Topics

TBD

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Chair: TBD

Email: TBD

United Nations Economic and Social Council chamber at UN headquarters, New York, a gift from Sweden.

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Background

The Economic and Social Council works at the heart of the United Nations system. The UN Charter established ECOSOC in 1945 as one of the six main organs of the United Nations. Its role is to advance the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental development. It is the UN's central platform for fostering debate and innovative thinking, forging consensus on ways forward, and coordinating efforts to achieve internationally agreed development goals.

ECOSOC also is the body with primary responsibility for ensuring follow-up to major UN conferences and summits. On the UN's most important development objectives, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Agenda 2030, it is the ECOSOC which is responsible for guiding Member States' implementation. It's greatest challenge; how to help Member States live up to their promises?