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ECOSOC marks 70th anniversary, highlights role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Xinhua, January 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

Marking the 70th anniversary of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on Friday, its President Oh Joon highlighted the council's primary role in realizing the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aim to wipe out poverty by 2030.

"The Council's primary role has been the formulation of policy recommendations for Member States and the coordination of development action by the UN system," Oh Joon said.

"Seventy years on, the United Nations achieved another significant milestone by adopting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in September last year," he said.

"We must deepen our thrust to work with Member States and other stakeholders to meet the growing expectations for transforming the world for the benefit of mankind," he added.

ECOSOC's inaugural meeting was convened in January 1946 in London, with Sir Ramaswami Mudaliar of India chairing as its first President. Since then, the 54-member body has served as the central platform of the UN to address global economic, social and related issues, according to UN website.

Joon was elected 71st President of the ECOSOC on July 24, 2015. He is currently the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Republic of Korea to the United Nations in New York.

On Friday morning, UN Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, also spoke at the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the ECOSOC.

Eliasson said that the commemoration provides an important opportunity to honour the Council's past work, and to highlight its vital role across the spectrum of UN activities at this crucial time in history -- especially with the historic adoptions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, according to deputy UN spokesman Farhan Haq at the daily briefing.

Eliasson said that now, more than ever, the world has to focus on dealing with the root causes of conflicts, poverty and neglect of humanity, said Haq. Endit