Economic and Social Council Elects Members to 15 Subsidiary Bodies, Nominates 7 Candidates for Programme, Coordination Committee
The Economic and Social Council opened the management meetings of its 2019 session today with the election of members to several subsidiary bodies.
In its first action, the Council elected by secret ballot Zuriswa Zingela (South Africa) to the International Narcotics Control Board, from among candidates nominated by the World Health Organization (WHO), for a term beginning on 2 March 2020 and expiring on 1 March 2025. In two secret balloting rounds, it then elected five members who had been nominated by Governments: Jagjit Pavadia (India), Jallal Toufiq (Morocco), César Tomás Arce Rivas (Paraguay), Bernard Leroy (France) and Viviana Manrique Zuluaga (Colombia).
Turning to the Statistical Commission, the Council elected by acclamation Brazil, Czech Republic, Georgia, Madagascar, Sierra Leone and the United States to a four-year term beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2023.
Turning next to the Commission on Population and Development, it elected by acclamation Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Turkmenistan and Ukraine to a four-year term beginning at the first meeting of the Commission’s fifty-fourth session in 2020 and expiring at the close of its fifty-seventh session in 2024.
It postponed the election of one member from the African States, one member from the Latin American and Caribbean States, and two members from the Western European and other States. It elected Israel and Jamaica for a term beginning on the date of election and expiring at the close of the Commission’s fifty-sixth session in 2023.
In addition, it postponed the election of one from the Asia-Pacific States, for a term beginning on the date of election and expiring at the close of the Commission’s fifty-fourth session in 2021, and one from the African States and one from the Asia Pacific States, for a term beginning on the date of election and expiring at the close of its fifty-fifth session in 2022.
For the Commission for Social Development, the Council elected by acclamation the following eight members for a four-year term beginning at the first meeting of its fifty-ninth session in 2020 and expiring at the close of its sixty-second session in 2024: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Iran, Japan, Libya, Nigeria, Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation. Austria was elected for a term beginning on the date of election and expiring at the close of the Commission’s sixty-first session in 2023. In a secret ballot for the Latin American and Caribbean region, Cuba was elected for a four-year term beginning at the first meeting of its fifty-ninth session in 2020 and expiring at the close of its sixty-second session in 2024.
The Council postponed elections to fill vacancies from the Western European and Other States as follows: two for a term expiring at the close of the Commission’s fifty-ninth session in 2021; and one for a term expiring at the close of the fifty-eighth session in 2020, as well as two outstanding vacancies from the Asia-Pacific States, for a term expiring at the close of the Commission’s sixty‑first session in 2023, with all terms beginning on the date of election.
To a question by the representative of Venezuela, Council Vice-President Mona Juul (Norway) replied that the United States delegate had requested a vote on the candidate from the Latin American and Caribbean States to the Commission for Social Development. The representative of the Russian Federation expressed regret over a vote on candidacy that was agreed upon by the regional group, which is an inefficient use of the Organization’s resources.
The representative of China expressed displeasure over the United States’ challenge to Council practice, stressing that the candidate had been endorsed by the regional group. He cautioned against politicization and introducing matters of bilateral relations into the elections, calling on all delegates to respect the endorsement by the Latin American and Caribbean States.
Turning to the Commission on the Status of Women, the Council elected Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, Mexico, Mongolia, Philippines, Russian Federation, Senegal, Somalia and Switzerland for a four-year term beginning at the first meeting in 2020 of the Commission’s sixty-fifth session and expiring at the close of its sixty-eighth session in 2024.
Next, the Council elected the following 18 members to its Commission on Narcotic Drugs for a term beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2023: Austria, Angola, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United States. In secret ballots, the Council elected, on behalf of the Asia-Pacific States: Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Japan, Bahrain, Nepal, Turkmenistan, China and Thailand; and on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean States: Mexico, El Salvador, Jamaica, Uruguay, Peru and Ecuador, for the same term.
The Council then nominated by acclamation six members for election by the General Assembly to the Committee for Programme and Coordination beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2022: China, Comoros, Liberia, Mauritania, Republic of Korea and Uruguay. It postponed the nomination of one member from the Asia-Pacific States for election by the General Assembly.
It also nominated Paraguay by acclamation to the Committee for a term beginning on the date of election by the General Assembly and expiring on 31 December 2021, filling an outstanding vacancy from the Latin American and Caribbean States.
Turning to the Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues, the Council elected Vital Bambanze (Burundi), Grigory E. Lukiyantsev (Russian Federation, Bornface Museke Mate (Namibia), Tove Søvndahl Gant (Denmark) and Zhang Xiaoan (China) for a term beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2022. In a secret ballot for the Latin America and Caribbean States, the Council elected Irma Peneda Santiago (Mexico) and Loudres Tibán Guala (Ecuador).
Speaking prior to those actions, the United States delegate voiced serious concern about the inappropriate conduct of China’s so-called independent expert Zhang Xiaoan, stressing that, at the recent Permanent Forum session, China and the expert sought to undermine a widely respected human rights defender and stifled a voice from Uyghur society. Such behaviour undermines respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Stressing that China’s bullying and Ms. Xiaoan’s political partiality contradict the norm of experts who are objective and support the Forum, she said China’s Communist Party demonstrates hostility to organized religion. The conduct of its expert at the Permanent Forum is part of a trend to exploit United Nations bodies. She expressed alarm over the more than 1 million Uyghurs and others who have suffered arbitrary detention, torture and other abuse in the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region. “These atrocities must be stopped,” she said, calling on Member States to bear this in mind.
The representative of China rejected such defamation, clarifying that the so-called Uyghur person mentioned by the United States delegate is a terrorist designated by China’s Government, but supported by the United States, which is using him to defame China — without basis. During the Forum’s session, the person’s statements related to China were “totally untrue”. China protects the rights, culture and languages of minority groups — a consistent policy — as seen in the dual-language education system in minority regions. To questions about the impartiality of the Chinese expert, he said “we are confident this Chinese expert will work impartially, objectively and neutrally in the Forum to discharge independent duties as an international expert”. Moreover, diplomats and representatives of international organizations who have visited the Xinjiang region have remarked that what they had witnessed is “totally different” from how the situation is covered in the media. The United States has no right to criticize China on this matter, he said, pointing out that indigenous groups in Hawaii have accused the United States of depriving indigenous peoples of their rights.
Moving on to the Executive Board of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Council elected by acclamation China, Estonia, Ireland, Norway, Russian Federation, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Yemen and Zimbabwe for a term beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2022. In a secret ballot, it elected Cuba and Paraguay for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 2020.
Asked by the representative of Venezuela which delegation had requested the vote on the candidate from the Latin American and Caribbean States, the Council Vice-President replied that the United States had requested the vote.
The Council elected by acclamation New Zealand and the Republic of Moldova to complete the Executive Board terms of Italy and Belarus, beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2020, as well as Japan, Germany and Spain to complete the terms of Australia, France and Luxembourg, respectively, beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2021.
Next, the Council elected the following countries by acclamation to the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme/United Nations Population Fund/United Nations Office for Project Services for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2022: Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Japan, Kuwait, Norway, Peru, Somalia and the United States. It also elected Switzerland and Finland to complete the terms of Monaco and the United Kingdom, beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2020 — and Austria to complete Belgium’s term, beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2021.
The Council then elected 17 members to the Executive Board for the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) for a three-year term, beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2022: Brazil, Burundi, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germany, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Madagascar, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Sierra Leone and Switzerland. It postponed the election of one member of the Latin American and Caribbean States for the same term.
Belgium and Canada were elected to complete the terms of Ireland and Turkey, respectively, for a term beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2021.
Turning to the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP), the Council elected Australia, Burundi, Madagascar, Spain and Turkmenistan by acclamation for a three-year term, beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2022. To a question by the representative of Venezuela, the Vice‑President replied that the United States had requested a secret ballot for the election of members from “List C” to the Executive Board.
The representative of Cuba voiced regret that the United States had requested a vote on the Latin America and the Caribbean States’ candidate for the UNICEF Executive Board and the Commission on Social Development. Stressing that Cuba has much to contribute to United Nations subsidiary bodies, having achieved an infant mortality rate below that of the United States, she objected to the lack of respect demonstrated by the United States and asked countries to support Cuba’s candidacy.
The Council then elected Austria by acclamation to complete Switzerland’s term on the World Food Programme Executive Board for a term beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2021. In a secret ballot, it elected Cuba to the World Food Programme Executive Board for a three-year term, beginning on 1 January 2020.
Turning next to the Programme Coordinating Board of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Council elected by acclamation Belarus, El Salvador, France, Kenya, Tunisia and the United States to a three-year term beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2022.
It postponed the election of two members from the Asia-Pacific States for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 2020. It elected Luxembourg and Switzerland to complete the terms of Belgium and Sweden, respectively, beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2021.
For the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, the Council elected Madagascar to a term beginning on the date of election and expiring on 31 December 2022. It postponed the election to the Commission of one member from the Latin American and Caribbean States for the same term.
The Council elected Cambodia by acclamation to the Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting for a term beginning on the date of election and expiring on 31 December 2021.
It postponed the election of one member from the African States, two members from the Asia-Pacific States, two members from the Latin American and Caribbean States and seven members from the Western European and Other States, for a term beginning on the date of election and expiring on 31 December 2020. It likewise postponed the election of one member from the African States and one member from the Latin American and Caribbean States for a term beginning on the date of election and expiring on 31 December 2021.
Rounding out the day, the Council elected by acclamation Côte d’Ivoire, Fiji, Indonesia and Lebanon to the Committee for the United Nations Population Award, for a term beginning on the date of election and expiring on 31 December 2021. It postponed the election of one member from the Latin American and Caribbean States for the same term.
The Economic and Social Council will reconvene at a date and time to be announced.
Voting Results
International Narcotics Control Board, Nominated by World Health Organization
|
Number of ballots: |
54 |
|
Number of invalid ballots: |
0 |
|
Number of Valid ballots: |
54 |
|
Abstentions: |
1 |
|
Members present voting: |
53 |
|
Majority required: |
27 |
|
Number of votes obtained: |
|
|
Zuriswa Zingela (South Africa) |
21 |
|
Olayinka Olusola Omigbodun (Nigeria) |
19 |
|
Custódia das Dores Isac Mandihate (Mozambique) |
13 |
Since none of the candidates obtained the required majority, the Council held a second round of balloting to fill one seat on the International Narcotics Control Board.
In a restricted second balloting round, the results were as follows:
|
Number of ballots: |
54 |
|
Number of invalid ballots: |
0 |
|
Number of valid ballots: |
54 |
|
Abstentions: |
0 |
|
Members present voting: |
54 |
|
Majority required: |
28 |
|
Number of votes obtained: |
|
|
Zuriswa Zingela (South Africa) |
35 |
|
Olayinka Olusola Omigbodun (Nigeria) |
19 |
Having achieved the required majority, Ms. Zingela was elected to the International Narcotics Control Board for a term beginning on 2 March 2020 and expiring on 1 March 2025.
International Narcotics Control Board, Nominated by Governments
|
Number of ballots: |
54 |
|
Number of invalid ballots: |
0 |
|
Number of Valid ballots: |
54 |
|
Abstentions: |
0 |
|
Members present voting: |
54 |
|
Majority required: |
28 |
|
Number of votes obtained: |
|
|
Jagjit Pavadia (India) |
44 |
|
Jallal Toufiq (Morocco) |
32 |
|
César Tomás Arce Rivas (Paraguay) |
31 |
|
Viviana Manrique Zuluaga (Colombia) |
27 |
|
Bernard Leroy (France) |
26 |
|
Ana da Conceicão dos Passos Mamede Graça (Angola) |
23 |
|
Wei Hao (China) |
23 |
|
Abdelhady Negm (Egypt) |
17 |
|
Viroj SUmyai (Thailand) |
14 |
|
Mohammad Mehdi Gouya (Iran) |
7 |
|
Jonathan Lucas (Seychelles) |
7 |
|
Ogbonna Okechukwu Onovo (Nigeria) |
7 |
|
Abubaker M. M. Taia (Libya) |
2 |
|
Milovan D. Ivanovic (Serbia) |
2 |
|
Slavica Vucinic (Serbia) |
1 |
Having obtained the necessary majority, Jagjit Pavadia (India), Jallal Toufiq (Morocco) and César Tomás Arce Rivas (Paraguay) were elected to the International Narcotics Control Board for a five-year term beginning on 2 March 2020 and expiring 1 March 2025.
In a restricted second balloting round, the results were as follows:
|
Number of ballots: |
54 |
|
Number of invalid ballots: |
0 |
|
Number of Valid ballots: |
54 |
|
Abstentions: |
0 |
|
Members present voting: |
54 |
|
Majority required: |
28 |
|
Number of votes obtained: |
|
|
Bernard Leroy (France) |
31 |
|
Viviana Manrique Zuluaga (Colombia) |
31 |
|
Ana da Conceicão dos Passos Mamede Graça (Angola) |
24 |
|
Wei Hao (China) |
19 |
Having obtained the required majority, Bernard Leroy (France) and Viviana Manrique Zuluaga (Colombia) were elected to the International Narcotics Board for a five-year term beginning on 2 March 2020 and expiring on 1 March 2025.
Statistical Commission — Asia Pacific States
|
Number of ballots: |
54 |
|
Number of invalid ballots: |
0 |
|
Number of Valid ballots: |
54 |
|
Abstentions: |
0 |
|
Members present voting: |
54 |
|
Majority required: |
28 |
|
Kuwait |
41 |
|
Republic of Korea |
41 |
|
Iran |
22 |
Having obtained the required majority, Kuwait and the Republic of Korea were elected to the Statistical Commission for a four-year term beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2023.
Commission for Social Development — Latin American and Caribbean States
|
Number of ballots: |
54 |
|
Number of invalid ballots: |
0 |
|
Number of Valid ballots: |
54 |
|
Abstentions: |
3 |
|
Members present voting: |
51 |
|
Majority required: |
26 |
|
Number of votes obtained: |
|
|
Cuba |
50 |
|
Uruguay |
1 |
Having obtained the necessary majority, Cuba was elected by the Commission for Social Development for a four-year term beginning at the first meeting of its fifty-ninth session in 2020 and expiring at the close of its sixty-second session in 2024.
Commission on Narcotic Drugs — Asia Pacific States
|
Number of ballots: |
54 |
|
Number of invalid ballots: |
0 |
|
Number of Valid ballots: |
54 |
|
Abstentions: |
0 |
|
Members present voting: |
54 |
|
Majority required: |
28 |
|
Number of votes obtained: |
|
|
Kazakhstan |
48 |
|
Pakistan |
48 |
|
Japan |
46 |
|
Bahrain |
44 |
|
Nepal |
44 |
|
Turkmenistan |
44 |
|
China |
43 |
|
Thailand |
43 |
|
Iran |
33 |
Having obtained the necessary majority, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Japan, Bahrain, Nepal, Turkmenistan, China and Thailand were elected to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs for a four-year term beginning 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2023.
Commission on Narcotic Drugs — Latin American and Caribbean States
|
Number of ballots: |
54 |
|
Number of invalid ballots: |
0 |
|
Number of valid ballots: |
54 |
|
Abstentions: |
0 |
|
Members present and voting: |
54 |
|
Majority required: |
28 |
|
Number of votes obtained: |
|
|
Mexico |
49 |
|
El Salvador |
48 |
|
Jamaica |
47 |
|
Uruguay |
46 |
|
Peru |
44 |
|
Ecuador |
43 |
|
Guatemala |
29 |
|
Argentina |
1 |
Having obtained necessary majority, Mexico, El Salvador, Jamaica, Uruguay, Peru and Ecuador were elected to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs for a four-year term beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2023. The Council postponed the election of two members from the African States for a four-year term beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2023.
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues — Latin American and Caribbean States
|
Number of ballots: |
54 |
|
Number of invalid ballots: |
1 |
|
Number of Valid ballots: |
53 |
|
Abstentions: |
0 |
|
Members present voting: |
53 |
|
Majority required: |
27 |
|
Number of votes obtained: |
|
|
Irma Peneda Santiago (Mexico) |
46 |
|
Loudres Tibán Guala (Ecuador) |
30 |
|
Tarcila Rivera Zea (Peru) |
29 |
Having obtained the necessary majority, Irma Peneda Santiago (Mexico) and Loudres Tibán Guala (Ecuador) were elected to the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 2020 and expiring on 31 December 2022.
The Council postponed the election to the Permanent Forum of one member from the Eastern European States for the same three-year term.
Executive Board of the United Nations Children’s Fund — Latin American and Caribbean States
|
Number of ballots: |
54 |
|
Number of invalid ballots: |
0 |
|
Number of Valid ballots: |
54 |
|
Abstentions: |
0 |
|
Members present voting: |
54 |
|
Majority required: |
28 |
|
Number of votes obtained: |
|
|
Cuba |
50 |
|
Paraguay |
49 |
|
Uruguay |
1 |
Having obtained the necessary majority, Cuba and Paraguay were elected to the Executive Board for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 2020.
World Food Programme — List C
|
Number of ballots: |
54 |
|
Number of invalid ballots: |
0 |
|
Number of Valid ballots: |
54 |
|
Abstentions: |
0 |
|
Members present voting: |
54 |
|
Majority required: |
26 |
|
Number of votes obtained: |
|
|
Cuba |
50 |
Having obtained the necessary majority, Cuba was elected from “List C” to the World Food Programme Executive Board for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 2020.