New York – February 26, 2015

H.E. Mr. Martin Sajdik, President of the Economic and Social Council,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

The report before us synthetizes the significant accomplishments of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) realized through the course of last year.

The substantive theme chosen for the 2014 session, “On-going and emerging challenges for meeting the Millennium Development Goals in 2015 and for sustaining development gains in the future” was most pertinent. It provided specific focus as ECOSOC continues to enhance its contribution to the transition from the MDGs to the post-2015 development agenda. The Council’s work in this area will be valuable as we move forward with the negotiations on the new development agenda.

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,

The 2014 ECOSOC session yielded several other important outcomes. They included the decision to enhance global cooperation in providing technical assistance for the development of a global reference frame which can contribute to more accurate measuring of the changing planet, with potential economic and environmental benefits.

In addition to its traditional operational activities and humanitarian segments, ECOSOC also held the first meeting of its Integration Segment last year, focusing on the important issue of sustainable urbanization.

The joint meetings of ECOSOC and the Second Committee also provided useful insights on several topics including the sovereign debt crisis and the renewed global partnership for development. These meetings also promoted a spirit of coherence and coordination in our work.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you well know, 2015 will be a landmark for the United Nations, particularly for those directly involved with issues of sustainable development.

Resolution 68/1 recognized the leading role of ECOSOC in identifying emerging challenges and promoting reflection, debate and innovative thinking on development.

In this context, ECOSOC’s work continues to provide an invaluable contribution toward our efforts to formulate an integrated and unified development framework, as well as to the advancement of stronger linkages between the activities of the United Nations system.

Going forward, we will need greater emphasis on the role of the High-Level Political Forum in the follow-up and review of the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda, and possibly the outcome of the Third Conference on Financing for Development. This will require even stronger coordination and cooperation between the General Assembly and ECOSOC.

I thank you for your kind attention.