A/HRC/42/48 21. Different still is the work of the World Economic Forum, which defines itself as an international organization facilitating public-private partnerships. Most famous for its annual meetings in Davos, Switzerland, the Forum also convenes regional and subjectspecific meetings around the world on a regular basis. With the goal of bringing Governments, the private sector and a broad cross section of civil society together to discuss emerging issues, the Forum engages civil society by inviting non-governmental organizations (NGOs), non-profit private associations, academia, think tanks and industry groups to relevant events. Unlike the other groupings, however, the Forum is not a prescriptive policymaking organization. Nevertheless, Forum gatherings have an ultimate effect on policy by providing platforms for discussion of global concerns, such as questions around technology, climate change and the future of work. 22. The case of the Bilderberg Meeting is quite unique. It is an invitation-only annual forum for informal discussions, attended by around 130 political leaders and experts from industry, finance, labour, academia and the media, with a view to fostering dialogue between Europe and North America. Issues discussed during previous editions range from a “stable strategic order”, the “future of capitalism” and the “inequality challenge” to “the ethics of artificial intelligence, “nuclear proliferation” and “climate change and sustainability”.20 These are highly important and relevant worldwide issues discussed by a group of powerful people, with no information made available on the proceedings of the meetings, nor any coverage by the media. 21 23. Modes of participation also differ according to group. For example, civil society participates in G7 and G20 discussions through specific engagement groups, or selfdirected networks of organizations conducting advocacy in parallel to the G7 and G20 meetings. In particular, groups of civil society seeking to advance gender equality coordinate themselves under the umbrella of Women 7 or Women 20. Youth organizations engage with the respective groupings together as Youth 7 and Youth 20. Moreover, a diverse configuration of civil society groups has created and steered broader civil society networks that address both spaces.22 24. While not as developed as the G7 and G20 engagement groups, the BRICS summits have also drawn civil society interest – and parallel civil society action – under networks such as the BRICS Trade Union Forum, Civil BRICS and People’s Forum on BRICS.23 Meetings of interested business representatives are held in parallel. 25. The Independent Expert is not aware of specific procedures or forums for civil society participation within G77 or the Non-Aligned Movement. However, this may be a consequence of their particular histories and functions. While both G77 and the NonAligned Movement maintain identities outside of the United Nations, both also operate within traditional multilateral organizations and can hear from civil society and the public through those organizations as well. 20 21 22 23 See www.bilderbergmeetings.org/press/press-release/press-release. The Independent Expert did not receive any input on engagement with this highly exclusive forum. He interprets this situation as the public simply not knowing about its existence, which he finds unsatisfactory. The engagement groups working alongside the G7 are Civil 7, Women 7, Labour 7, Business 7, Think Thank 7, Science 7 and Youth 7. The groups working alongside the G20 are Civil 20, Women 20, Labour 20, Business 20, Think Tank 20, Youth 20, Science 20 and Urban 20. In addition, an interfaith forum has been held since 2014. John Ruthrauff, Center for Democratic Education, “G7 Summit Advocacy Manual 2019”, pp. 2–3; and John Ruthrauff, Center for Democratic Education, “G20 NGO Advocacy Manual 2019”, pp. 4–5. An academic observer of these forums has concluded that, despite very different approaches, both the formalized Civil BRICs and the self-organized People’s Forum on BRICS have helped to link the lived experiences of individuals and communities with the policymaking of the BRICS Governments. Laura Trajber Waisbich, “Diverse voices: civil society at the 8th BRICS summit”, Sexuality Policy Watch, 9 December 2016. 7