Welcome to the United Nations
Video on Taking Action for a More Sustainable World
The Economic and Social Council is celebrating its 75th anniversary. As the world is progressing with rebuilding and recovery efforts, 75 years after its creation, ECOSOC’s role and mandate are more relevant than ever in advancing the necessary committed global solidarity and cooperation to avoid another catastrophic event with devastating impact. The meeting will provide the space for ECOSOC to elicit from its members and observers some innovative ideas in a number of areas that could contribute to the reflection on how best to improve multilateralism in the area of sustainable development while celebrating the Council’s impact during its 75 years of existence and reflecting on maximizing its use and impact.
The further strengthening of the Council, which is being worked on by the General Assembly, is part of a larger effort to move towards a more inclusive, impactful and networked multilateralism in the area of sustainable development. The discussions will address ways to achieve this objective by introducing new dynamics and new ways of working in ECOSOC and among key UN system entities, intergovernmental and other bodies engaged in the policy dialogue and governance of sustainable development and its economic, social and environmental dimensions.
Proposed guiding questions:
- How can the ECOSOC be better equipped to ensure that it continues to support the peoples of the world in peace, dignity and equality, building on the recent reforms introduced by the General Assembly?
- How can we maximize the impact of the work of ECOSOC and its segments, forums and subsidiary bodies as well as its coordination role?
- How can we evolve towards the kind of multilateralism that can better respond to existential challenges to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, such as the current pandemic or the economic and social impact of climate change?
- What mechanisms are needed to make multilateralism more inclusive and more conducive to the policy coordination, international solidarity and delivery of global public goods?
- What should the multilateral architecture, including ECOSOC, look like to advance transformative actions for a more resilient, greener and sustainable recovery and for long-term sustainable development?
- How can ECOSOC offer meaningful engagement of youth and other marginalized groups to ensure that the United Nations advances a more inclusive multilateralism that would be relevant for youth and future generations?
Chair:
- H.E. Mr. Munir Akram, President of Economic and Social Council
Welcoming Remarks:
- H.E. Mr. Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan
Special Remarks:
- Ms. Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General
Fireside chat
Moderator:
- Ms. Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO of the UN Foundation
Speakers:
- H.E. Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Defense of Ecuador, former President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly
- H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and Co-Chair of FACTI Panel
- Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth
- Mr. John Frank, Vice President for UN Affairs of Microsoft
- Mr. Jeffrey Schlagenhauf, Deputy Secretary-General, OECD
Statements from Member States
