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Economic and Social Council ‘stands ready’ to lead on achieving UN 2030 Agenda, says President

President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Oh Joon.
UN Photo/Amanda Voisard
President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Oh Joon.

Economic and Social Council ‘stands ready’ to lead on achieving UN 2030 Agenda, says President

The President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) today highlighted key messages and results drawn from the Council’s 2015 session and called for comprehensive and integrated policies to effectively achieve the recently adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as he presented the body’s annual report to the UN member States.

“Integrated and inclusive approaches to achieving our ambitious agenda will require strong institutions, broad-based partnerships, robust implementation plans, and thorough follow-up and review,” said Oh Joon in his address to the UN General Assembly.

Mr. Oh also added that besides the key recommendations, successfully achieving the aims of the Sustainable Development Goals would urgently require Member States to formulate integrated policies that foster balanced consideration of economic, social and environmental issues, ensuring synergies across multiple sectors.

The President also highlighted the broad range of themes examined by the 54-member Council during “this highly productive and significant year,” such as convening dialogues on the future of the UN development system and the readiness of its operational activities; applying the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development to employment creation; advancing financing for development; and strengthening the coordination of the humanitarian assistance of the UN.

He also highlighted other activities undertaken by ECOSOC, such as considering the role and features of multi-stakeholder partnerships in implementing the 2030 Agenda and incorporating youth perspectives in the international dialogue on development.

Mr. Oh also added that at the 2015 High-level Segment of ECOSOC, which included the three-day Ministerial meeting of the High-Level Political Forum, significant contributions were made to ensure smoother transition of the Council to the new 2030 Agenda.

He further said that the new 2016 session will be crucial for ECOSOC as the Council leads in the global implementation and review of the 2030 Agenda.

“The ECOSOC forum on financing for development follow-up and review, mandated by the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, will be convened for the first time during this session. It will include the special high-level meeting of the Council with the World Bank, the [International Monetary Fund], [World Trade Organization] and the [United Nations Conference on Trade and Development],” said Mr. Oh.

Lastly, the President said that the 2016 annual theme ‘Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Moving from commitments to results’ is a reaffirmation of the Council’s commitment in tackling the challenges and effectively implementing the goals of the Agenda 2030.

“ECOSOC is committed to supporting Member States in this policy integration effort, and in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. I can assure you that the entire ECOSOC system, including the functional and regional commissions, committees, and expert bodies, is mobilized towards this end,” said Mr. Oh.