Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) play a crucial role in communicating global issues and linking local contexts to global debates and goals, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full and meaningful participation of civil society, particularly women, Indigenous peoples, youth, and those most vulnerable to climate change, contributes to more sustainable social and environmental policies. Despite this need, the influence of CSOs in global politics remains limited. Moreover, civil society representatives often face significant barriers, exclusion, and pressure at international negotiations and conferences.

Recent events have highlighted the increasing threats to civic space at international gatherings. The People’s Water Forum (PWF) in Bali is a stark example, where CSOs and human rights representatives faced harassment, intimidation, and even physical barriers that prevented their full participation. This incident is not isolated. For example, at COP27 in Egypt in 2022, international and Egyptian civil society groups endured severe restrictions imposed by the authorities, hindering participation and leading to the arrests of journalists, activists, human rights defenders, and members of the LGBTQI+ community. Similarly, while the fossil fuel industry was largely represented at COP28 in Dubai in 2023, protests for human and environmental rights in the UAE were shut down.

Barriers to participation are not just about repression but also about access and agenda-setting. High costs, complex visa procedures, and language barriers limit the ability of CSOs, particularly those from the Global South, to attend these forums. Registration fees can be prohibitively expensive, and the lack of transparent sponsorship opportunities further restricts access. Language barriers also pose a significant challenge, as key documents and discussions are often not available in languages spoken by many grassroots organizations. Moreover, CSOs often struggle to influence the agenda-setting – both before and during international events, which are typically dominated by governments and the private sector. With limited access to the preparatory process, CSOs receive inadequate opportunities to participate and lead key discussions.

Looking ahead, it is crucial that countries like the Netherlands and other governments commit to securing and expanding civic space in upcoming international conferences, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP16 (from 21 October to 1 November 2024 in Cali, Colombia), the UNFCCC COP29 (from 11 to 22 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan), and the UNCCD COP16 (from 2 to 13 December 2024 in Saudi Arabia). By ensuring that CSOs have a meaningful role in agenda-setting and can participate without fear of repression or exclusion, we can work towards more equitable and effective global policies that truly reflect the needs and voices of all stakeholders.

That is why we – with contributions from (strategic) partners and publicly available documentation from civil society – have formulated a number of recommendations with the aim to secure and expand civic space in international forums.

Read the recommendations publication "A Path Towards Inclusive (Water) Fora: Proactive Measures for Succes".