One of ICVA's five primary functions, reaffirmed by ICVA's General Assembly held in 2003, is to facilitate relationships with United Nations agencies related to humanitarian response.

Part II. Contribution of ICVA to the work of the United Nations

ICVA is the NGO focal point for facilitating partnerships between the UNHCR and NGOs.

With regards to the UN humanitarian reform process, ICVA has facilitated NGO input and involvement in this process.

WVI attended many Standing Committee meetings during the reporting period and addressed them on several occasions on behalf of ICVA.

The ICVA PARinAC website was established with funding from UNHCR and this has already proved a useful tool in preparation of NGO participation in UNHCR meetings.

The network of the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) reaches throughout the region and promotes dialogue among national and international non-governmental organizations and United Nations organizations.

ICVA has been invited by the Emergency Relief Coordinator/Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs who chairs the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) to participate in the IASC.

ICVA is also the focal point for NGO relations with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and facilitates NGO interventions in the UNHCR Standing and Executive Committees.

ICVA is in close contact and cooperation with various other UN bodies and UN humanitarian, human rights, and development actors and agencies on a regular basis.