3 August 2017
ECOSOC President Sets Priority for 2018 Session
UN Photo/Manuel Elías
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The new President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) said her priority is to push forward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Outgoing ECOSOC President Frederick Shava highlighted the importance of aligning the agendas of the UN General Assembly, ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies.

27 July 2017: The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) elected Marie Chatardova, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic, as its President during the opening of its 2018 session. Chatardova said the 2018 ECOSOC Session will focus specifically on how the Council can further support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

2018 ECOSOC President Marie Chatardova stressed her commitment to foster “sustainable, resilient and inclusive societies” and leave no one behind.

Chatardova told Member States the key priority of her Presidency will be to develop “initiatives towards fostering sustainable, resilient and inclusive societies through participation of all,” underscoring her commitment to leave no one behind. She informed delegates that ECOSOC’s 2018 theme, ‘From global to local: supporting sustainable and resilient societies in urban and rural communities,’ will be thematically aligned with the 2018 session of the High-level Political Forum (HLPF), ‘Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies.’ She welcomed Member States’ “enormous interest” in participating in Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs).

On cooperation with civil society and the private sector, Chatardova stressed the Council must do more to ensure civil society participation and secure clear commitments from the private sector. She further emphasized synergies between peace and development and called for enhancing the capacities of national statistical offices.

Reflecting on progress during the 2017 session of ECOSOC, outgoing ECOSOC President Frederick Musiiwa Makamure Shava said “good progress” has been made on eradicating poverty, including through exploring means for promoting sustainable development, expanding opportunities and addressing challenges to leaving no one behind. He recalled Norway’s statement during the 2017 HLPF: “No one can do everything, but we can all do something.” He urged governments, organizations and communities to use this sentiment as a mantra in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Shava further stressed the importance of ECOSOC as a multi-stakeholder platform, saying the Council is “uniquely” positioned at the global level to support efforts to leave no one behind. He called for aligning the agendas of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies.

During its opening session, the Council adopted its provisional agenda (document E/2018/1) and working arrangements (document E/2018/L.1). Prior to the adoption of the working arrangements, Estonia, on behalf of the European Union (EU), recommended the Development Cooperation Forum (DCF) take place before the Forum on Financing for Development (FfD) follow-up or at the very least before the HLPF, explaining that the DCF’s outcome and recommendations are critical for the HLPF. China also supported holding the DCF in advance of the HLPF. [UN Press Release] [UN Meeting Coverage] [E/2018/1]

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