Features

Agriculture remains fundamental for Africa in the 21st century

Agriculture is essential to sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa, where the sector employs more than 70 per cent of labour and generates about a third of GDP growth. The poorest members of society are those who are most dependent on agriculture for jobs and income. Average agricultural value added per worker is low in many countries.

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Threefold discrimination of indigenous women

Throughout the world, indigenous women continue to be discriminated against and marginalized. The threefold discrimination they suffer (for being women, indigenous and poor) marginalize them even further, compared with indigenous men, regarding economic and political opportunities for employment, social services, access to justice, and, more particularly, access to land and other productive resources.

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Inadequate global economic governance

Addressing the 2009 ECOSOC Spring Meeting on 27 April, the Secretary-General pointed out that the current global recession has revealed the shortcomings of global financial structures, calling for institutions to become more “representative, credible, accountable and effective.”

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Achieving Sustainable Development in an Age of Climate Change

Adapting to climate change is critical for sustainable development. Steps must be taken to strengthen the adaptive capacity of all stakeholders and to mainstream adaptation into sectoral and national planning processes. Achieving the aims reflected in the international sustainable development agenda also requires mitigation efforts in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

World Economic Situation and Prospects, 2005-2009: On the Global Financial and Economic Crisis

In recent years, from 2005, but also in earlier editions, WESP has warned against the dangers of the unsustainable pattern of global growth that emerged about a decade ago and which was characterized by strong consumer demand in the United States, funded by easy credit and booming house prices. Far-reaching financial deregulation facilitated a massive and unfettered expansion of new financial instruments, such as securitized sub-prime mortgage lending, sold on financial markets worldwide.

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Comings and goings

Comings

Ms. Leslie Wade has been appointed Chief of the ECOSOC Interorganizational Cooperation Branch (EICB), Office for ECOSOC Support and Coordination, on 1 May. She brings with her experience in the development and security side of the UN’s work, both at Headquarters and in the field. She has worked in many offices, including the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Office of the Special Advisor for Africa and the LDCs, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Office for ECOSOC Support and Coordination.

Mr. Roberto Villareal joined the Division for Public Administration & Development Management as the new Chief of the Socio-Economic Development Branch (which will now be known as Development Management Branch) on 22 April. His most recent assignment was with the Division of the Regional Competitiveness and Governance of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), where he served as its head.

Mr. Andrei Abramov has been appointed Chief of the NGO Section, Office of ECOSOC Support and Coordination, as of 1 May. He is currently acting as Principal Social Affairs Officer in the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women. Mr. Abramov brings with him a diversified professional and progressive experience in supporting intergovernmental policy making, negotiations on various policy documents and resolutions.

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