The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has commenced a new annual cycle. In an inaugural statement, the incoming President of ECOSOC outlined his priorities for the year, calling on Member States to remain strong, resolute, courageous, and full of determination in tackling global challenges.

Robert Rae, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN, from the Western European and Other States (WEOG), was elected President of ECOSOC for the 2025 session, succeeding Paula Narváez Ojeda, Permanent Representative of Chile.

Addressing the Council at the first plenary meeting of its 2025 session, on 25 July 2024, Rae set his agenda for the rest of the session, which will run from 25 July 2024 to 30 July 2025. Among his priorities, he highlighted:

• Dealing with the crisis of displacement due to conflict, climate change, and inequalities;
• Addressing artificial intelligence (AI), including by bridging the digital divide and making sure “those who were left behind in the digital revolution are not left behind in the AI revolution”; and
• Deepening engagement between ECOSOC and international financial institutions (IFIs) to address gaps in financing for development (FfD) and for fragile and conflict-affected countries.

He indicated that these priorities are guided by the theme of the 2025 session, ‘Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind.’ In 2025, the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), convened under the auspices of ECOSOC, will carry out in-depth review of SDGs 3 (good health and well-being), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 14 (life below water), and 17 (partnerships for the Goals).

Among the themes that will “weave through” discussions throughout the year, Rae mentioned equality, freedom, solidarity, and dignity that, he said, are “the foundation of peace, development, and human rights.” He indicated that the Summit of the Future in September, the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in December, and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) are among the many “cornerstones to achieve our goals.”

Also during the 25 July meeting, the Council adopted its provisional agenda and working arrangements and elected its bureau for the 2025 session. ECOSOC elected, by acclamation, Lok Bahadur Thapa (Nepal) from the Asia-Pacific States, Krzysztof Szczerski (Poland) from the Eastern European States, and Maritza Chan-Valverde (Costa Rica) from the Latin American and Caribbean States as Council Vice-Presidents for the 2025 session. According to UN meeting coverage, “[t]he election of the Vice-President from the African States will be held at a later date.” [UN News Story] [Working Arrangements for ECOSOC’s 2025 Session] [Government of Canada Press Release]