19 February 2019
ECOSOC Changes Annual Theme to Align with HLPF 2019
UN Photo/Manuel Elías
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ECOSOC changed the theme of its 2019 session to ‘Empowering people and ensuring inclusivity and equality,’ to ensure alignment with the theme of the July 2019 HLPF.

This decision follows UNGA resolution 72/305 of July 2018, by which the UNGA shall adopt one main theme for the HLPF and ECOSOC, “bearing in mind the provisions of resolution 70/299” on the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda.

14 February 2019: The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) formally changed the theme of its 2019 session to ‘Empowering people and ensuring inclusivity and equality,’ in order to align it with the theme of the July 2019 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).

In 2016, ECOSOC decided on the themes of its 2017-2019 sessions, setting the theme of its 2019 session as ‘One world for all: empowering people to build equal and inclusive societies.’ However, in July 2018, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution 72/305 on the strengthening of ECOSOC, by which it decides that the UNGA shall adopt one main theme for the HLPF and ECOSOC, “bearing in mind the provisions of resolution 70/299” on the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the global level. A summary of the agreed changes is provided here.

On 14 February 2019, during an ECOSOC meeting, Member States decided to change the theme of the 2019 session of ECOSOC to ensure alignment with the theme of the July 2019 HLPF on ‘Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality.’ Mexico noted that following this change, ECOSOC subsidiary bodies, including the UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD), the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the UN Commission on Population and Development (CPD) and the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) will have to ensure alignment of their multi-annual plans with the ECOSOC and HLPF themes.

Resolution 72/305 also sets out changes to the ECOSOC calendar, restructuring its segments and forums into three groups, to better promote linkages in their work and enhance their visibility and impact. An overview of the 2019 ECOSOC work programme based on this new architecture is provided here. [Meeting summary]


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