RP tops elections for seat in UN eco-social body
By Veronica Uy
INQ7.net
Last updated 04:14pm (Mla time) 11/03/2006
THE Philippines on Thursday (New York time) topped the elections for a seat in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc), one of the main organs of the world body, the Philippine Mission to the United Nations said in an e-mail from its New York offices to media outfits in the country.
Ambassador Lauro Baja Jr., Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said the Philippines garnered 188 out of 192 votes in the race for the 18 seats that will be vacated at the end of the year. He said there were three abstentions and one stray vote.
"This success mirrors the excellent standing of the Philippines in the United Nations," Baja said shortly after the results of the elections were announced at the General Assembly. "It is a triumph of personal diplomacy and teamwork of all officers and staff of the Philippine Mission."
The election of the Philippines followed its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, the most powerful of the six main organs of the United Nations, from 2004 to 2005. It also came in the wake of its successful bid for a seat in the newly established UN Human Rights Council.
"This victory for the Philippines would not have been possible without the support of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo and all our foreign service posts," he added.
Baja said the country will start its three-year membership in the 54-member body on January 1, 2007.
The 54 members of the Ecosoc are elected by the General Assembly for overlapping three-year terms. Seats are allotted based on geographical representation with 14 allocated to African nations, 11 to Asian nations, six to Eastern European nations, 10 to Latin American and Caribbean nations, and 13 to Western European, and other states.
Aside from the Philippines, also elected were Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Cape Verde, Algeria, Malawi, Somalia, Sudan, Romania, Barbados, Bolivia, El Salvador, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Canada, and the United States.
Baja said that as a member of Ecosoc, the Philippines will participate in policy review, policy dialogue and recommendation on issues of economic and social developments, as well as for the implementation of international development goals.
"We hope to take advantage of the opportunity which Ecosoc membership entails to get assistance for our projects from the various functional commissions and programs under Ecosoc," the Filipino diplomat added.
According to the Philippine Mission, Ecosoc serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states and the United Nations system.
It is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress; identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems; facilitating international cultural and educational cooperation; and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The council has the power to make or initiate studies and reports on these issues. It also has the power to assist the preparations and organization of major international conferences in the economic and social and related fields and to facilitate a coordinated follow-up to these conferences. With its broad mandate the council's purview extends to over 70 percent of the human and financial resources of the entire UN system.
Copyright 2006 INQ7.net. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.