What is an Consultative Session?
Again duplicating UN practice, both the Security Council and ECOSOC spend much of their time in “consultative session.” As opposed to a typical caucus, consultative sessions usually involve representatives sitting at their places in the meeting but conducting their discussions off-line, in a much less formal setting, and not constrained by the formal protocols (both in rules and speaking) required in regular debate. Consultative session can greatly facilitate the negotiating process, and much of these Councils’ time can be spent in these sessions, only going into formal session to codify and vote on resolutions and amendments. Consultative sessions may also be used in the Special Committee, which provides a simulation of a different UN sub-committee or specialized agency each year.
