The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at its Coordination and Management Meeting of 25 July 2016 adopted the recommendation of the committee on Non-Governmental Organizations to grant Special Consultative Status to BJD Reinsurance Consulting.

Consultative status enables an organization to actively engage with ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, as well as with the United Nations Secretariat, programs, funds and agencies in a number of ways.

The Economic and Social Council is the principal organ that coordinates the economic, social and related work of the United Nations specialized agencies, functional commissions and regional commissions. It serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to Member States and the United Nations system.

ECOSOC remains the only main UN body with a formal framework for NGO participation. This accreditation framework benefits both the United Nations and the NGOs.

As stated by resolution 1996/31 on the "Consultative relationship between the United Nations and non-governmental organizations": "... Consultative arrangements are to be made, on the one hand, for the purpose of enabling the Council or one of its bodies to secure expert information or advice from organizations having special competence in the subjects for which consultative arrangements are made, and, on the other hand, to enable international, regional, sub-regional and national organizations that represent important elements of public opinion to express their views." — ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, part II, paragraph 2 ECOSOC provides NGOs the opportunity to be heard by a truly global audience and contribute to its agenda.

An NGO with consultative status can:

• Attend international conferences and events;
• Make written and oral statements at these events; 
• Organize side events; 
• Enter United Nations premises; 
• Have opportunities to network and lobby.
  

While ECOSOC has the opportunity to avail itself of valuable and expert advice from NGOs, the NGOs in turn also have the opportunity of expressing their views and influencing the work of the Council.

NGOs have specialized competence, hands-on experience and flexibility that is of great value to the UN. For instance, by having consultative status, an NGO could:

• Provide expert analysis on issues directly from its experience in the field;
• Serve as an early warning agent; 
• Help monitor and implement international agreements; 
• Help raise public awareness of relevant issues; 
• Play a major role in advancing United Nations goals and objectives; 
• Contribute with essential information at organization events.
  

On the other hand, ECOSOC provides NGOs the opportunity to be heard by a truly global audience and contribute to its agenda.

NGOs that are accredited with ECOSOC can participate in a number of events, including, but not limited to, the regular sessions of ECOSOC, its functional commissions and its other subsidiary bodies. At these sessions, which usually take place once a year, NGOs may:

• Attend official meetings;
• Submit written statements prior to sessions; 
• Make oral statements; 
• Meet official government delegations and other NGO representatives; 
• Organize and attend parallel events that take place during the session; 
• Participate in debates, interactive dialogues, panel discussions and informal meetings.
  

ECOSOC needs and wants expert opinions, ideas and suggestions from civil society. For this reason NGOs are often encouraged to submit written statements to address subjects under the different areas of work of the Council. Resolution 1996/31 states the following about written statements:

"Written statements relevant to the work of the Council may be submitted by organizations in general consultative status and special consultative status on subjects in which these organizations have a special competence. Such statements shall be circulated by the Secretary General of the United Nations to the members of the Council ..." — ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, part IV, paragraph 30.

As stated in resolution 1996/31, organizations with consultative status have the option of presenting an oral statement at the ECOSOC annual meeting either at the United Nations in New York or the United Nations Office in Geneva.

NGOs frequently have the option of organizing a side event that is related to a main event organized by an ECOSOC functional commission.