On the occasion of the 2022 High-Level Political Forum, the Regional Commissions New York Office co-hosted with the Office of the President of ECOSOC, and in partnership with UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa and the UN Global Compact, a cocktail reception on 13 July 2022 at the UN headquarters. The reception was organized in honour of the ECOSOC Presidency of Botswana and in celebration of regional partnerships for the SDGs.
The event was graced by the Guest of Honor, the President of the Republic of Botswana, H.E. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi and attended by the Permanent Representatives of Missions to the UN, Heads of Delegations to the 2022 High-Level Political Forum and Heads of UN entities. In his address, the President of Botswana thanked the Regional Commissions, the UNDP and the UN Global Compact for supporting the ECOSOC Presidency of Botswana, and for spearheading regional action to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs.
During the current ECOSOC cycle, the Regional Commissions have collaborated with the Office of the President of ECOSOC to support deliberations and outcomes of several key events. These included the 2022 editions of the Regional Forums on Sustainable Development, the 2022 ECOSOC Partnership Forum, the 2022 Forum on Financing for Development and Youth Forum. The collaboration also included the three special meetings organized on the initiative of the President of the Council, namely on International Cooperation in Tax Matters, Natural Resources, Peaceful Societies and Sustainable Development: Lessons from the Kimberley Process and revitalizing the New Urban Agenda to fight rising inequalities.
Speaking at the occasion, Ms Olga Algayerova, the Executive Secretary of UNECE and the 2022 Coordinator of the Regional Commissions applauded the President for creating the space for Regional Commissions to support the Council’s deliberative functions and placing emphasis on regional partnerships for the SDGs. She commended Botswana’s sterling stewardship of the 2022 Session of ECOSOC, under the leadership of Mr. Kelapile, in advancing the sustainable development agenda.
In his remarks, Mr. Kelapile recognized the Regional Commissions’ thought leadership, advocacy work and innovation in advancing implementation of the SDGs. The President thanked the Commissions, UNDP and Global Compact for their invaluable support to the regions and the member States they serve. The President announced his intention to make the event part of the formal calendar of HLPF.
The reception was attended by close to 400 guests and welcomed by the HLPF community as a networking event for building connections, exchanging perspectives, and setting in motion new partnerships around the 2030 Agenda.