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Economic and Social Council suspends 2009 substantive session


Adopts Eight Resolutions and Two Decisions During Final Meeting

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) this morning concluded its work and suspended its 2009 substantive session.

During the meeting, it adopted eight resolutions and two decisions, on topics including African countries emerging from conflict; support to Non-Self Governing Territories; implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for 2001-2010; economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan; report of the Committee for Development Policy on its eleventh session; a strengthened and more effective intergovernmental inclusive process to carry out the financing for development follow-up; follow-up to paragraph 56 of the Annex to the Outcome of the Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis; role of the Economic and Social Council in the integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits, in light of relevant General Assembly resolutions; and on the role of the United Nations system in implementing the ministerial declaration on the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to sustainable development adopted at the high-level segment of the 2008 substantive session of the Economic and Social Council.

In concluding remarks, Sha Zukang, Under Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said the session clearly showed that the Council provided a unique platform for weaving together the various strands of the development agenda for more effective implementation. They were able to engage different ministries and levels of Government in pursuing health goals. The message was clear that development and public health had to be pursued in an integrated way. Another defining feature of the Economic and Social Council was that it was the Charter body in the United Nations that brought together so many actors. The Council could also closely link global deliberations with national level implementation. This was vividly evident during the well prepared and presented national reports, and during the operational activities segment. At the same time, Mr. Sha said, the Council's resolutions provided pointed guidance on where to accelerate implementation.

Sylvie Lucas, President of the Council, said the Council had prepared the ground for solid follow-up activities in the field of public health. The frankness of the national reports presented voluntarily by seven countries promoted reflection, both on policies and on means for solving persistent development problems, and proved the Council was a unique forum, helping to solve problems, mobilising the world community, and helping to attain the Millennium Development Goals. One of the key messages of the debate on issues of coordination was that, in order to face current crises, policies needed to be put in place to ensure consistency between the economic, social and environmental actors, within the context of sustainable development. The Council would have to continue its work on the role that it must play and mobilise the United Nations system to implement the conclusions of the review of the operational activities for development of the United Nations.

The Council also took note this morning of the updated report of the Secretary-General on the role of the Council in the integrated and coordinated implementation of the outcomes of and follow-up to major United Nations Conferences and summits in the light of relevant General Assembly resolutions, including resolution 61/16 (E/2009/89); the summary by the President of the Council of the special high-level meeting of the Council with the Bretton Woods Institutions, the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (E/2009/60); the Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the Joint Inspection Unit on the Junior Professional/Associate Expert/Associate Professional Officer Programmes in United Nations system organisations (E/2009/82 and Add.1); the report of the Secretary-General on assistance to the Palestinian people (E/2009/66); Report of the Secretary-General on Regional cooperation in the economic, social and related fields (E/2009/15 and Add.1); Report on the economic situation in 2008-2009 in the Economic Commission for Europe region: Europe, North America and the Commonwealth of Independent States (E/2009/16); Report on overview of the economic and social conditions in Africa, 2009 (E/2009/17); Summary of the economic and social survey of Asia and the Pacific, 2009 (E/2009/18); Latin America and the Caribbean: economic situation and outlook, 2008-2009 (E/2009/19); Summary of the survey of economic and social developments in the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia region, 2008-2009 (E/2009/20); the Note by the Secretary-General on economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the Occupied Syrian Golan (E/2009/13); the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Public-Private Alliance for Rural Development (E/2009/72); report of the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the Joint Inspection Unit on the management review of environmental governance within the United Nations system (E/2009/83); Note by the Secretary-General transmitting his comments and those of the United Nations system Chief Executives Board for coordination, on the report of the Joint Inspection Unit on the management review of environmental governance within the United Nations system; and the report of the Council of the United Nations University on the work of the University (E/2009/84).

At the beginning of the four-week session, the Council held a week-long High-Level Segment, at the conclusion of which it adopted a Ministerial Declaration on implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to global public health, in which it, among other things, called for political leadership, empowerment of communities and engagement of all stakeholders, including individuals, for attaining the Millennium Development Goals with renewed vigour and in the spirit of global solidarity. The Council also called on all States to renew their commitment to prevent and eliminate child and maternal mortality and morbidity, and for health system strengthening as a key component of an integrated approach to achieving rapid and substantial reduction in maternal morbidity and mortality.

During the session, it also held a dialogue with the Executive Secretaries of the Regional Commissions on regional perspectives on the global economic and financial crisis, including the impact on global public health; a dialogue with Executive Heads of UN funds and programmes on the UN development system's contribution to national capacity building; and a dialogue on two major themes of the Triennial Comprehensive Policy Review of operational activities for development, namely challenges to the capacity of resident coordinators in the context of United Nations reform - system-wide support, and simplification and harmonisation - how far the United Nations system has gone. The Council also held a number of panel and round-table discussions.

The Council also adopted during the session a range of resolutions and decisions, including on: operational activities of the United Nations for international development cooperation; special economic, humanitarian and disaster relief assistance; recovering from the crisis: a Global Jobs Pact; assessment of the progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society and on science and technology for development; on the status of non-governmental organizations; international cooperation in the field of informatics; the Europe-Africa link through the Strait of Gibraltar; mainstreaming a gender perspective into all policies and programmes in the United Nations system; the situation of and assistance to Palestinian women; the commemoration of the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action; economic and environmental questions, including on sustainable development, human settlements, environment, population and development, United Nations Forum on Forests, and transport of dangerous goods; social and human rights questions including crime prevention and criminal justice; narcotic drugs; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; human rights; and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Speaking in introduction of resolutions today were Kenya, Sudan on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and Luxembourg.

Speaking before the adoption of texts were United States, Sweden on behalf of the European Union, New Zealand, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Turkey, and Canada.

Speaking after the adoption of texts were Saint Lucia, Japan, Palestine, Syria, and Israel. Speaking in concluding remarks were Sweden on behalf of the European Union, and Sudan for the Group of 77 and China. Also speaking during the meeting was the International Trade Union Confederation.

Action on Resolution on Coordination, Programme and Other Questions: Ad Hoc Advisory Groups on African Countries Emerging from Conflict

In a resolution on African countries emerging from conflict (E/2009/L.33/Rev.1), adopted without a vote, the Council invites the Chairman of the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission to continue to inform it on best practices, particularly on lessons learned from its experiences, that are relevant for addressing the economic and social challenges of peacebuilding in other African countries emerging from conflict; invites the Peacebuilding Commission to strengthen its cooperation with the Economic and Social Council, including through an enhanced dialogue between the Council and the Chairpersons of the Commission's country-specific configurations; and decides to consider this matter at its substantive session of 2010 under the agenda item entitled "African countries emerging from conflict".

Action on Resolution on Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the Specialized Agencies and International Institutions Associated with the United Nations

In a resolution on Support to Non-Self-Governing Territories by the specialized agencies and international institutions associated with the United Nations (E/2009/L.26), adopted by a vote of 25 in favour, none against, and 22 abstentions, the Council recommends that all States intensify their efforts within the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system of which they are members to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), and other relevant resolutions of the United Nations; requests the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system and international and regional organizations to examine and review conditions in each Non-Self-Governing Territory so that they may take appropriate measures to accelerate progress in the economic and social sectors of those Territories; urges those specialized agencies and organizations of the United Nations system that have not yet provided assistance to Non-Self-Governing Territories to do so as soon as possible; requests the specialized agencies and other organizations and bodies of the United Nations system and regional organizations to strengthen existing measures of support and to formulate appropriate programmes of assistance to the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories, within the framework of their respective mandates, in order to accelerate progress in the economic and social sectors of those Territories; and requests the administering Powers concerned to facilitate, when appropriate, the participation of appointed and elected representatives of Non-Self-Governing Territories in the relevant meetings and conferences of the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and decisions, including the resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly and the Special Committee, on specific Territories, so that they may benefit from the related activities of those agencies and organizations.

The result of the vote was as follows:

In favour (25): Algeria, Barbados, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Against (0):

Abstentions (22): Canada, Côte d'Ivoire, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Morocco, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Sweden, United Kingdom, and United States.

JOHN SAMMIS (United States) said with regard to the resolution before the Council, he said this was essentially the same one that had been considered several times in the past by the Council. Each time it had come up, the United States had called for a vote and abstained, as have a number of other countries. They would do so again today. They found themselves in this position despite agreeing in principle that the UN funds, programmes and specialized agencies could usefully provide support to territories that were not United Nations members, so long as the domestic laws and policies of a territory's administering power allowed such UN support. It was the responsibility of the administering power to decide the nature of the participation in the United Nations, if any, of its territories. Under the Constitution of the United States, the federal Government had sole responsibility for the conduct of United States foreign relations, which included the foreign relations of United States territories. They were concerned that the proposed language of this resolution infringed upon these internal constitutional arrangements of the United States, and therefore could not support the resolution as it stood now.

JAKOB STROM (Sweden), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the European Union also called for a vote on resolution L.26. The United Nations system provided support to Non-Self-Governing Territories. Regrettably, the resolution was loaded with political content, and diverted attention from the noble objective. The European Union would abstain from the resolution, as it did not fall within the purview of the Council. Time had not allowed a collective reformulation of the resolution at this session, but the spirit of the meeting would inform consultations when time permitted.

TONY FAUTUA (New Zealand) said New Zealand had first hand experience with specialized agencies as related to non-self governing territories. New Zealand was pleased to recognize the Taukalow peoples, and the achievements made thus far, and in this regard they would support the draft resolution.

ALEXANDER PANKIN (Russian Federation) said the Russian Federation would abstain on voting for this resolution. Russia had consistently supported deleting this agenda item on the granting of independence to colonial territories and peoples. Economic questions to do with helping vulnerable peoples should be considered in another context. Politicisation of the Council's work would not help with its main function, which was coordinating United Nations activities in economic and social spheres.

DONATUS ST AIMEE (Saint Lucia) said a couple of issues had been raised in the discussion, including sovereignty. Saint Lucia felt that self-determination did not imply independence. The question of whenever 15/14 was mentioned did not in itself mean that the Council was advocating this, and this was the difficulty that some delegations had. The very title of the resolution probably gave the impression that independence was the focus of the resolution - and this was incorrect, the focus was encouraging administrative powers to collaborate with the United Nations, and to encourage the non-self-governing territories to ask for help from the United Nations system. Saint Lucia would vote in favour of the resolution. It was unfortunate that a vote was required, but hopefully this would be remedied next year.

Action on Resolution on Implementation of and Follow-up to Major United Nations Conferences and Summits: Review and Coordination of Implementation of Programme of Action for the Least developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010

In a resolution entitled Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010, contained in (E/2009/L.39), adopted without a vote, the Economic and Social Council takes note of the annual progress report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010; stresses the urgent need to address areas of weakness in its implementation and the continued precarious socio-economic situation in many least developed countries; urges the least developed countries to strengthen country ownership in the implementation of the Programme of Action by, inter alia, translating its goals and targets into specific measures within their national development frameworks and poverty eradication strategies; urges development partners to fully implement commitments in the Programme of Action and to exercise individual best efforts to continue to increase their financial and technical support for its implementation; requests the Secretary-General to continue to take appropriate measures for the preparation for the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries as well as for the implementation of the advocacy strategy on the effective and timely implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010, to ensure active involvement of the organizations of the United Nations system in the preparatory process for the Conference in a coordinated and coherent manner, inter alia, by making use of the existing coordination mechanisms of the United Nations system; to intensify his efforts to mobilize the necessary resources in order to ensure that the trust fund was adequately resourced and to provide information on the status of the trust fund, to include least developed country issues in all relevant reports in the economic, social and related fields in order to ensure follow-up to their development in the broader context of the world economy and contribute to preventing their marginalization while promoting their further integration into the world economy; and to submit an analytical and results-oriented annual progress report on the further implementation of the Programme of Action and to make available adequate resources, within existing resources, for the preparation of such a report.

FREDIRICK MATWANG'A (Kenya) introducing resolution L.39, said with regards to the resolution, it resolved the challenges facing least developed countries through short-, medium- and long-term responses, and also urged them to strengthen partnerships with development partners, who should implement commitments in the Programme of Action for Least-Developed Countries, and increase their financial and technical support in that regard. All stakeholders should provide necessary support and actively contribute to the Fourth United Nations Conference on least developed countries.

EMIR YUKSEL (Turkey) said Turkey expressed thanks to the facilitator of the resolution. Turkey attached the utmost importance to the development needs of least developed countries, and reiterated that Turkey would host a conference on least developed countries in 2011.

Action on Resolution on Economic and Social Repercussions of the Israeli Occupation on the Living Conditions of the Palestinian People in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Including Jerusalem, and the Arab Population in the Occupied Syrian Golan

In a resolution entitled Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan, contained in (E/2009/L.42), adopted by a vote of 25 in favour, five against, and 17 abstentions, the Economic and Social Council calls for the lifting of all mobility restrictions imposed on the Palestinian people, including those arising from ongoing Israeli military operations and the multilayered closures system, and for other urgent measures to be taken to alleviate the desperate humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially in the Gaza Strip; demands that Israel comply with the Protocol on Economic Relations between the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization signed in Paris on 29 April 1994; calls upon Israel to restore and replace civilian properties, vital infrastructure, agricultural lands and governmental institutions that have been damaged or destroyed as a result of its military operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory; calls upon all parties to respect the rules of international humanitarian law, and to refrain from violence against the civilian population in accordance with the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949; calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to cease its destruction of homes and properties, economic institutions and agricultural lands and orchards in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, as well as in the occupied Syrian Golan, to end immediately its exploitation of natural resources, including water and mining resources, and to cease the dumping of all kinds of waste materials in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and in the occupied Syrian Golan, and to remove all obstacles that obstruct implementation of critical environmental projects, including the sewage treatment plants in the Gaza Strip; calls upon Israel to comply with the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilians in Times of War, and to facilitate visits of the Syrian citizens of the occupied Syrian Golan whose family members reside in their mother homeland, the Syrian Arab Republic, via the Qunaitra entrance; requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session, through the Economic and Social Council, a report on the implementation of the present resolution and to continue to include in the report of the United Nations Special Coordinator an update on the living conditions of the Palestinian people; and decides to include the item entitled "Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan" in the agenda of its substantive session of 2010.

The result of the vote was as follows:

In favour (25): Algeria, Barbados, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Malaysia, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Against (5): Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, and United States.

Abstentions (17): Côte d'Ivoire, Estonia, France, Greece, Japan, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Sweden, and United Kingdom.

HAMZA AHMED (Sudan), speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, said the draft resolution E/2009/L.42 should be adopted.

JOHN SAMMIS (United States) said the United States remained deeply concerned about the humanitarian impact on the Palestinian lives and the losses on both side. Nevertheless they considered the earlier drafts to be seriously unbalanced. Regrettably the current draft contained extreme language and as such the United States would be voting against it and urged other countries to do the same. The United States was working towards a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and was working towards a two-State solution in this regard. This draft resolution undermined such efforts and that was why the United States could not support this draft resolution.

JAKOB STROM (Sweden), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the European Union had sought to achieve consensus on this resolution. Unfortunately, the last-minute reinsertion of language that was not acceptable to the European Union had made it impossible for the European Union to support the text before the Council.

KEITH MORRILL (Canada) said Canada strongly supported the Palestinian people and deplored the conditions under which they lived. Canada regretted that the resolution remained one-sided and did not reflect the duty of the Palestinian Authority to support the lives of its people. Canada did not support the resolution. Canada was working with the Palestinian Authority to meet the needs of the Palestinian people and to improve their living conditions.

TONY FAUTUA (New Zealand) said New Zealand was concerned by reports of the United Nations specialised agencies of the severe humanitarian hardships among the Palestinian people, especially children, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and commended the important work being done to support them. This year's resolution, regrettably, introduced unnecessary political elements that went beyond the economic and social concerns on which this body should be focusing. New Zealand would therefore abstain.

DONATUS ST AIMEE (Saint Lucia), speaking in an explanation of the vote after the vote on resolution L.42, said they considered that this resolution had a economic and social character and this did not determine the decisions to be taken in the General Assembly in the same light. The non-self governing territories resolution was made in a politicized nature, and it seemed that there was a double standard being taken in the Council. Some had to be careful of what they said with regard to some items and what stance they took on others.

TAKAFUMI IWASAKI (Japan), speaking in an explanation of the vote after the vote, said Japan appreciated the efforts of Member States who had worked strenuously in drafting resolution L.42. The situation in the Middle East was faced with numerous difficulties, and this was an important theme, the resolution of which had been sought by the international community. All stakeholders were thanked for making efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East. The work on dialogue and building confidence in the area was appreciated. The resolution was political in nature, however, and was not suitable for debate in ECOSOC. It lacked a balanced view on the issue, and it was regrettable that it was put to action without sufficient consultation with all Member States. Adopting it did not contribute to a lasting solution to the issue it was aimed to address. For this reason, Japan abstained.

SAMAH ATOUT (Palestine), speaking in an explanation of the vote after the vote on resolution L.42, said today the Council adopted a resolution on the social and economic repercussions of the Israeli occupation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Syrian Golan Heights and other Occupied Arab Territories. She wished to thank all who supported the resolution and hoped that next time such a resolution was presented it would be adopted by consensus. The deliberations were constructive; however differences remained to be bridged. The resolution was far from perfect, and there remained much work to lift up the plight of Palestinian people and the realization of their statehood – which was a dream. They hoped that Israel would adhere to the heavy responsibilities as the occupying power and live up to its international obligations and commitments in order to help the set-up, and establishment of a viable and free Palestinian State.

FAYSAL KHABBAZ-HAMOUI (Syria), speaking in an explanation of the vote after the vote, said Syria wished to thank Sudan and the Group of 77 and China for the efforts made in putting this resolution together. Those countries which had voted for the resolution were thanked. However, Syria was disappointed and concerned about the fact that the resolution mentioned no serious and pressing issues. There was no mention of loss of life, and the very serious environmental damage, or damage to infrastructure. All of this had occurred because Israel had used banned weapons, including white phosphorus, to bring about this damage. The text also said nothing on the request to lift the blockade affecting millions. It also remained silent on piracy - the piracy by Israel against the boats bringing humanitarian aid and medicines to the Palestinian people. Israel stopped these vessels in the high seas, and then stole the content, preventing it from reaching Gaza. The text also said nothing about the obstacles which the Israeli occupying forces placed in the way of Syrian farmers in the Occupied Syrian Golan, trying to starve them into leaving their lands.

RON ADAM (Israel), speaking in an explanation of the vote after the vote, said Israel appreciated the work of Sweden as President of the European Union for their concern and diplomatic efforts, which did not bring a good result for them, but they did it from a good political will. Peace would not be achieved in the room today, and the resolution had nothing to do with economic and social issues – it was only political. Peace would be found on the ground.

Action on Resolution on Economic and Environmental Questions: Sustainable Development

In a resolution entitled Report of the Committee for Development Policy on its eleventh session, contained in (E/2009/L.43), adopted without a vote, the Economic and Social Council takes note of the report of the Committee for Development Policy on its eleventh session; requests the Committee, at its twelfth session, to examine and make recommendations on the themes chosen by the Economic and Social Council for the high-level segment of its substantive session of 2010; takes note of the proposals made by the Committee regarding its future work programme; endorses the recommendation of the Committee that Equatorial Guinea be graduated from the list of least developed countries; recommends that the General Assembly take note of the recommendation of the Committee that Equatorial Guinea be graduated from the list of least developed countries; requests the Committee to monitor the development progress of countries graduating from the list of least developed countries and to include its findings in its annual report to the Economic and Social Council; and invites the Chairperson and, as necessary, other members of the Committee to continue the practice of reporting orally on the work of the Committee.

Action on Decision on Economic and Environmental Questions: International Cooperation in Tax Matters

In a decision on the Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters, contained in an informal document and adopted without a vote, the Council decides that the fifth session of the Committee shall be convened in Geneva from 19 to 23 October 2009; and approves the provisional agenda for the fifth session of the Committee as contained in its report on its fourth session.

HAMZA AHMED (Sudan), speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, said with regard to the draft resolution L.34, the Group of 77 and China originally tabled a procedural resolution on this issue based on language from the outcomes of two recent major conferences – the Doha Declaration on Financing for Development and the Outcome of the Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development. The Group expected that the negotiations would be straightforward and would easily find consensus. It was thus surprising and disappointing that partners found it necessary to turn the negotiations into a substantive set of discussions and stalled the achievement of consensus. The Group in a reflection of its responsibility, in the interest of completing the work of this session and to allow the work of the important Committee of Experts to continue, took the decision to withdraw the resolution and proposed to the Vice-Chair that he issued a short decision on the issue. It was the Group's intention to table a resolution at the Council's resumed session in 2009 on the matter of strengthening of the institutional arrangements to promote international cooperation in tax matters, including the United Nations Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters, which would be keeping with the mandate outlined in the abovementioned conferences.

Action on Resolution on Implementation of and Follow-up to Major United Nations Conferences and Summits: International Conference on Financing for Development

In a resolution on a strengthened and more effective intergovernmental inclusive process to carry out the financing for development follow-up (E/2009/36), adopted without a vote, the Council recommends to the General Assembly in this regard the following modalities for a strengthened and more effective intergovernmental process for carrying out the financing for development follow-up, including: the special high-level spring meeting of the Economic and Social Council with the international financial and trade institutions could last from the existing one day up to two days; the Economic and Social Council should continue to strengthen its role in promoting coherence, coordination and cooperation in the implementation of the Monterrey Consensus and the Doha Declaration on Financing for Development, and as a forum for multi-stakeholder involvement; the Economic and Social Council recommends that the General Assembly should also give more prominence to its annual agenda item entitled "Follow-up to and implementation of the outcome of the 2002 International Conference on Financing for Development and the 2008 Review Conference; and reiterates its appeal to Member States and other potential donors to consider contributing generously to the Financing for Development Trust Fund, which would facilitate the carrying out of many of the activities outlined above.

SYLVIA LUCAS (Luxembourg), introducing resolution L.36, said at the International Conference on Financing for Development, which considered the implementation of the Monterrey Consensus, Heads of State and Government had asked the Council to examine, with all stakeholders, the implementation of a more effective, open and stronger inter-Governmental process to ensure the follow-up of financing for development, and to formulate recommendations for the General Assembly. After large consultation, the Council had fulfilled its responsibilities and elaborated a series of recommendations. The draft resolution reaffirmed the major principles of the Monterrey Consensus. During the consultations, it became apparent that in order to strengthen the follow-up process and give it greater visibility, new mechanisms should not be established, but existing structures should be revised and better linked together.

JOHN SAMMIS (United States), speaking on the draft resolution L.36 on the establishment of an intergovernmental process for follow-up on financing for development, said this resolution was an extremely important one. Ever since the Monterey process in 2002, the United States had been supporting this process, and it looked forward to cooperation with its partners in the years to come. He thanked the facilitators, especially Ms. Lucas, for having achieved consensus.

In a decision contained in an informal document, on Follow-up to paragraph 56 of the Annex to the Outcome of the Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis the Council, mindful of paragraph 56 of the Annex to resolution A/63/33 of the General Assembly; requests the Secretariat to provide detailed reports on, among others: the promotion and enhancement of a coordinated response of the United Nations development system and specialised agencies in the follow-up to and implementation of the Outcome of the Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis in order to advance consistency and coherence in support of consensus-building around policies related to the world financial and economic crises and its impact on development; and requests the President of the Council to conduct, as soon as possible, thereafter open-ended informal consultations, involving relevant institutions as appropriate; and decides to review progress made in the consideration of these issues at its resumed substantive session of 2009.

GEMMA ADABA, of the International Trade Union Confederation, said on financing for development, they welcomed the strengthening and inclusive process of the financing for development follow-up with the adoption of the draft resolution before the Council. They represented over 17,000,000 workers. Since the Monterey process, they were supporters of such a mechanism to provide political guidance and leadership to turn financing for development into real terms. They welcomed the agreement reached in the text to organize a continuum of events in this regard. They believed along with various members of civil society, that this process should be result-oriented and should galvanize the commitments of all development actors on financing development in order to ensure that crucial development issues were met, as well as those stemming from the global economic and financial crises. Furthermore, she stressed that the work on international cooperation on tax matters, it was important to upgrade the Committee to an intergovernmental body to recapture lost resources and to address capacity gaps.

Action on Resolution under Coordination Segment on the Role of the UN System in Implementing the Ministerial Declaration of the High-Level Segment of the Substantive Session of 2008 of ECOSOC

In a resolution on the Role of the Economic and Social Council in the integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits, in light of relevant General Assembly resolutions, including resolution 61/16 (E/2009/32), adopted without a vote, the Council decides to further review the periodicity of the report of the Secretary-General on the role of the Economic and Social Council in the integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits, in light of relevant General Assembly resolutions, including resolution 61/16, for consideration and decision at its 2010 substantive session.

In a resolution entitled The role of the United Nations system in implementing the ministerial declaration on the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to sustainable development adopted at the high-level segment of the 2008 substantive session of the Economic and Social Council (E/2009/L.44), adopted without a vote, the Economic and Social Council requests all member organizations of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination to further mainstream, at all levels, the sustainable development agenda; requests the funds, programmes and agencies of the United Nations system, as appropriate within their mandates, to continue to provide and further strengthen their support to developing countries in: building their capacity to formulate effective sustainable development strategies, mobilizing adequate and sustained levels of financial resources for meeting the priority objectives of sustainable development, and enhancing access to external resources as well as to key technologies for sustainable development; calls upon the United Nations system to support efforts to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns, including through the Marrakech process, with developed countries taking the lead, and with all countries benefiting from the process; requests the funds, programmes and agencies of the United Nations system, to mainstream, in a coordinated manner, sustainable urbanization, urban poverty reduction and slums upgrading in their efforts to assist developing countries; and requests the funds, programmes and agencies of the United Nations system, as appropriate within their mandates, to continue to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women, as well as multi-stakeholder approaches involving local authorities, civil society and the private sector, in their efforts to ensure the achievement of sustainable development.

Concluding Remarks

SHA ZUKANG, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, in concluding remarks before the suspension of the 2009 ECOSOC substantive session, expressed his deepest appreciation to delegations and facilitators for the positive and constructive atmosphere that prevailed – and that led to the timely adoption of the Ministerial Declaration and a number of significant resolutions. He also thanked the entire UN system family of organizations for their support in making this session a singular success. This session was held against the backdrop of the most serious economic and financial crises and developing countries were facing serious challenges to their efforts to achieve the development goals. The session also helped in sending a strong message on the need for collective action to not only fix the system but also to minimize the impact on developing countries. It was heartening to note that the Council had already set in motion the process to implement the outcome of the UN General Assembly meeting on the Economic and Financial Crisis and its Impact on Development. He stressed that no time should be lost.

The session clearly showed that the Council provided a unique platform for weaving together the various strands of the development agenda for more effective implementation. They were able to engage different ministries and levels of Government in pursuing health goals. The message was clear that development and public health had to be pursued in an integrated way. Another defining feature of ECOSOC was the Charter body in the UN that brought together so many actors. The Council could also closely link global deliberations with national level implementation. This was vividly evident during the well prepared and presented national reports, and during the operational activities segment. At the same time, Mr. Sha said, the Council's resolutions provided pointed guidance on where to accelerate implementation, particularly in four areas: strengthening the resident coordinator's role; developing comprehensive policies for human resources planning and deployment; rectifying the harmful imbalance between core and non-core resources; and harmonizing business practices of the UN system. Furthermore, he stressed that the Council had shown its strengths in addressing the special concerns of countries emerging from conflict, and had a central role in guiding the whole UN system in the area of development.

SYLVIE LUCAS, President of the Economic and Social Council, said she wished to thank all for their hard work. She also thanked the many colleagues who, with great skill, were able to facilitate agreements on resolutions. There had been a lengthy and intensive preparatory process for the meeting, tackling the question of health, and this had allowed for public health to be put clearly at the centre of the development agenda. The Council had prepared the ground for solid follow-up activities in the field of public health. The frankness of the national reports presented voluntarily by seven countries promoted reflection, both on policies and on means for solving persistent development problems, and proved the Council was a unique forum, helping to solve problems, mobilising the world community, and helping to attain the Millennium Development Goals. One of the key messages of the debate on issues of coordination was that, in order to face current crises, policies needed to be put in place to ensure consistency between the economic, social and environmental actors, within the context of sustainable development. This notion was nothing new, but should be fully implemented to reconcile policies and short-term sectoral goals for sustainable development.

The attention of the Council had also been called to the fact that it should tighten its links with the Chief Executives Board. It had newly promoted efforts to implement the conclusions of the three-year review of the operational activities for development of the United Nations. The Council would have to continue its work on the role that it must play and mobilise the United Nations system to implement the conclusions of the review. The Council had had a more active collaboration with the Commission on Consolidation of Peace, and this should continue. Several mandates had been given to the Council by the Conference on the Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development, and the Council undoubtedly had a key role to play in putting together a participatory international response, with measures taken at national, regional and international level, and some progress had already been made on this during the session. New mandates should be examined very attentively. Next year efforts would have to be stepped up to ensure the support of the greatest possible number of stakeholders to ensure the realisation of goals concerning the promotion of women.

JAKOB STROM (Sweden), said on behalf of the European Union, he thanked Ms. Lucas for her guidance and work. He also thanked all members for their efforts in coming to a successful conclusion of the ECOSOC substantive session. However there was one slight problem, and of which had been highlighted in Ms. Lucas' presentation, which had to do with the very late tabling of resolutions and the difficulty in getting them circulated in all languages for proper deliberations among members. They wanted to engage on substance, but failed to get information from capitals or coordinate within their respective groups to reach consensus on substantive agreements. Tabling of resolutions should come at the beginning of the session and no later that what had been stipulated in the rules of procedure.

HAMZA AHMED (Sudan), speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, said the Group of 77 and China had rich deliberations with its partners over the past weeks on issues of global significance and relevance to the lives of its people. But it observed with disappointment the resistance and reluctance of the partners to make any real progress. The Ministerial Declaration augured well for the strengthened Economic and Social Council and was ground-breaking in many ways, paving the road forward for taking concerted action on many critical issues related to global public health. It called for the strengthening of international cooperation to confront unforeseen threats and epidemics, called for strengthened political will to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, and acknowledged the impact of the global financial and economic crisis on developing countries, and called for strengthening the global partnership for development. Securing a conducive international environment was imperative for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The Group of 77 and China welcomed the adoption of the decision to set in motion a process to conclude the discussion of the eight session of the United Nations Forum on Forests on the means of implementation for sustainable forest management. Progress had been made and the process for fulfilling responsibilities had begun to set in motion the process for fulfilling responsibilities on the Global Job Pact, the implementation of agreement with the Bretton Wood Institutions, promotion and enhancement of the United Nations Development system, and the Ad Hoc Panel of Experts.

For use of the information media; not an official record

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