ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL SUSPENDS 2007 SUBSTANTIVE SESSION

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 27 July (UN Information Service) -- The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) this morning suspended its 2007 substantive session, having adopted, over the course of the session, a wide range of texts on, among other things, strengthening the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations, the role of the United Nations in providing full and productive employment and decent work for all, the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child, technical assistance for implementing the international conventions and protocols related to terrorism, living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan, and the role of the Economic and Social Council in the integrated and coordinated implementation of the outcomes of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits.

In concluding remarks to the session, Nikhil Seth, Director of the Office of ECOSOC Support and Coordination at the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, speaking on behalf of Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said the Economic and Social Council had entered a new era.  This substantive session of the Council would be remembered as a turning point.  There were many new signs in this session, from the selection of topical issues, thorough and extensive preparations, and innovative and creative changes in the format of discussions to the new level of engagement by all stakeholders, stronger partnerships through the innovation fair, and interactive dialogue and candid discussions.  The Council’s work in the humanitarian segment had also moved from strength to strength. 

DaliusÇekuolis ( Lithuania), President of the Council, also in concluding remarks, said it had been, in many ways, a ground-breaking substantive session.  Global leaders had envisioned at the 2005 World Summit a Council that was the central platform for realizing the United Nations development agenda, and gave it new functions to enable it to perform that role.  These new functions had been seen at work this year, and they had infused new meaning to the gatherings, turning them into mechanisms to strengthen accountability for the realization of the agreed goals.  The Ministerial Declaration, adopted by consensus, sent the important message that the international community was united in dealing with the obstacles in the realization of Millennium Development Goal One.  However, despite the many achievements, the Council could not rest on its laurels.

During its high-level segment, which was attended by a large number of dignitaries, it was observed that due to strong growth in developing regions over the past few years, an estimated 135 million people had managed to get out of extreme poverty. But the progress attained so far was not sufficient and one could not be complacent.  With regard to the issue of pro-poor sustainable economic growth, policies and measures to translate economic growth into growth that was pro-poor should be determined and shaped by each country’s specific situation, and require international support. Moreover, the current global situation called for international coordination of macroeconomic policies.  On the issue of eradicating poverty and hunger, speakers called for national ownership of strategies, strengthened partnerships for development, and renewed commitment to predictable, targeted, untied Aid.

On development approaches, the Millennium Development Goals and other development goals could not be achieved without increased official development assistance, close partnerships between donor and recipient countries, and a commitment to national ownership on the part of developing countries, speakers agreed.  A number of speakers felt that the empowerment of women was a prerequisite for attaining sustainable national development. Several speakers also felt that the issue of climate change, which had long-term implications on development, and which had a disproportionately greater effect on poorer countries, should be urgently addressed. 

With regard to the launching of the Development Cooperation Forum, speakers expected that the Forum would become an important part of the international discussion on the development cooperation agenda, and the global partnership for development, as well as a crucial mechanism to emphasize the Council’s role as the policy coordination body of the United Nations system for economic, social and environmental matters.

Among the texts adopted were, under its humanitarian segment, a resolution on strengthening the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations and another under its coordination segment on the role of the United Nations in providing full and productive employment and decent work for all. 

In the context of its interaction with the regional commissions, the Council adopted two resolutions, on the review of the inter-Governmental machinery of the Economic Commission for Africa, and on the admission of the Republic of Korea as a Member State of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

With regards to its subsidiary bodies, among others the Council adopted recommendations contained in the reports of the Statistical Commission and the Commission on Population and Development. It also adopted a resolution from the report of the Commission on the Status of Women in which it called upon the international community to continue to provide urgently needed assistance and services in an effort to alleviate the dire humanitarian crisis being faced by Palestinian women and their families, and approved a text on the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child.

Among the wide range of other texts adopted were a decision on the flow of information for the follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society;  technical assistance for implementing the international conventions and protocols related to terrorism; international cooperation for the improvement of access to legal aid in criminal justice systems, particularly in Africa; the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan; granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples; and social development, including new partnerships for Africa’s development.

During this morning’s meeting, the Council adopted, among other things, texts on the role of the Economic and Social Council in the integrated and coordinated implementation of the outcomes of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits, in light of relevant General Assembly resolutions, including resolution 61/16; follow-up to the International Conference on Financing for Development; implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least-Development Countries for the Decade 2001-2010; the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS); the report of the Committee for Development Policy; the United Nations Public-Private Alliance for Rural Development; mainstreaming the gender perspective and on future work to strengthen the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women.

The Council also endorsed the recommendations of the Committee for Development Policy that Samoa be graduated from the list of least developed countries; and recommended that the General Assembly take note of the recommendation.  It decided not to recommend to the General Assembly the inclusion of Papua New Guinea in the list of least developed countries. 

Speaking during the morning meeting were the representatives of Portugal (on behalf of the European Union), United States, Sri Lanka, Chile, Algeria, India, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar and Angola.

Speaking in right of reply were the representatives of the United Kingdom and Argentina.

Action on Resolutions and Decisions

In a resolution on the role of the Economic and Social Council in the integrated and coordinated implementation of the outcomes of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits, in light of relevant General Assembly resolutions, including resolution 61/16 (E/2007/L.32), adopted without a vote, the Economic and Social Council, among other things, reaffirms the need to continue to strengthen the Council as the central mechanism for system-wide coordination and thus promote the integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences in the economic, social and related fields; recognizes the need to further enhance coordination and cooperation between the Council and its functional commissions and subsidiary bodies; requests the functional commissions, the regional commissions and other relevant subsidiary bodies of the Council to continue contributing to the work of the Council; stresses the important contribution of civil society in the implementation of conference outcomes; and requests the Secretary-General to submit a report on the role of the Economic and Social Council in the integrated and coordinated implementation of the outcomes of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits.

In a resolution on the theme of the 2008 coordination segment (E/2007/L.33), adopted without a vote, the Economic and Social Council decides that the coordination segment of the substantive session of the Economic and Social Council of 2008 will focus on the role of the United Nations system in implementing the Ministerial Declaration of the high-level segment of the substantive session of the Council of 2007.

In a resolution on follow-up to the International Conference on Financing for Development (E/2007/L.31), adopted without a vote, the Economic and Social Council, among other things, takes note of the summary by the President of the Economic and Social Council of the special high-level meeting of the Council with the Bretton Woods institutions, the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; reaffirms its resolve to continue to make full use of the existing institutional arrangements for reviewing the implementation of the Monterrey Consensus; requests the President of the Economic and Social Council to initiate consultations on how to enhance the impact of the special high-level meetings of the Council.

In a resolution on the implementation of the Programme of Action for the last developed countries for the Decade 2001-2010 (E/2007/L.36), adopted without a vote, the Economic and Social Council, among other things, urges development partners to fully implement commitments in the Brussels Programme of Action and to exercise individual best efforts to continue to increase their financial and technical support for its implementations; invites the organs, organizations and bodies of the United Nations system and other relevant multilateral organizations to provide full support to and cooperation with the Office of the High Representative for the least developed countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small island Developing States; requests the Secretary-General to ensure the full mobilization and coordination of all parts of the United Nations system to facilitate coordinated implementation as well as coherence in the follow-up and monitoring and review of the Programme of Action at the national, sub regional, regional and global levels; reiterates its request to the Secretary-General to include least developed countries issues in all relevant reports in the economic, social and related fields; and requests the Secretary-General to submit an analytical and results-oriented annual progress report on the further implementation of the Programme of Action. 

In a resolution (E/2007/L.23) on the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), adopted without a vote, the Council urges UNAIDS and the organizations and bodies of the United Nations system to intensify their support to Governments; reaffirms the key role of UNAIDS in supporting national processes that include civil society in a meaningful way; urges Governments, donors and UNAIDS to significantly expand efforts to address inequality and inequity between men and women, gender-based violence, among other issues; emphasizes that the prevention of HIV infection must be the mainstay of national, regional and international responses to the pandemic and the importance of prevention for vulnerable groups; and encourages the efforts towards harmonization, alignment, national leadership and ownership and “making the money work”.

In a resolution (E/2007/L.28) on mainstreaming a gender perspective into all policies and programmes in the United Nations system, adopted without a vote, the Council requests all relevant United Nations entities to maintain their efforts to raise awareness of gender issues within their organizations and across the United Nations system; requests the Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality to continue to provide practical support to its members in gender mainstreaming, explore possibilities for developing an accessible and consolidated database of trained facilitators at the country and regional levels, in consultation with Member States, and report regularly to the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination through its High-level Committee on Programmes and its High-level Committee on Management in order to facilitate the incorporation of gender mainstreaming perspectives into their work; and requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 2008 a detailed report on the implementation of paragraph 4 of Council resolution 2006/36 and on progress made in the implementation of the present resolution.

In a resolution (E/2007/L.34) on the report of the Committee for Development Policy on its ninth session, adopted without a vote, the Council takes note of the report of the Committee, endorses the recommendation of the Committee regarding the additional guidelines on the process for inclusion in and graduation of countries from the list of least developed countries, in order to clarify and enhance the transparency of the existing procedures; and takes note of the decision of the Committee to establish guidelines to monitor the progress of graduated countries, as provided for in General Assembly resolution 59/209.

In a resolution on the report of the Committee for Development Policy on its eighth session (E/2007/L.35), adopted without a vote, the Economic and Social Council, among other things, requests the Commission for Development Policy to continue to develop a consistent set of criteria that could be applied to all recommendations regarding the inclusion in and graduation from the list of least development countries, with due account being taken of economic vulnerability as a structural characteristic of the least developed countries; endorses the recommendations of the Committee that Samoa be graduated from the list of the least developed countries; and recommends that the General Assembly takes note of the recommendation of the Committee that Samoa be graduated from the list of least developed countries.

The Council adopted an oral decision in which it decided not to recommend to the General Assembly the inclusion of Papua New Guinea in the list of least developed countries.

In a resolution (E/2006/L.37) on the United Nations Public-Private Alliance for Rural Development, adopted without a vote, the Council reaffirms its resolve to create an environment that is conducive to sustainable development and the elimination of poverty, and invites Governments of the pilot countries to further consult with the private sector with a view to strengthening public-private partnerships in support of the Millennium Development Goals; encourages national and international development partners involved with public-private partnerships to share their experiences and best practices; calls for further dissemination of information and strengthening of global advocacy in favour of the pilot countries; and requests the Secretary-General to submit a report to the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 2009 on the implementation of the work of the United Nations Public-Private Alliance.

In a resolution on future work to strengthen the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (E/2007/L.29), adopted without a vote, the Economic and Social Council, among other things, reaffirms the specific mandate of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women to conduct research and training for gender equality and the empowerment of women; requests the Institute to strengthen its training and research activities in order to contribute to the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals; stresses the critical importance of voluntary financial contributions by Member States to the United Nations Trust Fund for the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women to enable it to carry out its mandate; and requests the Institute to continue its efforts, including by developing a medium- and long-term resource mobilization strategy, so that current and potential donors devote a greater interest to the core budget and consider commitments to multi-year funding.

Comment on Integrated Implementation of Outcomes of UN Conferences and Summits

VANESSA GOMES (Portugal), speaking on behalf of the European Union in an explanation of the vote after the vote, said that the European Union was committed to the strengthening of the Council as the central mechanism for the system-wide coordination and implementation of the outcomes to major UN conferences in the economic, social and related fields.  The organization of the Annual Ministerial Review and the launch of the Development Cooperation Forum had made concrete steps towards two of the three aspects of this strengthening.  The European Union was looking forward to the discussions held on the adaptation of the work of the Council as the third pillar of this strengthening. 

Comments on Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)

RICHARD T. MILLER ( United States), speaking in an explanation of the vote after vote, said that the United States emphasized the strategies to combat HIV/AIDS.  Delayed start of sexual activities, abstinence and partner reduction for sexually active adults were all factors which could help halt the spread of HIV/AIDS.  The United States supported interventions that were responsive to local needs and distinctive local and social patterns. 

O. L. AMEERAJWAD ( Sri Lanka), speaking in an explanation of the vote after vote, said that Sri Lanka wanted to thank the delegation of Thailand for introducing the resolution.  Sri Lanka had successfully managed to control the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  The communicable diseases were under control.  The country was also responding to those who were already affected.  The low infection figures were due to good access to health service, low number of drug abuses and a better social position of women.  The Government had taken many measures to address HIV/AIDS prevention.  HIV/AIDS posed one of the most formidable challenges facing societies around the world.  Sri Lanka was honoured to be hosting the 8th international AIDS conference of Asia and Pacific next year in Colombo.  This conference should become a landmark conference in the region. 

Comments on Mainstreaming Gender Perspective in United Nations System

JUAN MARTABIT ( Chile), in a general comment, said Chile placed great importance on the mainstreaming of the gender issue throughout the United Nations system.  This instrument was of great use, and would increase coherence and coordination, and when implemented should ensure a more egalitarian and comprehensive system.  With regards to recent initiatives adopted in the United Nations system, on achieving cross-cutting gender perspectives, Chile welcomed the nomination of the Special Adviser for gender issues and diversity by UNICEF.  This example could be emulated by other agencies in the system, as it not only promoted a gender perspective among United Nations staff, but also promoted diversity.

CATARINA CARVALHO (Portugal), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said promoting gender equality reduced poverty, stimulated growth, and helped to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.  The European Union had always emphasized the importance of the gender perspective.    There should be enhanced results at the country level as well as the global level, and the current situation was fragmented.  The European Union was convinced that it was essential to gain true added value, and strive to create a strong new entity that would create synergies, and work more visibly and coherently.  There should be more than the mere application, instead there should be a bringing together of the normative and architectural functions, so that the new entity would be able to assist States to fill the gaps, where they requested such aid.  The normative, analytical and rights-based approach of the United Nations should be strengthened, and a catalytic role ensured for the programming support of the new entity.  The European Union was convinced that the structure of a new gender entity should follow on what the Council wished it to do, and that its structure and staffing should flow from this.  By joining all efforts, swift progress could be made towards enhancing gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide. 

Comment on Report of Committee for Development Policy

FRANCISCO XAVIER ESTEVES (Portugal) speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the European Union acknowledged the importance of the Committee for Social Development, in particular its work on climate change and least developed countries, which the European Union believed were very important to help achieve sustainable development. 

Comments on Samoa’s Graduation from List of Least Developed Countries

Mr. ESTEVES (Portugal) speaking in a general comment on behalf of the European Union, said that the European Union welcomed the remarkable development progress made in recent years by Samoa, and congratulated the steps it had taken at the national and global levels, on the process of graduation from the list of least developed countries.  At the same time, the European Union wished to express its full support to the three-year period of the smooth transition.  The European Union reaffirmed the importance of the independent profile of the Committee for Development Policies experts, and took again the opportunity to recognize the relevance of the Committee’s findings, including regarding the inclusion of countries in and graduation from the list.  The European Union also wished to re-emphasize that graduation from the list should be regarded as a positive development for a country’s economy.  The improvement of the situation in the least developed countries, and the graduation of Cape Verde, Maldives and now Samoa gave more enthusiasm and determination in strengthening the fight against poverty and at the same time strengthened the credibility of the list of the least developed countries.

IDRISS JAZAIRY ( Algeria), speaking in a general comment, welcomed the adoption of the resolution L.35.  The need to ensure the recognition by the international community for the efforts undertaken by least developed countries, particularly in Africa where the growth rate was difficult, was important.  Those countries graduating must not be punished but rewarded and encouraged.  There was a need for a transition strategy that should be harmonious.  The qualitative transformation of the assistance should be ensured.  Many of the least developed countries in Africa could thus be rewarded for their efforts to improve the situation of their population.  

ARINDAM BAGCHI ( India), speaking in a general comment, welcomed the adoption of the resolution, and wished to extend support to Samoa on its graduation and the process thereafter.  The emphasis on the economic vulnerability criteria in the resolution was noted as a key issue. 

ALFREDO CABRAL ( Guinea-Bissau), in a general comment, welcomed the success of Samoa in graduating from the list of least developed countries.  Poverty was not a fatality.  Each country should mange on the resources available in the country.  When a country had good governance with democratic and viable institutions, the fight against poverty could lead to impressive results.  Sustaining and supporting the efforts of Samoa was important so that it could continue with its remarkable progress.  Samoa would not only need attention from the international community but also active support.  There was a new trend within the least developed countries, to make an effort to be able to reach the level required in order to eradicate poverty.

Comment on United Nations Public-Private Alliance for Rural Development

ZINA RANARIVELO-RAZAFY (Madagascar), speaking in a general comment, said that as the first pilot country of this project, Madagascar welcomed the adoption of the resolution and wanted to thank all delegations that had participated in an active way in the negotiations, in particular the representative from the Benin delegation.

AUGUSTO MAKIEKE ( Angola) expressed gratitude and thanks to the Government of Benin for its resolution, as well as to Madagascar, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, and Ethiopia and the Secretariat of the Council.  Angola was entering a period of economic growth which followed several decades of conflict.  To become stable, this required economic development in the agricultural sector as well as others, to increase employment, trade exchanges, and the relationship between all sectors.  Angola recognized the importance of the private sector, non-governmental organizations and civil society in implementing the decisions of the United Nations in various fields of cooperation, and wished to serve as a pilot country for the United Nations Rural Alliance.

Right of Reply

RICHARD LEE SMITH (United Kingdom), speaking in a right of reply, said that with regard to remarks from Argentina on the issue of sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, the United Kingdom’s position was well known.  The United Kingdom had no doubt over its sovereignty on the Falkland Island.  There could be no negotiations on the sovereignty the Falkland Island, unless and until such time as the Islanders so wished.  The principle of self-determination was fundamental to the process of decolonization. 

ERNESTO MARTINEZ GONDRA (Argentina), speaking in a right to reply, said the United Kingdom had recalled once again the position of the United Kingdom, which did not appear to correspond to the General Assembly resolution which invited States parties to involve themselves in negotiations on the status of the Falkland Islands and their waters.  This resolution invited the United Kingdom and Argentina to engage in peaceful negotiations to determine a peaceful solution.  The principle of self-determination, as recognized in international case law and General Assembly resolutions did not recognize that this status applied to the Falkland Islands.  This was so because in 1983 the United Kingdom forcibly expelled the Argentine population, putting in their place British citizens. 

Concluding Remarks

NIKHIL SETH, Director of the Office of ECOSOC Support and Coordination, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, speaking on behalf of Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said in concluding remarks that the Economic and Social Council had entered a new era.  This substantive session of the Council would be remembered as a turning point.  There were many new signs in this session, from the selection of topical issues, thorough and extensive preparations, and innovative and creative changes in the format of discussions to the new level of engagement by all stakeholders, stronger partnerships through the innovation fair, and interactive dialogue and candid discussions.  There were five clear messages.  First, national development strategies were working but not at the pace required.  The implementation process needed to be accelerated and scaled-up.  Second, the global partnership should be made pro-development in all its dimensions.  Third, the global economic environment should be made pro-development and pro-poor.  Fourth, monitoring the implementation of commitments and accountability should be strengthened.  Finally, emerging threats -- like climate change and desertification -- that hampered efforts to realize these goals, should be addressed urgently. 

There were four clear messages that had come out of the discussions during the launch of the Development Cooperation Forum this year, Mr. Sha’s statement said.  First, a key challenge in cooperating for development lay in making the process truly country-driven and inclusive.  Second, predictable and stable funding coupled with effective monitoring of aid quality should be seen as essential components of efforts to enhance the impact of development cooperation.  Third, the growing importance of South-South and triangular cooperation could not be overemphasized.  Finally, broad agreement existed on a number of principles on promoting effective and coherent international development cooperation.  The spirit of partnerships was a defining feature of the substantive interaction session.  The other segments of the Council covered a wide range of issues, from employment generation, humanitarian operations and the Triennial Comprehensive Policy Review to countries emerging from conflict. 

The Council’s work in the humanitarian segment had moved from strength to strength, Mr. Sha’s statement said.  Clear guidance had been provided by the Council on capacity-building of national, local and regional organizations; broader partnerships among humanitarian organizations; the incorporation of a gender perspective in humanitarian operations; and the need to improve humanitarian stand-by capacities.  Some issues required urgent action, including, among other things, that the innovation, energy and dynamism that had been witnessed in the high-level segment needed to permeate other segments as well; and that countries should convene regional consultations for the Annual Ministerial Review and symposia for the Development Cooperation Forum, as these would help in broadening the engagement of various actors. 

Speaking for himself, Mr Seth said that over the years, the process of the transformation of the Council had been seen.  The Council’s present session had helped to dispel the myths around it.  Looking at the agenda of past years, including the United Nations development agenda, the operational activities for development, the link between peace and development, one could see that the agenda was the most important one.  ECOSOC was up to speed to the concerns of the international community.  Some items had been deferred, but they were insignificant compared to those items that had been deferred in the past.

DALIUSÇEKUOLIS ( Lithuania), President of the Council, said it had been, in many ways, a ground-breaking substantive session.  Some had argued in the past that there were two possible future scenarios for the Council: one was for it to gradually drift towards irrelevance and oblivion; the other was for it to thoroughly renew itself in order to fully meet the high expectations under which it was established.  This session had contributed to promoting the second scenario.  At the 2005 World Summit, leaders had sent an unmistakable message: the time to convert existing promises into concrete progress was now.  The “global partnership for development” should be converted into more than a catchy slogan, and be turned into reality so as to address the most pressing development issues of the day, particularly poverty and hunger.

To this end, leaders had envisioned a Council that was the central platform for realizing the United Nations development agenda, and gave it new functions to enable it to perform that role.  These new functions had been seen at work this year, and they had infused new meaning to the gatherings, turning them into mechanisms to strengthen accountability for the realization of the agreed goals.  By selecting related themes for the Annual Ministerial Review and the thematic discussion, the Council had effectively tackled one of the fundamental issues of development, poverty eradication, from various perspectives.  The Ministerial Declaration, adopted by consensus, sent the important message that the international community was united in dealing with the obstacles in the realization of Millennium Development Goal One.

The agreement to further extend the Council’s Ad Hoc Advisory Groups on Guinea-Bissau and Haiti was a clear recognition of the useful contribution the Council could make by promoting an integrated approach in the area of post-conflict peace-building.  The session had covered a broad array of issues, from the promotion of full employment and decent work to the challenge of ensuring more stable and predictable funding for United Nations system development activities, from the use of military assets in natural disaster relief, to humanitarian financing mechanisms.  Despite the many achievements, the Council could not rest on its laurels.  The positive outcome of the session reflected both the thorough preparations and the full and active engagement by all stakeholders throughout the process.  It was absolutely critical for the success of next sessions that all stakeholders remained actively engaged in their preparations and the session itself. 

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