Cooperation body: Pakistan elected to UN Economic, Social Council

Islamabad to help shape the Post-2015 Development Agenda

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been elected member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a three-year term starting January 1st, 2015.

Pakistan secured 181 out of a total of 186 votes cast by member states at the election held at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. A country required two-thirds majority of 124 to win a seat in the elections.

Pakistan was contesting for one of three Asian seats in the body. The other Asian countries elected were India and Japan.



This overwhelming support of the international community manifests confidence in Pakistan’s diplomacy and is an acknowledgment and appreciation of Pakistan’s longstanding commitment and contribution to the United Nations.

The 54-member body is one of principal organs of the United Nations mandated with the important task of coordination, policy review and formulating recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as for implementation of the internationally agreed development goals.

Pakistan’s election as a member of Ecosoc comes at a critical time when the UN-led deliberations to shape the Post-2015 development agenda are underway. Pakistan has remained actively engaged in this process.

Upon taking seat at the Ecosoc next year, Pakistan will continue its constructive engagement with the international community to help shape the Post-2015 Development Agenda, which will have elimination of abject poverty by 2030 as its overarching goal.

Pakistan will work with member states to make the Ecosoc stronger and more responsive to the contemporary social, economic and environmental challenges.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2014.