Economic, social and environmental challenges will be top on the agenda in the coming weeks as the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) holds its annual, month-long substantive session in New York from 2 to 27 July. In a climate of continued global economic uncertainty discussions are expected to centre on the global labour market and unemployment trends.

Months of preparation in the form of short sessions, ad-hoc meetings, roundtables and panel discussions have taken place in the lead up to the substantive session, which starts this Monday. The 2012 substantive session consists of five segments: High-level, Coordination, Operational Activities, Humanitarian Affairs, and the General Segment.

To kick start proceedings, the High-Level Segment taking place on 2-9 July opens with the Annual Ministerial Review (AMR), chaired by H.E. Mr. Miloš Koterec, President of ECOSOC. Attracting policy-makers from the top ranks of government, this year’s AMR has the theme ‘promoting productive capacity, employment and decent work to eradicate poverty’ and will examine global labour market trends and assess progress toward meeting employment and decent work-related goals. 

Additionally, the High-level Segment will welcome the third biennial Development Cooperation Forum (DCF), bringing together a large number of diverse participants aiming to promote solutions to enhance development cooperation, maximize its impact to accomplish national and international development priorities and explore emerging drivers of change that will shape its future.  

The Coordination Segment will focus on following-up on the 2011 Ministerial Declaration on ‘implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to education’ and the International Conference on Financing for Development. The Operational Segment will be guided by the two reports of the Secretary-General for the 2012 Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR).

The Humanitarian Affairs section will discuss opportunities and challenges related to strengthening the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance with the theme ‘working in partnership to strengthen coordination of humanitarian assistance in a changing world’ and will feature two panel events.

Lastly, the General Segment will look at improving capacities for evidence-based humanitarian decision-making; and partnerships for effective humanitarian assistance in support of national, regional and international efforts.

Live transmission of the ECOSOC session will start on 2 July via UN Webcast.