Major Group Participation in the UNFF what does it mean?

·        Agile accreditation procedures

Wherever the UNFF will be placed in the UN hierarchy, fast and agile accreditation procedures are essential for participation of Major Groups. The current ECOSOC accreditation system does not function properly. Accreditation procedures are extremely slow (there are reported cases in which it takes up to 4 years!) and are restrictive for indigenous peoples and do not recognise the political context within which indigenous peoples are located, as recognition may depend upon formal legal  registration within the home state.[1] Accreditation procedures should be fast (maximum of 6^th months) and should recognize the political reality of indigenous peoples by allowing them accreditation.

·        Speaking to text

Major Groups are not allowed to speak freely in the debates and must depend on the willingness of the chairperson to permit interventions. Moreover Major Groups are only allowed to make general statements and are not allowed to speak to text. Real participation would mean that all Major Groups are allowed to actively participate in the negotiations. This includes that Major Groups should be allowed to speak to text.

·        No closed sessions

Many of the negotiations are taking place behind closed doors. Participation means that there should be no closed sessions. Even if it is considered not appropriate for Major Groups to actively participate, they should be allowed in as observers.

·        Financial assistance

It is sometimes difficult for Southern Governments to attend international meetings for lack of resources. It is even more difficult for NGOs and IPOs to find the resources to attend these meetings. Therefore if a fund is created to facilitate participation of government delegates a similar fund should be created to allow participation of NGOs and IPOs to attend the meeting

·        Commissioning Major Groups to do country and other relevant reports

As governments will have to report to the UNFF, the UNFF secretariat should ensure that the process in which governments develop the national report includes full and free participation of Major Groups. Moreover a provision should be created for Major Groups to report directly to the UNFF on their activities relevant ongoing discussions in the UNFF and national country reports.

·        NGO and IPO representatives in the UNFF secretariat

To ensure there will be proper participation of Major Groups and specifically of NGOs and IPOs as outlined above, it should be considered to have NGO and IPO representatives in the UNFF secretariat.