On August 2, 2019, the UN DESA issued a formal letter to grant “Special Consultative Status” to the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS). 

The special consultative status is the core of formal relations between the United States and social organizations, and is also an important way for social organizations to actively participate in the United Nations affairs and international affairs. As of September 2018, there are 5,161 NGOs with consultative status worldwide, including 4,052 NGOs with special consultative status. Among all NGOs with consultative status, there are only 43 who are from China. 

According to the regulations of No. 1996/31 resolution of the ECOSOC, the NGOs with consultative status shall have the following rights: 1. Designate official representatives of the United Nations Headquarters, the United Nations Office at Geneva, the United Nations Office at Vienna, and register and participate in the United Nations project meetings and events. 2. designate authorized representatives as observers to attend public meetings held by: the UN DESA and its subsidiary bodies, the United Nations Human Rights Council, and under certain conditions, the UN General Assembly, and other UN intergovernmental bodies; 3. apply for participation in relevant international conferences convened by the United Nations and meetings of its preparatory bodies, make short speeches and submit written reports; 4. be entrusted by the UN DESA and its subsidiary bodies, and carry out special research and surveys or write specific papers for the NGO committee. 

Since its establishment for more than 30 years, the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) has been committed to carrying out academic exchanges of acupuncture, acupuncture education, legislation, standardization, acupuncture medical care, training and examination, scientific research and information platform construction, etc., and has played an important role in promoting the understanding and cooperation between the global acupuncture specialists and safeguarding the rights of acupuncturists. It has organized and held 9 worldwide general meetings of the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) (8 of which are co-hosted with the World Health Organization and the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences), 14 academic conferences on acupuncture-moxibustion, 25 international symposiums on acupuncture research and more than 30 “Belt & Road” Tour on TCM Acupuncture-Moxibustion. 

Since March 2018, the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) has begun to apply for the special consultative status, and finally achieved this monumental success after 17 months. Therefore, the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) will make full use of its strength and get more opportunities to participate in high-level UN events through the consultative status, promote TCM Acupuncture on a wider stage, enhance its international academic influence, and make greater contributions to building a community of shared future and health for mankind.