Economic and Social Council

2011 Organizational Session

11^th Meeting (PM)

Economic and Social Council Adopts Resolutions Concerning Regional Commissions,

Decision on Transition from Relief to Development

 

The Economic and Social Council today adopted three texts, the first a resolution endorsing the decision of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) to hold its thirty-fourth session in El Salvador during the first half of 2012.

Adopting the resolution by consensus, the Council expressed its gratitude to the Government of El Salvador for its generous invitation.  ECLAC recommended the text for adoption by the Council at its thirty-third session, held in Brasilia from 30 May to 1 June 2010.

In another consensus action, the Council adopted, as orally amended, a resolution by which it took note of a resolution on upgrading the Section for Emerging and Conflict-related Issues of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) to division level, and establishing a governmental committee on emerging issues and development in conflict settings.  ESCWA approved the text for an adoption at its twenty-sixth session, held in Beirut from 17 to 20 May 2010.

The Council Secretary read out a statement noting that the two resolutions had no additional programme budget implications and that resource requirements for implementing them would be reviewed in accordance with established budgetary procedures for the 2012-2013 proposed programme budget.

Following that action, the Council took note of the report containing the resolutions (document E/2010/15/Add.1).

Additionally, the Council decided, by consensus, that the title of its event to discuss the transition from relief to development would be “The role of the United Nations and the international community in supporting the capacity of the Government of South Sudan to manage the transition”.  The event would comprise an informal panel discussion on the morning of 19 July 2011, with no negotiated outcome.

The Council decided to postpone until 26 May elections to fill vacancies in the Commission on Population and Development, the Commission on the Status of Women, and the Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting.

Ecuador’s representative expressed regret at the decision, pointing out that some of the posts had been vacant for two years.

Council President Lazarous Kapambwe (Zambia) said that informal consultations on Bolivia’s proposal to amend article 49, paragraphs 1 (c) and 2 (e) of the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs would likely conclude by week’s end.  He added that he planned to inform members about the outcome of the consultations by letter.

The Council’s Bureau, he said, aimed to hold an informal special event on 7 June on promoting durable peace and sustainable development in South Sudan.  That meeting would provide an opportunity to highlight the importance of development in consolidating peace and promoting coordination and coherence in the United Nations and among partners.

He said the Programme of Action of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, held last week in Istanbul, required the Council to conduct a periodic review as well as annual ministerial reviews on its implementation and coordination.  It also asked the Development Cooperation Forum to carry out regular reviews of trends in international development cooperation, as well as policy coherence for development, including for the least developed countries.  The Council would discuss how to carry those mandates forward at its substantive session in July, he said.

The Council President also provided highlights of the first symposium on “Gearing development cooperation towards the MDGs: effectiveness and results”, held on 5 and 6 May, in preparation for the 2012 Development Cooperation Forum, and the 2011 Conference on the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.

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For information media • not an official record