28 January 2013: The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has elected Néstor Osorio, Permanent Representative of Colombia to the UN, as its 69th President.

At the ceremony in New York, US, on 28 January 2013, Wu Hongbo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said the transition towards sustainable development is “not optional, but is inevitable,” noting in particular current patterns of unsustainable consumption. He highlighted the importance of 2013 for related issues, including the shaping of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the launch of a process on financing for sustainable development, and discussions on the High-level Political Forum (HLPF). Wu encouraged Osorio to use his leadership to ensure that ECOSOC takes advantage of these negotiations and other opportunities following the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).

Osorio said he wished to narrow the gap between UN discourse on pressing issues, and the people affected. He emphasized the need to re-make ECOSOC into a more effective body, and outlined seven areas for reform. Finally, Osorio noted ECOSOC’s focus in the coming year on UN system-wide initiatives, including the post-2015 development agenda and follow-up to Rio+20. He said, “maintaining an intense commitment to the Rio+20 follow-up work is surely a crucial part of walking the talk we had in Rio,” and spoke of the Council’s “key role” in integrating the poverty eradication agenda with sustainable development. [ECOSOC Meeting Summary] [Statement of Incoming ECOSOC President] [UN Press Release] [Webpage of ECOSOC President]