has the State consistently supported (yes vote or co-sponsorship) HRC or GA resolutions or statements on protecting civil society space and reprisals? | Joint statements on reprisals at General Assembly Third Committee (2019-2025), HRC59 civil society space resolution, HRC60 Reprisals resolution |
Find out more about the Committee on NGOs' elections
The Committee on NGOs – which determines which NGOs can or cannot participate in UN meetings – will face elections in April 2026. Join ISHR’s campaign to ensure States nominate and vote for candidates who will defend civil society’s access to and participation in the UN!
Find out more