Economic issues

With global crises and the destructive effects of climate change continuing to threaten not only global socio-economic development, but also the world’s very existence, developed countries must assume their “historic responsibility” to help their developing counterpart bridge existing imbalances and gaps, many speakers said today, as the Second Committee continued its general debate.

With the global economy fragile and on an uneven path to recovery, the world’s development needs, especially those of its most vulnerable people, must take centre stage in all fiscal policies and stimulus plans, Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, told the Second Committee today, as it began its annual general debate.

Poverty eradication and other development issues, climate change and the international financial and trade systems were among key topics approved for consideration by the General Assembly’s Second Committee this afternoon as it adopted its organization of work for the sixty-fifth session.

The Economic and Social Council this morning decided that the inaugural election of the 41 members of the Executive Board of the new entity for gender equality would be held “as soon as possible and by early November 2010”.

With the adoption of 15 resolutions and three oral decisions spanning questions of international development cooperation, decolonization, human rights and the promotion of decent work, the Economic and Social Council concluded today what its President called a “groundbreaking” 2010 substantive session.

The Economic and Social Council today continued the work of its general segment today, adopting by consensus 10 resolutions and 7 decisions broadly aimed at strengthening crime prevention measures, tackling illegal narcotics trade and extending effective social protections to the world’s most vulnerable populations, especially in the wake of crises.

With dramatic socio-economic and geographic stresses increasing urban poverty and slowing efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, the Economic and Social Council today adopted eight consensus decisions that envisioned a world in which economic progress, social advancement and environmental protection were mutually reinforcing elements of sustainable development.

Expressing deep concern about the grave situation of Palestinian women in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, resulting from Israeli occupation, the Economic and Social Council adopted a text today urging continued international attention to promote and protect their human rights, as well as intensified measures to improve their difficult conditions.

In any country, the devastating legacy of conflict — death, disease, population displacement and capital flight — could erase hard-won development gains and States emerging from such situations must manage myriad and often competing priorities in order to meet all eight of the Millennium Development Goals, high-level United Nations officials stressed today.

In a world virtually ruled by new technologies and with millions of people obsessed with instant access to information through mobile networks and the Internet, cybersecurity must be placed high on the United Nations agenda, warned Economic and Social Council Vice-President Somduth Soborun of Mauritius.