General Assembly Elects Three States to Economic and Social Council
In a single secret ballot today, the General Assembly elected Australia, Finland and Switzerland to the Economic and Social Council, the body responsible for addressing global economic, social and environmental challenges.
The Assembly had before it a letter from the Permanent Representative of Switzerland (document A/69/522).
The by-elections for three vacancies in the Economic and Social Council filled the unexpired term of office of Canada, Denmark and New Zealand commencing 1 January 2015 and expiring on 31 December 2015 in the case of Canada, and expiring on 31 December 2016 in the case of the Denmark and New Zealand.
Voting Results
|
Number of ballot papers: |
162 |
|
Number of invalid ballots: |
0 |
|
Number of valid ballots: |
162 |
|
Abstentions: |
4 |
|
Number of Members present and voting: |
158 |
|
Required majority: |
106 |
|
Number of votes obtained by country: |
|
|
Australia |
155 |
|
Finland |
154 |
|
Switzerland |
149 |
|
Luxembourg |
1 |
Australia was thus elected for a term of office beginning 1 January 2015 and concluding on 31 December 2015, and Finland and Switzerland were elected for a term beginning on 1 January 2015 and ending on 31 December 2016.
The current members of the West European and other States regional group represented on the Economic and Social Council would therefore, in addition to the three newly elected members, consist of Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, San Marino, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States.
The Assembly will meet again at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 11 November, to take up cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations.