Pakistan elected to UN body with overwhelming support

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan was elected today to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a three-year term starting January 1, 2019, during elections held at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Pakistan was one of the four countries elected to this important body from the Asia Pacific region. Pakistan secured 175 out of a total of 186 votes cast.

ECOSOC is one of the principal organs of the United Nations mandated with the important tasks of coordination, policy review and formulating recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as for the implementation of all important Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Pakistan’s election is an endorsement and reaffirmation of Pakistan’s constructive leadership in these important areas and its role as an ardent advocate of dialogue and cooperation.

Pakistan’s member of ECOSOC comes at an important juncture as the United Nations heads towards the mid-term review of the implementation of the SDGs. Pakistan has remained actively involved and played a leadership role in these processes.

Pakistan will continue its constructive engagement with member states, members of the Council and the international community to facilitate the implementation of the SDGs in a balanced, equitable and responsible manner.

Pakistan has previously served on the ECOSOC on various occasions and has been re-elected following a mandatory break year in 2018, after having served two consecutive terms from 2012-14 and 2015-17.