International Probono Legal Services Association Granted Special Consultative Status by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

The International Probono Legal Services Association (IPLSA), founded by Hong Kong Legislative Council Member, Solicitor Junius K. Y. Ho, is pleased to announce that it has been officially notified by the United Nations (UN) that it has been granted Special Consultative Status by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC), effective from 7 December 2022.

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is the core body of the United Nations system dedicated to advancing the three dimensions of sustainable development—economic, social, and environmental. It serves as the central platform for fostering debate, promoting innovative thinking, forging consensus on the way forward, and coordinating global efforts to achieve internationally agreed goals. ECOSOC is also responsible for the follow-up to major UN conferences and summits. Established in 1945 under the United Nations Charter, ECOSOC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.

There are three types of consultative status with ECOSOC: General Consultative Status, Special Consultative Status, and Roster status. Among them, Special Consultative Status is granted to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have specific competence and are concerned with only a few of ECOSOC's fields of activity.

Holding "Consultative Status" with ECOSOC is an important mark of international recognition for an NGO. The United Nations recognizes internationally significant non-governmental organizations (totaling 6,110 organizations as of April 2022) through ECOSOC by granting consultative status, encouraging these organizations to play an active role in international affairs.

On 7 December 2022, IPLSA was officially granted Special Consultative Status by ECOSOC. This designation affirms the Association's right to designate official representatives to the United Nations posts in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, as well as the right to receive the annual UN meeting calendar and attend ECOSOC sessions. This milestone provides a brand-new platform for the Association to actively engage and collaborate in United Nations affairs.