The United Nations has conferred advisory membership in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) upon the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ).

This acknowledgment is a testament to the Center's quarter-century dedication to civil society advocacy, supporting social welfare, and promoting sustainable development.

The newly granted observer status empowers the center to participate in Human Rights Council sessions and grants the privilege of addressing these sessions.

This advisory membership bestows several benefits upon the CDFJ, notably the appointment of official representatives at the UN headquarters in New York, as well as offices in Geneva and Vienna. These representatives can partake in UN courses, events, conferences, and activities.

Consultative membership further enables the Center to nominate authorized representatives as observers in general meetings of ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, including the Human Rights Council and potentially the General Assembly and other UN intergovernmental bodies.

Civil society organizations possessing advisory status can submit written statements about Council work within their domain of expertise. Moreover, based on the recommendation of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, these organizations can make oral presentations to ECOSOC. They might also be called upon by the UN Secretary-General for studies or paper preparations.

Consultative status endows civil society groups with the right to utilize UN facilities for organizing meetings and conferences. It facilitates the participation of affiliated organizations and enhances their presence. The CDFJ, following advisory membership criteria, will uphold its activities and contributions every four years through the submission of reports.

Expressing gratitude for the UN's trust, the CDFJ affirms its commitment to advancing human rights initiatives and executing its strategic plans. The center acknowledges its Chairman, Board of Directors, executive team, partners, and donors for their invaluable support.

Established in Jordan in 1998 as a non-profit organization operating across the Arab world, the CDFJ obtained licensure in Geneva in 2018 and registered as a foreign institution branch in Tunisia. The center champions Arab media freedom, professionalism, and independence. It advocates for freedom of expression, information dissemination, and human rights consolidation in the Arab region.

Over its 25-year journey, the Center has executed numerous projects and programs within four core domains: protection, empowerment, advocacy, and catalyzing change. Its initiatives focus on safeguarding media freedoms, enhancing the capacities of journalists and human rights defenders, and fostering a conducive environment for media, expression, and civil space. Leveraging its expertise, the CDFJ collaborates with civil society groups and stakeholders to integrate media into their initiatives, fueling positive transformation.