ADD was granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) at its formal session in July 2011. This is the highest level of recognition that UN grants to an NGO. The Association may participate in all UN meetings involving NGOs and may present documents for distribution.

The Association is affiliated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany. Working arrangements will be established with UNFCCC’s Commission dealing with environmental matters. ADD is affiliated to UNEP. ADD was affiliated to the former UN Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) in New York.

In Mauritius, ADD maintains contacts with the Secretariats of UN namely the UNDP Office and those of the European Union and the Secretariat of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).