The ILO Special List of Non-Governmental International Organizations was set up in 1956 to establish working relations with international NGIOs other than employers' and workers' organizations, which also share the principles and objectives of the ILO Constitution and Declaration of Philadelphia. The participation of NGIOs in this category depends on their demonstrated interest in the ILO's programme of meetings and activities.

Admission to the ILO Special List

The aims of organizations requesting admission to the ILO Special List should be in harmony with the spirit, aims and principles of the ILO Constitution and the Declaration of Philadelphia. The length of existence, membership, geographical coverage of the organization, its practical achievements and the international nature of its activities constitute the main criteria for such admission. A further requirement is that the organization have an evident interest in at least one of the fields of activity of the ILO. The fact that an organization has already been granted official status with the Economic and Social Council, or a specialized agency of the United Nations, is relevant but does not necessarily imply inclusion in the ILO Special List.

Any non-governmental international organization wishing to be admitted to the Special List is required to forward to the Director-General in one of the working languages of the ILO a copy of its statutes, a list of the names and addresses of its officers, information regarding its composition and the aggregate membership of the national organizations affiliated to it, and a copy of its latest annual report or detailed and verifiable information about its activities.