Economic and Social Council Fills Vacancies on Subsidiary Bodies, Postpones Some Elections until Later Dates
The Economic and Social Council filled outstanding vacancies on five of its subsidiary bodies today, electing all new members by acclamation.
Israel and Portugal were elected to fill two outstanding positions on the Commission for Social Development, effective immediately and lasting until the end of that body’s fifty-seventh session in 2019. Postponed until a later date were elections for five members from the Group of Western European and other States, one from the Group of Eastern European States and two from the Group of African States, for terms of varying duration.
The Council elected Hungary and Slovakia to serve on the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, effective immediately and lasting until 31 December 2019.
It also elected Bangladesh to fill the remaining seat on the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP), beginning immediately and ending on 31 December 2018.
Norway was elected to complete Denmark’s term on the Programme Coordinating Board of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), effective immediately and expiring on 31 December 2017.
The Council elected Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and South Africa to the Governing Council of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), with immediate effect and lasting until 31 December 2019. It postponed elections to fill outstanding vacancies for nominees of the Western European and other States, including two for durations ending on 31 December 2016, two for periods expiring on 31 December 2018 and one for a term running until 31 December 2019.
Kazakhstan was elected to the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission, effective immediately and lasting until 31 December 2016.
Before adjourning today’s meeting, Economic and Social Council Vice-President Jürg Lauber (Switzerland) said the regular round of elections for the Council’s subsidiary bodies would take place during the Coordination and Management Meeting scheduled for 4 to 6 April.
The Economic and Social Council will reconvene at a date and time to be announced.