OEDD Granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WINDSOR, ON- The Organization for Economic Development and Diplomacy (OEDD) is proud to announce that it has officially been granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC). 

The United Nations’ Consultative Status empowers the organization to designate official representatives to UN headquarters in New York, United States,; Geneva, Switzerland; Vienna, Austria and Kigali, Kenya to submit written statements, deliver oral presentations during high-level international summits, and directly inform global policy agendas spanning sustainable development, economic inclusion, and human rights. At the center of this opportunity is the immense potential to amplify the voices of youth of African descent in the Diaspora. In line with the African Union’s recognition of the African Diaspora as its Sixth Region, a vital engine for continental development, integration, and governance. By directly bridging Diaspora-led economic solutions with Africa’s continental development goals, OEDD mobilizes the soft power of the global Diaspora, leveraging cultural, intellectual, and economic networks to elevate African-descendant influence on the global stage. Sustainable progress relies on building these deliberate bridges, connecting talent, expertise, networks, capital, and ideas to accelerate cross-continental impact. 

Crucially, this UN recognition amplifies OEDD’s ability to mobilize soft power as a primary driver of modern international policy using diplomatic channels as the primary vehicle. Soft power, the capacity to shape global outcomes through cultural and citizen diplomacy, shared values, and intellectual capital rather than coercion is the foundation of diaspora-led development. Through this elevated global platform, OEDD elevates soft power from an abstract concept into actionable strategy. By channeling the collective voice, innovation, and soft power of African-descendant leaders into the halls of the United Nations, the institution ensures that young changemakers do not simply adapt to global policy agendas, but directly shape decision-making and international development paradigms from the ground up.

OEDD has already proven the power of these connections through its programs such as the Black Diplomats Academy (BDA) and the Diplomatic Horizons Mock Embassy and Consulate (DHMEC). Rather than starting from scratch, OEDD uses the BDA as well as the DHMEC to actively train, mentor, and insert young African-descendant leaders into high-level diplomatic, economic, and policy spheres. Alongside initiatives like the Youth Secretariat, Lead Like A Girl, Digital Innovations along with regional economic accelerators, our programs provide concrete evidence of OEDD's sustained high-impact track record. This new accreditation gives OEDD the global platform required to scale our work harnessing the soft power of the Diaspora and opening institutional doors for young leaders to shape decision-making from the ground up. 

For More Information, Contact:

Name: Michael Brown, Deputy Head of Mission, OEDD
Cell: +1 226-961-1065
Email: michael.brown@oedd.ca