Professional Documents
Culture Documents
On
“International Economic Organization”
“The Economic and Social Council of United Nations
(ECOSOC)”
Prepared by :
1. Krishna Trivedi (22F82)
2. Malhar Dodhiya (22F83)
3. Mansi Panchal (22F84)
4. Matin Sandhi (22F85)
We hereby declare that the work incorporated in this Project Report on ECOSOC
in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of M.B.A (Semester Iv) is the
result of our original research and has not been submitted previously. We hereby
certify that we are the sole author of this project work and that it has not been
submitted to any other university or institution for credit. We believe that, to the
best of our knowledge and beliefs, the project work does not violate copyright or
ownership, and that ideas and techniques from other people's work are included in
our project documentation. We declare that this is an exact replica of Our project
work.
The success of the presentation and report required a great deal of guidance;
preparing a project of this nature is a difficult task, and we were fortunate enough
to receive assistance from a large number of people, to whom we will be eternally
grateful. Dr Yogesh Joshi was in charge of everything we did and accomplished.
We would like to thank Sir for guiding us in the best way possible. We were
thankful that we were able to deliver and do it well. All of this would not have
been possible without the tremendous team effort put in by our team members
Krishna, Malhar, Mansi, Matin.
PREFACE
In the following pages, readers will journey through the historical context
that gave rise to ECOSOC, the dynamic interplay of its functional
commissions, and the pivotal role it plays in shaping policies that drive
sustainable development. The study places particular emphasis on
achievements that exemplify ECOSOC's influence on global progress while
candidly addressing the challenges that persist, calling for continued
reflection and adaptation to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.
CONTENTS
Chapter 2 : OBJECTIVES
2.1 OBJECTIVES Of The Study
2.2 OBJECTIVES OF ECOSOC
This study delves into the pivotal role played by the Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC) within the framework of the United Nations, focusing
on its mandate to foster international cooperation in the realms of economic
and social development. By scrutinizing the functions, achievements, and
challenges faced by ECOSOC, this analysis seeks to illuminate the
council's impact on shaping a more equitable and prosperous world. As we
stand on the cusp of unprecedented global challenges, understanding the
nuances of ECOSOC's work becomes imperative for policymakers,
scholars, and stakeholders alike.
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) stands as one of the six
principal organs of the United Nations, playing a pivotal role in advancing
international economic and social cooperation. Established by the UN
Charter in 1945, ECOSOC serves as a central platform for addressing a
myriad of global challenges, promoting sustainable development, and
fostering inclusive economic growth. This report provides a comprehensive
overview of the ECOSOC's mandate, structure, functions, and the impact it
has had on shaping the socio-economic landscape of the world.
The Economic and Social Council is at the heart of the United Nations
system to advance the three dimensions of sustainable development –
economic, social and environmental. It is the central platform for fostering
debate and innovative thinking, forging consensus on ways forward, and
coordinating efforts to achieve internationally agreed goals. It is also
responsible for the follow-up to major UN conferences and summits.
History of ECOSOC
The history of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
is intertwined with the broader narrative of the United Nations (UN) and its
efforts to promote global cooperation and development. Here's a brief
overview of key milestones in the history of ECOSOC:
Evolution of ECOSOC:
● Statistical Commission
Over the years, CPD has emerged as a vital platform for fostering
collaboration and exchange among governments, international
organizations, and civil society actors working in the field of population
and development. Through its regular sessions, which transitioned to
annual meetings in 1994, CPD facilitates dialogue, knowledge-sharing,
and the formulation of evidence-based policies and programs aimed at
addressing pressing population challenges.
At its core, CSTD is tasked with providing the General Assembly and
ECOSOC with high-level advice and policy recommendations, thereby
facilitating informed decision-making and strategic planning at the global
level. By analyzing emerging trends, identifying best practices, and
proposing innovative solutions, the Commission serves as a catalyst for
transformative action, driving progress towards sustainable development
and inclusive growth.
Among the notable subunits housed within the Statistics Division is the
United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN), also
known as the United Nations Conference on the Standardization of
Geographical Names (UNCSGN). This specialized unit plays a pivotal role
in standardizing geographical names across languages, alphabets, and
cultures, thereby facilitating communication and collaboration on a global
scale.
The Bureau:
Chairpersonship
1947 Canada
1st Herbert Marshall
(January)
Membership:
The commission comprises 40 member states elected by the Economic
and Social Council distributed amongst the various regional groups: 12 for
African states, 9 for Asian states, 8 for Latin American and Caribbean
states, 4 for Eastern European states and 7 for Western European and
other states. Members are elected in overlapping three-year terms. The
current members are as follows:
Latin American
Eastern Western
African Asia-Pacific &
Term European European &
states (12) states (9) Caribbean
states (4) Other states (7)
states (8)
India
Algeria Brazil Austria
Iran (Islamic
Burkina Cuba France
2019 Republic of) Belarus
Faso Ecuador United
– 21 Iraq Vacant
Eswatini Guatemala States of America
Kuwait
Nigeria Mexico Turkey
Thailand
Egypt
Eritrea
Germany
Kenya Afghanistan Bolivia
Mauritania Bulgaria (Plurinational Italy
2018 China United
Mauritius Russian State of)
– 20 Indonesia Kingdom of Great
Morocco Federation Colombia
Japan Britain and
South Uruguay
Northern Ireland
Africa
Togo
Member countries:
Algeria Algeria
Angola Angola
Benin Benin
Botswana Botswana
Burkina Faso Burkina Faso
Burundi Burundi
Cape Verde Cape Verde
Cameroon Cameroon
Central African Republic Central African Republic
Chad Chad
Comoros Comoros
Congo Congo
DR Congo DR Congo
Djibouti Djibouti
Egypt Egypt
2. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
(ESCAP): The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) holds a prominent position as one of
the five regional commissions operating within the purview of the
United Nations Economic and Social Council. Established with the
overarching goal of stimulating economic activity in Asia and the Far
East while fostering robust economic relations between this vast
region and other global counterparts, ESCAP plays a crucial role in
advancing regional cooperation and development.
Members:
Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina Argentina
Bahamas Bahamas
Barbados Barbados
Belize Belize
Bolivia (Plurinational State of) Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
Brazil Brazil
Canada Canada
Chile Chile
Colombia Colombia
Costa Rica Costa Rica
Cuba Cuba
Dominica Dominica
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic
Ecuador Ecuador
El Salvador El Salvador
France France
Germany Germany
Grenada Grenada
Guatemala Guatemala
Guyana Guyana
Haiti Haiti
Honduras Honduras
The Expert Bodies and Expert Groups of the United Nations Economic and
Social Council (ECOSOC) are specialized entities composed of experts
from member states, international organizations, academia, civil society,
and the private sector. Here's a brief overview:
These Expert Bodies and Expert Groups play a crucial role in supporting
ECOSOC's work by providing technical expertise, conducting research and
analysis, and making recommendations to advance international
development goals and objectives. They contribute to evidence-based
policymaking, promote dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders, and
help address complex development challenges facing the global
community.
Ad Hoc Advisory Groups and Task Forces of ECOSOC:
Ad Hoc Advisory Groups and Task Forces play a vital role in supporting
ECOSOC's work by providing expertise, facilitating collaboration, and
generating innovative solutions to complex development challenges. They
contribute to evidence-based policymaking, promote dialogue among
stakeholders, and help advance ECOSOC's mandate of promoting
economic and social progress worldwide.
Meetings:
France
Kenya Haiti Germany
Mauritani Japan Paragua Liechtenstei
a Poland
2024 – y n
2026[11][12] Nigeria Nepal Vacant[note
1] Surinam Spain
Senegal Pakistan e Turkey
Zambia Uruguay United
Kingdom
Botswana
Cape China
Brazil Denmark
Verde Laos
2023 – Slovakia Colombia New
Cameroo Qatar
2025 Slovenia Costa Zealand
n Republic of
Rica Sweden
Equatorial Korea
Guinea
Côte
Afghanistan [note Belgium
d'Ivoire 2][14]
Belize Italy
2022 – Tunisia Croatia
India Chile Canada
2024[13] Tanzania Oman Czechia
Peru United
Eswatini Kazakhstan States
Mauritius
The Bureau of the Economic and Social Council is elected by the Council
at large in July. The Bureau's main functions are to propose the agenda,
draw up a programme of work and organize the session with the support of
the United Nations Secretariat.
Vice-Presidents of ECOSOC:
● His Excellency Akan RAKHMETULLIN, Permanent Representative of
Kazakhstan;
● His Excellency Ivan ŠIMONOVIĆ, Permanent Representative of
Croatia;
● His Excellency Bob RAE, Permanent Representative of Canada
● His Excellency Tarek LADEB, Permanent Representative of tunisia
RESEARCH METHADOLOGY
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) deals with economic, social,
cultural and health matters as well as human rights and fundamental
freedoms. It also coordinates the work of the UN and the specialized agencies.
Chapter X, Articles 61-72, of the UN Charter concern ECOSOC.
ECOSOC consists of 54 members, 18 of which are elected each year by the
General Assembly for a three-year term.
The Rules of Procedure of the Economic and Social Council are contained in
document E/5715/Rev.2 (Sales number 92.I.22). Background information about
the work of the Council can be retrieved from the Repertory of Practice of United
Nations Organs.
Under General Assembly resolution 68/1, ECOSOC shifted its work programme to
a July-July cycle; it continues to hold one substantive and one organizational
session per year. Its substantive session is divided into the following segments:
● High-level segment
● Operational activities for development segment
● Humanitarian affairs segment
● Integration segment
In addition to the above segments, the Council also holds coordination and
management meetings and financing for development meetings during its
substantive session.
The organizational session is now held in July; previously it was held in
February.
The basic format for the symbols of ECOSOC documents is:
● example: E/1046
The 2024 Coordination Segment will take place at a critical juncture. In addressing
the main annual theme of the 2024 session, “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: The
effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions”, the Segment
will build on the work of the ECOSOC system to coordinate and promote
coherence of their action in follow up to the Political Declaration of the 2023 SDG
Summit, and provide contributions to the work of the Council and the HLPF,
particularly the reviews of SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 13
(climate action), SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) and SDG 17
(partnerships for the Goals), to take place at the 2024 HLPF. The Segment will
take into account major trends that are shaping the current context – including the
renewal of global governance, the surge of AI and other frontier technologies in a
rapidly evolving digital landscape, and the aggravation of climate change – and
seek to contribute to the discussions in major upcoming events in 2024, with
particular attention to the preparatory process and outcomes of the Summit of the
Future.
1. Harness the opportunities that changes in the labour market bring and
manage the challenges they pose to decent work;
2. Explore the opportunities and limitations of technological advances and
digitalization, including AI, and its impacts on the labour market while
addressing the challenges of the digital divide;
3. Identify policy options for advancing skills acquisition to build resilience
and increase adaptation to labour transitions, with a view to accelerating
progress on the SDGs;
4. Distill targeted efforts toward vulnerable groups such as women, youth and
migrants.
OUTCOME
The outcome of the meeting will be a summary by the President of ECOSOC,
which will aim to serve as an input to the 2024 Summit of the Future and
potentially to the World Social Summit if convened in 2025.
STATEMENTS
DOCUMENTATION
● Programme
● Bios
● Information Note for Participants
● Briefing on Logistic Information
The Coordination Segment, chaired by H.E. Mr. Akan Rakhmetullin (Kazakhstan),
Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council, will take place on 31 January
– 1 February 2024 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The Segment will feature
Chairs of ECOSOC functional commissions and expert bodies, Executive
Secretaries of regional commissions, and Heads of UN system entities, including
specialized agencies.
The 2024 Coordination Segment will take place at a critical juncture. In addressing
the main annual theme of the 2024 session, “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: The
effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions”, the Segment
will build on the work of the ECOSOC system to coordinate and promote
coherence of their action in follow up to the Political Declaration of the 2023 SDG
Summit, and provide contributions to the work of the Council and the HLPF,
particularly the reviews of SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 13
(climate action), SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) and SDG 17
(partnerships for the Goals), to take place at the 2024 HLPF. The Segment will
take into account major trends that are shaping the current context – including the
renewal of global governance, the surge of AI and other frontier technologies in a
rapidly evolving digital landscape, and the aggravation of climate change – and
seek to contribute to the discussions in major upcoming events in 2024, with
particular attention to the preparatory process and outcomes of the Summit of the
Future.
1. Bring the ECOSOC system together and discuss their role in accelerating the
implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
2. Align the work of the ECOSOC system with the follow up to the Political
Declaration of the 2023 SDG Summit.
3. Ensure an enhanced contribution by the ECOSOC system to the HLPF,
the Summit of the Future and other intergovernmental processes in the
economic, social, environmental, health and related fields.
The Council then elected Guatemala and Qatar by acclamation to the Commission
for Social Development for a four-year term beginning at the first meeting of the
Commission’s sixty-third session in 2024 and expiring at the close of the
Commission’s sixty-sixth session in 2028.
The Council then elected Algeria by acclamation to complete the term of office of
Mauritania on the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP),
beginning on 1 January 2024 and expiring on 31 December 2025.
Background
The Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries
(LLDCs) will be held from 18 to 21 June 2024, in Kigali, Rwanda, in accordance
with General Assembly resolutions 76/217, 77/246 and 77/329. The Conference
will undertake a comprehensive appraisal of the implementation of the Vienna
Programme of Action, which was adopted by the second United Nations
Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries held in Vienna, Austria in 2014.
In its resolution 77/246, the General Assembly also requested the President of the
General Assembly and the President of the Economic and Social Council to
organize a half-day dedicated thematic event in the second half of 2023 in order to
provide substantive input to the Conference.
Participants
Member States, Observers, UN System, non-governmental organizations in
consultative status with the ECOSOC, other relevant Non-Governmental
Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, academic institutions and the private
sector.
Programme Overview
The High-Level Opening of the event will feature statements by the President of
General Assembly, the President of Economic and Social Council, the Deputy
Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Under Secretary-General and High
Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing
Countries and Small Island Developing States, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of
the Republic of Botswana, as representative from a landlocked developing country
and in capacity as Chair of LLDCs.
Following the opening segment, three keynote speakers will be invited to address
the meeting. Then, Member States will deliver general statements on their
priorities for the next 10- year Programme of Action for the LLDCs.
There will be no pre-established list of speakers. Time limits for interventions will
be three (3) minutes for individual delegations, and five (5) minutes for
interventions on behalf of a group of States. For planning purposes, delegations are
requested to register their expressions of interest to speak through e-deleGATE.
The event will also feature interventions from representatives of relevant
stakeholders. The event will end with a short closing segment.
The Committee has 19 members who are elected on the basis of equitable
geographical representation:
The term of office of its members is four years. The current terms of reference of
the Committee are set out in ECOSOC resolution 1996/31. In its proceedings the
Committee is guided by the rules of procedure of the Council.
For the period 2023-2026, members of the NGO Committee are the following:
Algeria, Armenia, Bahrain, Cameroon, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Eritrea,
Georgia, India, Israel, Liberia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Turkey, United Kingdom,
United States of America, Zimbabwe.
Related documents:
The 2024 Coordination Segment will take place at a critical juncture. In addressing
the main annual theme of the 2024 session, “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: The
effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions”, the Segment
will build on the work of the ECOSOC system to coordinate and promote
coherence of their action in follow up to the Political Declaration of the 2023 SDG
Summit, and provide contributions to the work of the Council and the HLPF,
particularly the reviews of SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 13
(climate action), SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) and SDG 17
(partnerships for the Goals), to take place at the 2024 HLPF. The Segment will
take into account major trends that are shaping the current context – including the
renewal of global governance, the surge of AI and other frontier technologies in a
rapidly evolving digital landscape, and the aggravation of climate change – and
seek to contribute to the discussions in major upcoming events in 2024, with
particular attention to the preparatory process and outcomes of the Summit of the
Future.
1. Bring the ECOSOC system together and discuss their role in accelerating the
implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
2. Align the work of the ECOSOC system with the follow up to the Political
Declaration of the 2023 SDG Summit.
3. Ensure an enhanced contribution by the ECOSOC system to the HLPF,
the Summit of the Future and other intergovernmental processes in the
economic, social, environmental, health and related fields.
Image
Background
The 2024 Partnership Forum of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) was
held on 30 January 2024 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York under
the theme of “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of
multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative
solutions”. The Forum placed a special emphasis on the Sustainable Development
Goals that will be reviewed at the 2024 HLPF, namely Goal 1 (no poverty); Goal 2
(zero hunger); Goal 13 (climate action); Goal 16 (peace and justice); and Goal 17
(partnership for the Goals).
In accordance with resolution 75/290A, the 2024 ECOSOC Partnership Forum was
focused on the exchange of new ideas, expectations and priorities for the work
ahead for ECOSOC and the HLPF on the aforementioned theme. It will showcase
and discuss forward-looking actions by countries and all relevant stakeholders
through innovative partnerships that could mobilize commitments and actions to
advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and address new
challenges.
BACKGROUND
The ECOSOC will convene a special meeting of the Council on “The future of
work: towards a productive, inclusive and sustainable global society to take place
on 23-24 January 2024 at the Headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin
America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in Santiago, Chile.
These global trends, together with institutional and policy changes, have benefited
some sectors of the labour market while creating disruption in others particularly
for the most vulnerable groups, including low-skilled workers and those in the
informal sector.
Gender gaps and barriers to women’s full and equal participation in the world of
work still persist and the growth of the informal sector has resulted in precarious
employment and limited access to social protection.
1. Harness the opportunities that changes in the labour market bring and
manage the challenges they pose to decent work;
2. Explore the opportunities and limitations of technological advances and
digitalization, including AI, and its impacts on the labour market while
addressing the challenges of the digital divide;
3. Identify policy options for advancing skills acquisition to build resilience
and increase adaptation to labour transitions, with a view to accelerating
progress on the SDGs;
4. Distill targeted efforts toward vulnerable groups such as women, youth and
migrants.
OUTCOME
The outcome of the meeting will be a summary by the President of ECOSOC,
which will aim to serve as an input to the 2024 Summit of the Future and
potentially to the World Social Summit if convened in 2025.
STATEMENTS
DOCUMENTATION
● Programme
● Bios
● Information Note for Participants
● Briefing on Logistic Information
What?
In accordance with General Assembly resolution 72/305, “the meetings of the
management segment will, in principle, last no more than two days, twice per
cycle”. At the 2024 session, the Management Segment meetings are scheduled to
take place on 5 and 6 June, and 23 and 24 July 2024, respectively. The Council
will also hold elections to fill vacancies in its subsidiary and related bodies at
dedicated management meetings on 9 April 2024.
Who?
Participants at the Management Segment are Member States, representatives of the
Council’s functional commissions and expert bodies, regional commissions and
United Nations agencies, funds and programmes.
How?
The programme of the Management Segment meetings is structured around action
that ECOSOC is expected to take on economic, social, environmental, health and
related matters, including by recommendation of its subsidiary and related bodies.
Annotated agenda of the 2024 session of the Economic and Social Council
Webcast:
Webcast:
Background
Theme: "Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at
all levels."
Under the main theme of the 2023 ECOSOC and the High-level Political Forum on
Sustainable Development (HLPF), “Accelerating the recovery from the
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development at all levels”, the 2023 ECOSOC Partnership Forum
will bring together UN Member States and stakeholders – from civil society, the
private sector, scientists, women, youth, local governments and many others – to
discuss innovative efforts that are driving action on the UN Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) and to highlight the contributions that partnerships can
make in this regard.
An analytical summary will be prepared to capture the key policy messages of the
Forum along with the messages of the Coordination Segment, which will serve as
an input to the July 2023 HLPF and the 2023 SDG Summit as well as the overall
work of the ECOSOC and other key inter-governmental processes throughout
2023.
For more information, including on its preparatory process and format, please refer
to the latest concept note.
Participation:
Stakeholders(NGOs and others) could register to attend either virtually or in-
person. Registration for in-person participation is now closed.
Virtual participation is still open until 12:00 noon (EST), Monday, 30 January
2023. Register for virtual participation .
For in-person participation, please note that the Forum is open to all those holding
a valid UN Ground Pass, no additional registration is needed.
WHAT?
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum will take place from
25 to 27 April 2023 in a hybrid format.
The Forum provides a platform for young people to engage in a dialogue with
Member States and other actors to voice their views, concerns and galvanize
actions on how to transform the world into a fairer, greener and more sustainable
place guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Youth Forum will address the theme of ECOSOC and the 2023 UN High-level
Political Forum on sustainable development (HLPF) on “Accelerating the recovery
from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development at levels”. It will also review progress in the
areas of clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7),
industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), sustainable cities and
communities (SDG 11), and partnerships for the goals (SDG17).
The Youth Forum will also gather young people to share their recommendations
and innovative ideas in preparation of the SDG Summit, to be held under the
auspices of the General Assembly, in September 2023. It will also aim to
complement other intergovernmental meetings, such as the upcoming UN Water
Conference (March 2023), the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework (May
2023) and the second part of the LDC-5 Conference (March 2023).
WHO?
The 2023 ECOSOC Youth Forum is convened by the President of ECOSOC and
co-organized by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), and the
Office of the Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth, in collaboration with the United
Nations Inter Agency Network on Youth Development (IANYD), and co-
convened by the Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY) and the
International Coordination Meeting of Youth Organizations (ICMYO), with
technical inputs from youth-led and youth-focused organizations relevant to the
theme of the forum.
Youth leaders from around the world will have the opportunity to engage with
government representatives, youth delegates, policymakers and other relevant
stakeholders in civil society and the private sector.
HOW?
The three-day event will feature plenary sessions as well as interactive thematic
and regionally based discussions. Young people are invited to share best practices,
lessons learned, solutions as well as creative and innovative ideas with Member
States, other youth participants and stakeholders on the implementation of the 2030
Agenda and on the sustainable development goals under review in the Economic
and Social Council and the High-level Political Forum in July 2023. They will also
have the opportunity to contribute to the preparatory process of the SDG Summit
on 27 April 2023.
Side events will take place virtually and in-person from 25 to 27 April 2023.
Information
● Concept Note
● Programme
● Press Release
● Informal Summary
● Logistical Information for Participants
● Key Takeways from the Youth & the SDGs Online Consultation: Young
People’s Proposals for the 2023 SDG Summit
● Presidential Statement
Side Events
of the Economic and Social Council. This includes the three-day ministerial
segment of the forum from Wednesday, 13 July, to Friday, 15 July 2022.
The high-level segment of the Council concluded with a final day on Monday, 18
July 2022.
The HLPF adopted the Ministerial Declaration as the outcome of its session. The
President of ECOSOC will also prepare a summary to capture the key messages of
the discussions. For more information, click here.
The theme for the 2022 HLPF is “Building back better from the coronavirus
disease (COVID-19) while advancing the full implementation of the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development ”.
As the world is struggling to recover from COVID-19 amidst continuing crises, the
HLPF reflected on how recovery policies can reverse the negative impacts of the
pandemic on the SDGs and move countries on to a path to realize the vision of the
2030 Agenda.
The HLPF also reviewed in-depth Sustainable Development Goals 4 on quality
education, 5 on gender equality, 14 on life below water, 15 on life on land, and 17
on partnerships for the Goals. It took into account the different impacts of the
COVID-19 pandemic across all Sustainable Development Goals and the integrated,
indivisible and interlinked nature of the Goals.
● They have not had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 in the last 5 days,
including symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, influenza etc.
● They have not had a positive COVID-19 test result in the last 5 days.
● Guests of Member States, Observers and UN system organizations are
required to be vaccinated.
● The person/entity sponsoring the guests’ entry into the UNHQ is responsible
for verifying the guest’s vaccination status prior to entry.
● The use of masks in common spaces at UNHQ (elevators, restrooms,
hallways, cafeterias, meeting and conference rooms) is strongly
recommended.
HLPF Timeline
HLPF in Numbers
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum will take place
from 16 to 18 April 2024 at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
The Forum provides a global platform for dialogue among Member States and
young leaders from around the world on solutions to challenges affecting youth
wellbeing. It also serves as a unique space for young people to share their vision
and actions as well as provide an opportunity to advance youth solutions to
accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
The 2024 Forum’s discussions will be guided by the overall theme of the 2024
ECOSOC and HLPF on “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in
times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and
innovative solutions”.
The discussions will take place around the SDGs under review at the 2024 HLPF,
namely, no poverty (SDG 1), zero hunger (SDG 2), climate action (SDG 13),
peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16), and partnerships for the goals
(SDG 17).
The Youth Forum will also gather young people to share their recommendations
and innovative ideas in preparation of the Summit of the Future, to be held under
the auspices of the General Assembly, in September 2024.
As per the report on agriculture development, food security and nutrition, the
number of people suffering acute food insecurity increased from 135 million in
2019 to 345 million in 82 countries by June 2022, as the war in Ukraine, supply
chain disruptions, and the continued economic fallout of the pandemic pushed food
prices to all-time highs. Projections show that almost 600 million people will still
suffer from hunger in 2030. Global food insecurity had already been rising, due in
large part to climate phenomena. Global warming is influencing weather patterns,
causing heat waves, heavy rainfall, and droughts. Rising food commodity prices in
2021 were a major factor in pushing approximately 30 million additional people in
low-income countries toward poverty and food insecurity. At the same time, the
way that food is often produced today is a big part of the problem. It’s recently
been estimated that the global food system is responsible for about a third of
greenhouse gas emissions—second only to the energy sector; it is the number one
source of methane and biodiversity loss. Up to a certain point, rising temperatures
and CO2 can be beneficial for crops. But rising temperatures also accelerate evapo-
transpitration from plants and soils, and there must also be enough water for crops
to thrive.
For areas of the world that are already water-constrained, climate change is
increasingly causing adverse impacts on agricultural production through
diminishing water supplies, increases in extreme events like floods and severe
storms, heat stress, and increased prevalence of pests and diseases. Food insecurity
is intricately linked to poverty and without solutions, falling crop yields, especially
in the world’s most food-insecure regions, will push more people into poverty – an
estimated 73 million people in Asia alone could fall below the poverty line by
2030 as a result.
OBJECTIVES:
The main objective of this event is to identify the nexus of poverty (SDG1), food
insecurity (SDG2) and climate change (SDG13) and how partnerships (SDG17)
can find solutions on several bottlenecks impeding greater progress. Policy and
institutional fragmentation between levels, actors and sectors often do not consider
the impacts of climate on food scarcity and eventually on poverty. Funding gaps
and fragmentation impede progress across levels, while data and information often
are not available or not shared between sectors and across borders for effective and
informed decision making. During this event, we will explore how a changing
climate is affecting the foods we eat and pushing vulnerable population towards
poverty.
We will dove into region-specific examples and find strategies we need for a
sustainable food system. We will also learn how we can use the common ground of
food to help make climate change relevant to everyone. This event is an effort
towards capacity building regarding the impact of climate change on food security
as well as steps to tackle and lead sustainable lifestyles through building resilience,
knowledge, and understanding of the crisis of food security.
Title: Strengthening UNESCO's Collaborative Efforts in India:
Introduction:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization, collaborates with various stakeholders in India to achieve its
mission of fostering peace, sustainable development, and intercultural
dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and
information. This report aims to highlight some key partnerships and
initiatives undertaken by UNESCO in India for better results.
Government Partnerships:
UNESCO works closely with the Government of India, particularly with the
Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change, and other relevant ministries. Collaborative efforts
include policy advice, capacity-building programs, and the implementation
of UNESCO's initiatives within national frameworks.
Corporate Partnerships:
International Organizations:
Case Studies:
Conclusion:
UNESCO and India have worked together to preserve and promote India's
rich cultural heritage, including historical sites, monuments, and intangible
cultural practices.
Initiatives such as the restoration of heritage sites, documentation of
intangible cultural heritage, and capacity building for heritage management
have been undertaken.
Statistical Data:
Key Findings:
Digital Divide:
The report underscores the widening digital divide, particularly in low-
income and rural areas, where access to technology and digital resources
remains limited. This gap exacerbates inequalities in educational
opportunities and outcomes.
Remote Learning:
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote learning,
revealing both its potential and its limitations. While digital platforms offer
flexibility and accessibility, they also amplify disparities in access to
technology and digital literacy skills.
Quality Education:
UNESCO stresses the importance of maintaining quality standards in
digital education. Effective teacher training, curriculum development, and
assessment strategies are essential to ensure that digital learning
experiences are engaging, effective, and aligned with learning objectives.
Lifelong Learning:
The report advocates for a shift towards lifelong learning paradigms, where
individuals continuously acquire and update skills to adapt to rapidly
changing technological landscapes. Digital platforms play a crucial role in
facilitating lifelong learning opportunities for people of all ages.
Digital Literacy:
Promoting digital literacy skills is paramount to empower learners to
navigate the digital world critically and responsibly. Initiatives aimed at
enhancing digital literacy should target both students and educators,
equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the digital
age.
Recommendations:
Policy Reform:
Governments are urged to prioritize digital infrastructure development and
invest in initiatives that bridge the digital divide, ensuring equitable access
to technology and digital resources for all learners.
Teacher Training:
Comprehensive teacher training programs should be implemented to equip
educators with the pedagogical and technical skills necessary to effectively
integrate digital tools into their teaching practices.
Curriculum Adaptation:
Education systems must adapt their curricula to incorporate digital literacy
competencies and promote critical thinking, creativity, and digital
citizenship skills among students.
Public-Private Partnerships:
Collaborative efforts between governments, educational institutions, and
private sector stakeholders are essential to leverage technology effectively
and address the challenges of digital education comprehensively.
Conclusion:
Key Findings:
It highlights the need for holistic education that integrates sustainability
principles, critical thinking skills, and practical experiences to equip youth
with the knowledge and capabilities to tackle complex issues.
Implications:
Overview:
This research paper explores the implications of digital technologies for the
preservation and promotion of cultural heritage worldwide.
Key Findings:
It identifies challenges such as digitization gaps, data privacy concerns,
and the risk of cultural commodification. However, it also highlights
opportunities, including wider access to cultural resources, new forms of
cultural expression, and enhanced collaboration among cultural institutions.
Implications:
The paper emphasizes the need for policies and strategies that balance
technological innovation with ethical considerations to safeguard cultural
diversity and heritage for future generations.
Overview:
This research paper explores the role of science diplomacy in addressing
global challenges and promoting peaceful relations among nations.
Key Findings:
It examines successful examples of science diplomacy initiatives, such as
collaborative research projects, joint scientific expeditions, and science-
based policy dialogues, in areas such as climate change, health, and
disaster risk reduction.
Implications:
The paper underscores the potential of science diplomacy to build trust,
bridge cultural divides, and foster cooperation in addressing shared
challenges, while also highlighting the need for sustained investment in
science education and cross-border scientific collaboration.
Conclusion:
UNESCO's latest study and research papers underscore the organization's
commitment to advancing knowledge, fostering international cooperation,
and promoting sustainable development across its mandate areas of
education, science, culture, and communication. By addressing pressing
global challenges and highlighting opportunities for collaboration, these
publications contribute to building a more resilient and inclusive world for
present and future generations.
Study Overview:
The study conducted by UNESCO delves into the integral role of education
in fostering sustainable development. It explores how education can
empower individuals and communities to become active participants in
sustainable practices, addressing issues such as environmental
conservation, social equity, and economic development.
Key Findings:
Lifelong Learning:
UNESCO emphasizes the need for lifelong learning opportunities to
ensure that individuals across all age groups can acquire sustainability-
related competencies. This includes formal education, vocational training,
and informal learning initiatives tailored to diverse learner needs.
Gender Equality:
UNESCO's study underscores the importance of gender equality in
education as a prerequisite for sustainable development. Empowering girls
and women through education not only promotes social justice but also
enhances resilience to environmental and economic shocks.
Research Paper:
In conjunction with the study, UNESCO has published a research paper
titled "Education for Sustainable Development: Pathways to a Resilient
Future." This paper synthesizes empirical evidence, case studies, and
policy recommendations to guide stakeholders in advancing ESD initiatives
globally. It emphasizes the role of partnerships between governments, civil
society, academia, and the private sector in mainstreaming sustainability in
education systems.
Conclusion:
UNESCO's latest study and research paper underscore the transformative
potential of education in advancing sustainable development goals. By
advocating for holistic approaches to education that encompass
environmental stewardship, social justice, and economic prosperity,
UNESCO continues to champion efforts towards a more equitable and
resilient future for all.
Introduction:
Various Rules:
Ethical Standards:
Adherence to ethical standards is paramount in all activities undertaken by
UNESCO and its affiliated entities. Rules regarding integrity, impartiality,
and ethical conduct are strictly enforced to maintain the organization's
credibility and trustworthiness.
Partnership Engagement:
UNESCO encourages collaboration with governments, civil society
organizations, academia, and the private sector to maximize the impact of
its initiatives. Rules governing partnership engagement outline criteria for
selecting partners and establishing mutually beneficial relationships based
on shared goals and values.
Conflict Resolution:
In cases where conflicts arise, UNESCO has established procedures for
conflict resolution and mediation to ensure that disputes are resolved
peacefully and in accordance with the organization's principles of dialogue
and cooperation.
Conclusion:
UNESCO's new policy reflects its commitment to promoting peace,
sustainable development, and cultural understanding in a rapidly changing
world. By prioritizing inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation, the
organization aims to address the complex challenges facing humanity while
safeguarding the planet's rich cultural and natural heritage. Through the
implementation of various rules and guidelines, UNESCO seeks to uphold
the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in
pursuit of its noble mission.