At the World Summit in September 2005 United Nation Member States entered into a commitment[1], to reform and strengthen the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) by enhancing its existing mandates as well as by assigning it new key functions. The General Assembly acknowledged the Council's deficits in fulfilling its mandate at times and hence pursued two simultaneous processes of reforming ECOSOC. The first goal concerning development was met in June 2006 with the adoption of Resolution A/60/265[2] on follow-up the development outcome of the World Summit. The second goal, of strengthening ECOSOC, is still on-going in the plenary, following the adoption of Resolution 61/16 in November 2006:
With respect to the development goals and objectives agreed at the United Nations conferences and summits, Resolution A/60/265 calls for concerted efforts by all Member States to ensure their full realization in due time. The Resolution also invites international organizations and institutions, including the Bretton Woods institutions and the World Trade Organization to achieve the aforesaid objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals. For the purpose of ensuring an effective implementation of the commitments, efficient mechanisms to monitor, review and follow-up actions are requested. The General Assembly emphasizes the need to fully implement the global partnership for development, asks all countries to promote good governance, urges them to ratify and implement the United Nations Convention against Corruption, requests calls for effective management of public finances and resolves to encourage greater direct investment in developing countries. The Multilateral Dept Relief Initiative is attached great importance just like the eradication of hunger and poverty as well as the accomplishment to meet all the commitments and obligations undertaken in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
In November 2006, Member States reached agreement on a draft resolution for the strengthening of the Economic and Social Council. Following is a summary of key issues decided by Resolution 61/16:.
The resolution decides that the following actions should be taken with respect to the High Level Segment of the Economic and Social Council: The biennial Development Cooperation Forum will be hold in alternate years, starting 2008, in the framework of the High Level Segment of ECOSOC. Annual ministerial-level substantive reviews will be hold to be "conducted by means of a cross-sectoral approach on thematic issues." The Secretariat is requested to submit an analytical background report for consideration by the Forum. The Secretary General is also asked to include an analytical assessment of progress providing identification of obstacles in implementation and recommendations in its reports to the High Level Segment. The outcome of the High Level Segment will be one ministerial declaration.
Regarding the humanitarian affairs segment, the ECOSOC is required to support and complement international efforts addressing humanitarian emergencies and should contribute in strengthening the coordination of United Nations efforts in this realm. To this end, the Council is asked to convene ad hoc meetings on specific humanitarian emergencies upon request of the affected Member State with the objective to raise awareness and promote engagement of all stakeholders.
The resolution reaffirms the importance of inter-action between the ECOSOC and the Peacebuilding Commission. The Peacebuilding Commission is invited to benefit from the Council's experience in post-conflict rebuilding. The Agenda of the Commission will be based on requests for advice from ECOSOC among others, with the consent of the concerned Member State.
[1] World Summit Outcome Document Paragraph 155 and 156
[2] A/RES/60/265 Follow-up to the development outcome of the 2005 World Summit
