UN Observer Status

Over the years, the UN has become ever more active in promoting democratic processes around the world in its peace operations, development cooperation programmes and in support of human rights. Various UN meetings and conferences have played an increasingly important part in the development of policy on democracy assistance. Back in 1999, therefore, IDEA’s Board and Council decided that it would be beneficial for the institute to obtain Observer Status in the UN General Assembly. On 9 December 2003, the General Assembly adopted a resolution—co-sponsored by 25 UN Member States, most of which are IDEA Member States—without a vote that granted IDEA Observer Status.

IDEA will now have access to a number of UN policy fora in which issues related to democracy and its promotion are being discussed. The decision also offers important acknowledgement regarding IDEA’s status as an intergovernmental organization, which, in turn, will assist it in consolidating its work in the various countries where it is present in the field.

"We are very pleased with the UN decision. But we must take this decision as an expression of the UN’s expectation that IDEA should make substantive contributions to the global endeavour to promote and assist democracies", said Ms Lena Hjelm-Wallén, Chairperson of IDEA’s Board of Directors.