The new President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Martin Sajdik, who was elected on 14 January, highlighted the importance of maintaining momentum from Rio+20 and translating this into a meaningful post-2015 development agenda, with sustainable development goals that respect the 1992 Rio principles.

Mr Sajdik stressed that ECOSOC would focus on eliminating poverty, the health of the planet and strong stakeholder engagement to achieve results.

“My objective is to collectively pursue the Council reform process which began with a General Assembly resolution”, stated the ECOSOC President.

The new President recalled that the High Level Political Forum was created to meet under the auspices of ECOSOC, and explained that “We have launched a debate on integration within the work of the ECOSOC system in order to monitor and promote the balanced integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development”.

ECOSOC, which is responsible for convening the High Level Political Forum and pursuing dialogue on sustainable development, is thus core to sustainable development issues, Mr Sajdik underlined, whilst specifying that the High Level Political Forum should serve as a central framework for cooperation with political decision-makers and for monitoring progress in the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda.

The new President also highlighted the importance of the rule of law, the fight against corruption, ensuring respect for human rights, climate change, sustainable energy, and full and productive employment, in particular among young people.

UIC – whose Director General held a very constructive initial meeting with the incoming President of ECOSOC in New York on 8 January (see eNews 381 dated 14 January 2014: http://uic.org/com/uic-e-news/381) – extends its warmest congratulations to Mr Martin Sajdik in his new high-level responsibilities within ECOSOC and more generally within the United Nations.

(Source: United Nations)