- there was a disparity in the number of NGOs at the regional level, their sizes and thus their effectiveness. It therefore sought to hear from the Secretariat as to whether it foresaw a reflection on or revision to the criteria and modalities [of NGOs].
- 384. The delegation of India took note of the current discussion under the ad hoc working group, adding that it was fundamental to address some of the weaknesses in the current system. It supported the further re-examination of the current accreditation and renewal system for the NGOs along with the Secretariat's call to have the related criteria revised. The delegation believed that this would enable NGOs to better understand what was expected from their role, while encouraging NGO partners to adhere to the aims of the Convention.
- 385. The Secretary confirmed that the revision of the accreditation process was precisely what had been asked of the Committee and why it had initiated the reflection. The accreditation process was largely administrative and unlike an inscription, the Secretariat simply checked the credentials and technical criteria of the NGO to ensure their authenticity. The Secretary concurred that there were very different sizes of NGOs and a large geographical imbalance. Moreover, the geographical imbalance should be measured against the geographical imbalance in the number of requests for accreditation received, i.e., the Secretariat was not receiving enough demands from under-represented groups, as mentioned by some delegations, causing the geographical imbalance. In other words, the accreditation was not at all being weeded out; there were simply not enough requests from certain regions. Hence the multiple calls made by the Secretariat over several Committees urging States Parties from under-represented regions to encourage NGOs working in intangible cultural heritage in their respective States to seek accreditation.
- 386. The Vice-Chairperson proceeded to the adoption of the draft resolution on a paragraph-by- paragraph basis. Paragraph 1 examined Document 11. Paragraph 2 recalled Article 9 of the Convention and paragraphs 91 - 99 of the Operational Directives. Paragraph 3 further recalled Decision 12.COM 17. Paragraph 4 accredited the twenty-nine NGOs listed. Paragraph 5 encouraged NGOs from under-represented Electoral Groups. Paragraph 6 invited the NGOs accredited in 2014 to submit their quadrennial report in 2019. With no objections, paragraphs 1 - 6 were duly adopted. The Vice-Chair then turned to paragraph 7 on the ongoing reflection undertaken by the Secretariat and the informal ad hoc working group.
- 387. The delegation of Algeria referred to the wording , ' Takes note of the ongoing reflection undertaken by the Secretariat and the informal ad hoc working group, in consultation with accredited NGOs, on the participation of NGOs […]', adding that 'their participation' would lighten the sentence, which was followed by, 'to the Convention and requests that the Committee and the Secretariat present the outcomes of this reflection ' . The delegation felt that the order of the sentence was incomplete, as the informal working group must first submit its findings to the Committee which would then submit it to the General Assembly.
- 388. The Secretary remarked that the first part referred to the informal ad hoc working group, followed by the second part that referenced the Committee, but indeed the understanding was that the working group had already been established by the Committee. The Secretary agreed that the sentence could be better articulated, which might require an additional sentence to explain that the informal ad hoc working group reported to the Committee. A Committee decision had invited the Secretariat to continue its reflection, in consultation with the NGOs, and to report the results of the reflection back to the Committee at its thirteenth session. Thus, the procedure had been established, but in two different decisions.
- 389. The delegation of Algeria did not wish to complicate matters but wanted to ensure that everyone agreed on the order of the procedure.
- 390. The Secretary confirmed that the outcomes would first be reported to the Committee and then to the General Assembly.
- 391. The delegation of Portugal referred to the latter part of the paragraph that mentioned 'a future session', which was rather open, and wondered whether a two-year timeline could be enough