Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have emerged as powerful actors in global politics, shaping debates, influencing policy, and filling critical gaps left by state and intergovernmental structures. Their rise is tied to processes of globalization, the spread of communication technologies, and the growing complexity of transnational issues such as human rights, climate change, health crises, and humanitarian conflicts. Unlike states, NGOs do not derive authority from sovereignty, yet they exercise influence through advocacy, expertise, and mobilization of public opinion. In international relations theory and practice, their role illustrates the increasing pluralization of global governance and the diffusion of power beyond traditional state-centric frameworks. NGOs contribute to the articulation and dissemination of global norms. Human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, document violations, publicize abuses, and put pressure on governments and international bodies to act. Their reports often shape the agenda of the United Nations, the European Union, and other multilateral forums, creating a form of moral authority that compels states to justify their behavior in the face of international scrutiny. Norm entrepreneurship by NGOs has been crucial in campaigns against landmines, child soldiers, and in advancing gender equality. These efforts reveal that while NGOs lack coercive power, they wield normative power that shapes global discourses and state behavior. NGOs also play a vital role in the delivery of humanitarian aid and development assistance. Organizations like Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) provide medical care in conflict zones and disaster-hit areas where state institutions are absent or unwilling to intervene. Similarly, NGOs engaged in poverty alleviation and education, such as Oxfam or Save the Children, contribute to global development goals and supplement the work of intergovernmental agencies like the World Bank or UNDP. Their field-level presence allows them to respond quickly and effectively, building trust with local communities while navigating complex political contexts. This service-oriented role demonstrates their functional importance in addressing immediate human needs in global politics. NGOs act as watchdogs and accountability agents in international governance. They monitor compliance with international treaties, such as environmental agreements or conventions on human rights, and call out states or corporations that fail to adhere to obligations. Environmental NGOs like Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund have influenced global environmental politics by exposing harmful practices, lobbying for stronger regulations, and pushing for sustainable development. The role of NGOs in climate negotiations, particularly in framing the urgency of global warming, exemplifies how civil society actors pressure governments to adopt more ambitious policies. This monitoring function enhances transparency in international politics and holds both states and private actors to higher standards. In addition to service delivery and advocacy, NGOs provide technical expertise and knowledge that shape policy decisions. Many organizations employ specialists in law, science, economics, and social policy, producing reports and recommendations that influence international negotiations. For instance, NGOs involved in arms control debates supply data and analyses that inform the drafting of treaties and verification mechanisms. Their expertise strengthens international institutions by providing resources that many states, especially those with limited capacity, cannot