Bulgaria’s UN Ambassador banged the gavel as President of the Financial and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the primary time on Monday with a vow to construct on the “strong basis” left by the outgoing head and his bureau to rework the world into “a greater place for the folks of at this time and tomorrow”.
Ambassador Lachezara Stoeva , New ECOSOC President, stated in her opening assertion that she was “honoured and humbled” to have been elected to steer one of many principal organs of the UN, whereas noting that the upcoming session will probably be “particularly difficult for the world”.
Along with COVID restoration, she highlighted the continuing conflict in Ukraine, which has “triggered large meals insecurity, power shortages and monetary crises”.
The brand new ECOSOC chief elaborated on initiatives to help in overcoming “the crises which have engulfed our societies”.
Setting her agenda
As ECOSOC President, Ms. Stoeva’s stated her first precedence was to make sure that the Council and the Excessive Degree Political Discussion board (HLPF) which is the climax of its work annually, gives “strong, evidence-based, revolutionary and actionable coverage steerage” to curb and tackle the pandemic’s impacts on the Sustainable Improvement Targets (SDGs).
Secondly, she goals to assist bridge the “nice finance divide” that has sharply curtailed the flexibility of many growing nations to get better.
Her third precedence is to make sure preparations advance for the SDG Summit happening in September 2023, by constructing momentum and reviving “the eagerness that characterised the elaboration and implementation of the SDGs”, which had been agreed in 2015.
Fourth, she goals to construct on the success of this yr’s Humanitarian Affairs Section to “assist and reinforce” the UN and its humanitarian companions in addressing “profound humanitarian challenges” worldwide.
Fifth, Ambassador Stoeva goals to follow-up on the suggestions made to ECOSOC within the Secretary-Common’s Our Widespread Agenda blueprint for motion, whereas her sixth precedence will probably be to offer higher entry to youth, civil society and others.
Her closing precedence she stated, can be to implement the suggestions adopted by the Common Meeting in June 2021 for reforming the work of ECOSOC and the HLPF.
Ambassador Stoeva assumed her duties as Bulgaria’s Everlasting Consultant to the UN in February final yr and has served as ECOSOC Vice-President liable for the Administration Section, the place she efficiently led the Council’s overview of the Practical Commissions and Professional Our bodies.
Fond farewell
In a heartfelt speech, outgoing President Collen Kelapile stated that he was “deeply honoured and elated” to have served within the high job for the previous yr.
Reminding that it was the primary time that Botswana had occupied the seat, he described it as “a momentous event for each my nation and I personally”.
Earlier than handing over the reins, Mr. Kelapile appeared again on the most important theme of each ECOSOC and the HLPF this month, highlighting the “eight broad priorities”, of his time period, which included vaccine fairness, inequalities, post-conflict restoration, and youth engagement.
He additionally highlighted the Council’s new Coordination Section and a revitalized Partnership Discussion board to information its subsidiary our bodies, reminding that it has handled battle, post-conflict and humanitarian emergencies, together with in Haiti, South Sudan, and the Sahel area.
The outgoing President additionally drew consideration to conferences throughout his tenure surrounding the local weather disaster, implementing the New City Agenda, and supporting the advance of the SDGs throughout the latest months of crises on a number of fronts.
“I’m happy that the Council adopted a Decision final Friday to make sure implementation of the outcomes of the Operational Actions for Improvement Section,” he stated.
© UNICEF/Bullen Chol
A lady walks house from faculty after the Nile river flooded on the outskirts of Juba, South Sudan.
Championing the susceptible
As President, he reminded that ECOSOC continued to advocate for Least Developed International locations (LDCs), Landlocked Growing International locations (LLDCs) and Small Island Growing States (SIDS), in addition to a particular push on behalf of African international locations, “offering them a platform to share their experiences and growth challenges”.
The Council has been actively concerned in preparations for the Fifth UN Convention on LDCs subsequent yr, and in 2024, the Third Convention on LLDCs and the Fourth Convention on SIDS, he stated.
Ambassador Kelapile has known as for strengthened worldwide cooperation, world solidarity and partnerships to beat their growth challenges and lent assist for inclusive and sustainable restoration in these international locations.
Wanting forward
In passing the gavel to Ambassador Stoeva, he wished her “all the perfect” in main ECOSOC’s work on COVID-19 restoration, and implementing the 2030 Agenda throughout the Decade of Motion.
He thanked all who supported him and requested that they “prolong the identical assist and cooperation” to her.
In closing, Ambassador Kelapile burdened the necessity to work collectively “tougher” and coordinate additional.
“With lower than eight years to 2030, it’s clear that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Improvement and its Sustainable Improvement Targets should stay our guiding framework”.
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