Elizka Relief Foundation serves as a vital diplomatic and technical bridge between the grassroots realities of the African continent and the high-level policy mechanisms of the United Nations. Our dual role as an Implementing Agency and a Policy Coordinator ensures that the "right to development" is protected from the village level to the General Assembly.

I. Leadership in the United Nations System

We hold mandated leadership positions that allow us to shape the global sustainable development agenda:

West Africa Organizing Partner | UN NGO Major Group: We coordinate the voices and inputs of non-governmental organizations across West Africa, ensuring regional challenges are represented in UN policy drafting.

Co-Chair | Africa Regional Mechanism of Major Groups (ARMMGoS): In this capacity, we lead the collective civil society engagement with the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) through the Economic Commission of Africa.

Global Representative | UN MGoS Coordination Mechanism: Elizka serves as a designated representative at the global level, facilitating the synergy between regional outcomes and the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York.

Continental Coordinator | Action for Sustainable Development: We act as the primary coordinating agency in Africa for this global alliance, driving collective action for the SDGs.

II. Formal Consultative & Observer Status

Elizka Relief Foundation's global leadership is founded on internationally recognized consultative, observer, and institutional accreditations that enable us to contribute to policy development, global dialogue, and sustainable solutions across the humanitarian, environmental, health, climate, and development sectors.

Principal Consultative Status

Our highest level of engagement within the United Nations system is anchored in:

United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC): Holding Special Consultative Status since 2015, enabling Elizka Relief Foundation to designate official representatives to United Nations Headquarters, submit written statements, participate in intergovernmental meetings, and contribute to global policy discussions on sustainable development, human rights, and social progress.

Climate, Environment & Biodiversity

Elizka Relief Foundation maintains accredited observer and institutional engagement with the world's leading climate and environmental governance mechanisms, contributing to global efforts to address climate change, biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, and sustainable natural resource management.

Our key accreditations include:

Green Climate Fund (GCF) – Accredited Observer contributing to transparency and accountability in international climate finance.

Global Environment Facility (GEF) – Engaging with one of the world's largest environmental financing mechanisms.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – Participating in international climate negotiations and implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – Supporting the dissemination and application of climate science to inform policy and action.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – Contributing to global environmental governance and sustainable development initiatives.

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) – Supporting international efforts to combat land degradation, drought, and desertification.

International Whaling Commission (IWC) – Contributing to international dialogue on marine biodiversity conservation, sustainable ocean governance, and the protection of cetaceans and marine ecosystems.

Global Health & Human Development

Recognizing that sustainable development cannot be achieved without healthy communities, Elizka Relief Foundation actively contributes to international health policy dialogue and multi-sectoral approaches to public health, health equity, and resilient health systems.

Our global health engagements include:

World Health Organization (WHO) Civil Society Commission – Contributing civil society perspectives to global health governance, universal health coverage, health equity, community resilience, and the achievement of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3).

Global Peace, Security & Rule of Law

Elizka Relief Foundation also contributes technical expertise and civil society perspectives to international institutions advancing peace, security, justice, and international legal cooperation.

Our engagements include:

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) – Accredited to support international efforts toward chemical weapons non-proliferation and global security.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) – Contributing to international policy discussions on crime prevention, anti-corruption, and justice.

Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC) – Supporting evidence-based approaches to global drug policy and public health.

International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) – Supporting international advocacy for nuclear disarmament, peacebuilding, and humanitarian security.

III. "Our Voice at the Table": Policy Influence

Global challenges require inclusive solutions, and meaningful change begins when the voices of communities are represented where decisions are made. Through our internationally recognized consultative and observer accreditations, Elizka Relief Foundation actively participates in global policy dialogues, ensuring that local realities and community experiences inform international decision-making.

Our representatives regularly engage in high-level conferences, intergovernmental negotiations, expert consultations, technical working groups, and multistakeholder forums convened by the United Nations and other international organizations. We contribute evidence-based recommendations, policy statements, technical submissions, and practical solutions that advance sustainable development, climate action, environmental stewardship, public health, social justice, peacebuilding, and inclusive governance.

Our policy engagement spans multiple global platforms, including:

United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) – Contributing to policy discussions on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), social development, humanitarian action, and human rights.

United Nations Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC COPs) – Advocating for equitable climate finance, community-led adaptation, loss and damage, and resilient development.

Green Climate Fund (GCF) – Promoting transparency, accountability, and equitable access to climate finance for vulnerable communities.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) – Supporting international policies on ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, pollution reduction, and sustainable land management.

World Health Organization (WHO) Civil Society Commission – Advancing policies that strengthen health systems, promote health equity, improve community resilience, and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC) – Contributing civil society perspectives on justice, crime prevention, and public health-oriented drug policies.

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), and the International Whaling Commission (IWC) – Supporting international efforts that promote peace, global security, environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and responsible global governance.

Our influence extends beyond attendance. We build strategic partnerships, facilitate dialogue between governments and civil society, advocate for marginalized communities, and promote innovative, evidence-based solutions that translate global commitments into tangible local impact.

At Elizka Relief Foundation, policy influence is more than participating in conversations—it is about helping shape the decisions that create a more just, resilient, healthy, and sustainable world for present and future generations.