Economic and Social Council

2007 Organizational Session

11^th Meeting (PM)

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL FINALIZES PREPARATIONS FOR 2007 SUBSTANTIVE SESSION,

TO BE HELD IN GENEVA, 2-27 JULY

Finalizing preparations for its 2007 substantive session, the Economic and Social Council this afternoon nailed down themes for the discussions to take place during its annual three-week meeting, to be held this year at the United Nations Office at Geneva, from 2 to 27 July.

At today’s organizational meeting, the Council decided that the theme for the substantive session’s item on regional cooperation would be “Regional aspects of the themes of the high-level segment of the Economic and Social Council’s 2007 substantive session”. 

Earlier, the Council decided that the thematic discussion would be on “Strengthening efforts at all levels to promote pro-poor sustained economic growth, including through equitable macroeconomic policies”; and that the theme for the Annual Ministerial Review would be “Strengthening efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger, including through the global partnership for development”.

The decision was largely based on a compromise proposal by the Council’s President, DaliusČekuolis (Lithuania), who noted that there was no consensus on amendments to a theme proposed by the regional commissions [“Regional dimension of strengthening efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger, including through partnership for development at regional level”].  His proposal provided a “wide, inclusive basis for a good dialogue”, he said, and would not only solve the current year’s problem, but could also be helpful for coming years. 

Before the Council took that decision, several amendments were discussed by the representatives of Pakistan (on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China), Germany (on behalf of the European Union), United States and Russian Federation.

The Council also decided that, on 13 July, an informal half-day event would be organized, entitled “Economic and Social Council event to discuss relief to development”.  The event would not have a negotiated outcome.

In other matters, the Council decided on the participation of non-governmental entities in the work of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development.  Business sector entities that had been accredited to the World Summit on the Information Society could participate in that Commission on an exceptional basis, without prejudice to the established rules of procedure.  Non-governmental organizations and civil society entities, not in consultative status with the Council but accredited to the World Summit on the Information Society, could also on an exceptional basis participate in the next two meetings of the Commission, on the understanding that they will apply for consultative status with the Council.

In explanation of position, the representative of Japan said his country had joined the consensus based on its understanding that Council members had agreed that International Telecommunication Union (ITU) sector members could participate in the Commission’s work.

The Council postponed consideration of a report of the Committee for Development Policy regarding Samoa’s graduation from the list of least developed countries until late May, after short procedural remarks were made by the representatives of Benin (on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China), the United States and Germany (on behalf of the European Union).

The Economic and Social Council will meet again at a date and time to be announced.

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For information media • not an official record