ECOSOC 2003 High-Level Segment
30 June - 2 July 2003

The Economic and Social Council, in its decision 2002/309 of 19 December 2002, chose "Promoting an integrated approach to rural development in developing countries for poverty eradication and sustainable development." as the theme for the high-level segment of its substantive session, held from 30 June to 2 July 2003 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Council adopted a Ministerial Declaration, providing policy guidance and recommendations for action.

In preparation for the session, the Council held two preparatory meetings at the UN headquarters in New York:

On 24 March 2003 -- two dialogue sessions that attempted to identify the major policy issues related to integrated approaches to rural development and to analyze goals established and commitments made in this regard.

On 30 April 2003 -- a one-day meeting of the Council that brought together Ministers, ECOSOC Ambassadors, agencies and organizations of the UN system, representatives of civil society, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, academia and others, to discuss measures to promote an integrated approach to rural development within the context of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of development as recognized at UN Global conferences. As part of the meeting, a number of roundtables were organized by UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes on issues related to the theme.

A report by the Secretary-General on the theme for the high-level has been issued.