The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) today opened its General Segment and took action on a series of texts, including on the Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020, in which it called on least developed countries, with the support of their development partners, to promote implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action; and on the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, in which it invited Member States to strengthen the Institute to contribute more effectively to development cooperation. It also heard a briefing from the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission.

Concerning the Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020, the Council decided to include the Istanbul Programme of Action as part of the Council’s review of the implementation of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits and called upon the least developed countries, with the support of their development partners, to promote implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action.

The Council, in regard to the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, called on the Institute to pursue its innovations in the field of capacity, encouraged the Institute to continue improving its effectiveness and the high quality of its output, and invited Member States to identify concrete actions to respond to the challenges referred to in the report of the Secretary-General, as well as to strengthen the Institute to contribute more effectively to development cooperation.

ECOSOC also took action on texts concerning the role of the Economic and Social Council in the integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of major United Nations conferences and summits; the report of the Committee on World Food Security to the Economic and Social Council; the provisional calendar of conference and meetings in the economic, social and related fields for 2012 and 2013; and the United Nations Staff College in Turin.

The Council took note of a number of reports.

This morning, the Council opened the General Segment of the 2011 substantive session, hearing opening statements before holding a general discussion regarding the implementation of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits and the topic of review and coordination of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010.

Nikhil Seth, Director, Office for the Economic and Social Council Support and Coordination, referred to the history of the follow-up architecture established by General Assembly resolutions. Recent reports of the Secretary-General had made a number of recommendations regarding the periodicity and scope of future follow-up reports. Rio+20 would have an impact on rethinking the integration of development issues. At this stage it would be sensible for the Council to defer decisions on periodicity and scope until after Rio +20, when new integrated principles of development would have been articulated.

Cheick Sidi Diarra, Under-Secretary-General, Special Adviser on Africa and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, said the Istanbul Programme of Action brought about a qualitative shift in development strategy for least developed countries for the next decade. The main focus of the Programme of Action was on building a critical mass of viable and competitive productive capacity. Transitioning and graduating countries out of the least developed country status was also made a priority. In order to achieve the ambitious objectives of the Istanbul Programme of Action, all stakeholders had to contribute to implementing the agreed priority actions.

In the general discussion on review and coordination on the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, speakers welcomed the outcome of the Fourth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries. Speakers expressed deep concern for the insufficient progress made in achieving the targets of the Brussels Programme of Action, particularly with regards to alleviating poverty. Structural handicaps and constraints greatly impeded least developed countries’ development efforts. Building least developed countries’ resilience, through specific and targeted international support measures, would help them withstand endogenous and exogenous shocks, which were a prerequisite for sustained economic growth and sustainable development. Official development assistance should be scaled up, enhanced and sustained to least developed countries. The work of multilateral financial institutions was also critical for achieving development, socio-economic progress and structural transformation. The priority should be to translate the programme of action into concrete orientations and measures.

Argentina, speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, Poland, speaking on behalf of the European Union, Nepal, speaking on behalf of least developed countries, Russian Federation, Cuba, Australia, Solomon Islands, Maldives, India, China, Zambia, Japan, United States and Least Developed Countries Watch took the floor in the general discussion.

In the afternoon, Carlos Lopes, Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and Director of the United Nations Staff College, introduced the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations System Staff College. Despite overall financial growth, mostly from earmarked voluntary contributions, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research continued to struggle with weak and unpredictable non-earmarked voluntary contributions, Mr. Lopes said. It was through adult-centred learning and education that the United Nations Institute for Training and Research was working to contribute to meeting global challenges of today. Mr. Lopes said that education should be viewed in broad terms and the role of lifelong learning in filling critical gaps in knowledge, skills and awareness and meeting the internationally agreed goals and commitments. Regarding the United Nations Systems Staff College, Mr. Lopes said the College was now recognized widely as a reputable training provider for the United Nations system. Its courses clearly supported the United Nations global agenda in many key areas.

In the general discussion on reports of coordination bodies and the proposed programme budget for the biennium, speakers welcomed the report of the Secretary-General which described in detail the activities of the United Nations System College which aimed at fostering a cohesive management culture in the United Nations system, reinforcing system-wide coherence, strengthening knowledge sharing and supporting the peace, security and staff safety efforts of the United Nations. Speakers welcomed the progress made by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research in improving its working methods, implementing new technologies and expanding the scope of its programmes, in particular in developing countries. They expressed concern about the low amount of resources available which could affect the initiatives of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and the United Nations System College.

Mexico, France, Italy, Russian Federation and Morocco took the floor in the general discussion.

At the end of the day, the Council took up the issue of African countries emerging from conflict.

Jan Grauls, Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council, said the Economic and Social Council continued to take great interest in ensuring that the development efforts in countries emerging from conflict were viable and sustainable. Since the establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission in 2006, the Council and the Commission had established a working relationship to address issues of mutual concern. The advisory role of the Commission could help to strengthen the Economic and Social Council’s ability to fine-tune its advice and guidance to the United Nations system in general, but particularly to countries that still fell between the cracks and for which there were no institutional arrangements at the intergovernmental level.

Eugene-Richard Gasana, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, speaking via video link from New York, said socio-economic dividends were necessary to signal the shift from conflict to peace. The Peacebuilding Commission platform of policy discussion had addressed this message and engaged the World Bank board of directors on issues related to conflict, peace and development. The agenda of the Commission now included six African countries. The Commission sought to work closely with the Council in mobilizing resources for countries emerging from conflict situations and to assist the poorest populations. However, Mr. Gasana wished to see even greater commitment and additional support for countries emerging from conflict in the following months.

Zambia spoke after the presentation.

ECOSOC will hold its next meeting at 10 a.m. on Monday, 25 July when it will continue with its General Segment and discuss the “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations.” It will also discuss the “Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan.”

General Segment

Implementation of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits; Review and coordination of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010



Documentation

The Council has before it the Summary Report of the 2010 Parliamentary Hearing (E/2011/72) which contains the summary of the 2010 parliamentary hearing, held in New York on 2 and 3 December 2010, which is circulated pursuant to General Assembly resolution 63/24.

The Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the Director-General of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on the progress in the implementation of the World Food Summit Plan of Action, including on the implementation of the reform of and on progress made towards achieving the vision of the Committee on World Food Security (E/2011/102) is submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 65/178, in which the Assembly invited the Chair of the Committee on World Food Security to report, as part of the Committee’s report to the General Assembly at its sixty-sixth session, through the Economic and Social Council, on the implementation of the reform of, and on progress made towards achieving the vision of, the Committee.

Opening Statements

NIKHIL SETH, Director, Office for Economic and Social Council Support and Coordination, referred to the history of the follow-up architecture established by General Assembly resolutions. Through the nineties conferences had individual follow-up mechanisms and processes undertaken in the context of functional commissions. There seemed to be a duplication of work given commonalities in the overlapping issues in the work of the commissions. Nine-years ago Members States aimed to define a common architecture in the work of these commissions, in General Assembly resolution 57/270B, at the country, regional, inter-agency and inter-governmental levels. There was the feeling that the reporting of the functional commission was enough and an annual integrated report was not needed. Given that the integrated substantive review was pursued by the Annual Ministerial Review, the annual report on the integrated follow-up had added little value in the recent past. The question was what the scope periodicity and content was of this integrated follow-up conference report. To address these challenges, the recent reports of the Secretary-General had made a number of recommendations on the periodicity and scope of future reports. Rio+20 would have an impact on rethinking integration of development issues and would provide an opportunity of this earlier mandate of an integrated conference follow up. At this stage it would be sensible for the Council to defer this decision on periodicity and scope until after the Rio+20 debates, in the context of a new integrated principle of development being articulated.

CHEICK SIDI DIARRA, Under-Secretary-General, Special Adviser on Africa and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, said it was an honour to present an oral report on the outcome of the fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020. The Istanbul Programme of Action was the culmination of the outcomes of 19 pre-conference events and contributions from other processes and events. Development partners announced more than 100 deliverables for least developed countries’ development. The parliamentary forum stressed the need for greater accountability by all partners, with least developed countries taking full ownership and leadership of their development programmes. The civil society forum covered a wide range of development challenges faced by least developed countries. The forum underlined that the current development paradigm should be revisited, moving away from the present market-driven agenda towards implementing people-centered development policies. The private sector track marked an important milestone for the United Nations as it was the first time that the private sector was fully involved into the programmes of a major United Nations conference.

The Istanbul Programme of Action brought about a qualitative shift in the development strategy for least developed countries for the next decade. The main focus of the Programme of Action was on building a critical mass of viable and competitive productive capacity. It provided strong emphasis on technological innovation and technology transfer to least developed countries. There was a clear preference for revitalizing and diversifying in agricultural production. It accorded special emphasis on food and nutritional security and rural development. Least developed countries and their development partners set ambitious goals of doubling the share of least developed countries’ exports in global exports by 2020. The Programme of Action called for reducing commodity dependence in least developed countries. In the area of human and social development, parties committed to attaining the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and making further significant progress beyond 2015. The continued vulnerability of least developed countries to economic shocks and natural disasters as well as the effects of climate change required a renewed focus on resilience. Special emphasis was accorded to mobilizing financial resources for development, capacity-building and debt relief. Ensuring good governance involved enhancing democracy, respect for all human rights, transparency, accountability and equitable governance at the international level. Transitioning and graduating countries out of the least developed country status was also made a priority. In order to achieve the ambitious objectives of the Istanbul Programme of Action all stakeholders had to contribute to implement the agreed priority actions.

General Discussion

NATALIA HANDRUJOVICZ (Argentina), speaking on behalf of the G77 and China, said the G77 and China remained deeply concerned by the insufficient progress in achieving the targets in the implementation of the Brussels Programme of Action, particularly with regards to alleviating poverty. Least developed countries had special needs and interests and the G77 and China called for their special treatment in terms of policy space and the nature and magnitude of support. The macroeconomic reforms implemented by least developed countries over the last decade in fulfillment of their commitments under the Brussels Programme of Action had contributed to improved economic performance. Nevertheless the crisis had shown that these achievements remained precarious. It was urgent for development partners to deliver on their commitments and step up their support towards its implementation. Taking into account the adoption of the Istanbul Programme of Action, the G77 and China stressed the crucial role of developed countries as development partners for investment in physical and human capital, in reducing poverty and the promotion of growth and sustainable development. Official development assistance should be scaled up, enhanced and sustained to least developed countries and multilateral financial institutions were critical to achieve development and socio-economic and structural progress and transformation. Developing countries were proud of being able to implement the Istanbul Programme of Action through south-south cooperation, maintaining the specific identity of cooperation among developing countries and preserving its logic based on solidarity and respect for national priorities; and looked forward to the promotion of south-south and triangular cooperation within their own capacities in order to give value to the Programme of Action.

REMIGIUSZ A. HENCZEL (Poland), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said that the European Union had always been at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to support the least developed countries and was its largest donor. Over the past decade the European Union had nearly tripled the amount of its aid to the least developed countries, reaching an annual level of 15 billion euro in 2010. The right conditions and right environment should be created for the sustainable development of least developed countries. Policies should be aligned with the aid and development effectiveness agendas. The European Union had been fulfilling its commitments in this regard. In Brussels, ten years ago, the European Union committed itself to giving duty free and quota free access to all imports from least developed countries. The European Union had taken significant steps to improve aid effectiveness and policy coherence for development and worked to assess the feasibility of innovative financing mechanisms with significant revenue generation potential. Important initiatives in recent years such as the Food Facility, the Millennium Development Goals Initiative and Vulnerability FLEX, targeted the poorest and most vulnerable countries. The European Union welcomed the successful outcome of the Fourth Least Developed Countries Conference in Istanbul. The priority was to translate the Programme of Action into concrete orientations and measures. The European Union would take this forward in its bilateral cooperation with least developed countries in full respect for the principles of national ownership and leadership. The European Union was fully committed to making the Programme of Action a success so that at the next meeting 10 years from now far fewer countries would be referred to as least developed.

SHANKER DAS BAIRAGI (Nepal), speaking on behalf of the least developed countries, said structural handicaps and constraints greatly impeded least developed countries’ development efforts. As a consequence, they were mostly off-track in meeting the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. The multiple yet mutually exacerbating economic and financial as well as food and fuel crises combined with disproportionate impacts of climate change had significantly eroded development gains in least developed countries over the years. Building least developed countries’ resilience, through specific and targeted international support measures, would help them withstand endogenous and exogenous shocks, which were a prerequisite for sustained economic growth and sustainable development. Least developed countries needed additional, predictable and adequate financial and technical support for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Substantial efforts needed to be made to ensure debt sustainability of least developed countries, including through innovative measures. Least developed countries should be ensured greater market access. Quantification of goals and targets would ensure effective implementation of the Programme of Action and its follow-up, monitoring and evaluation at the national, regional and international levels. As a logical step towards fully and timely implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action, its integration into national contexts as well as relevant international processes remained critical.

IGOR N. SHCHERBAK (Russian Federation) said the Russian Federation had consistently called for the strengthening of the Economic and Social Council. The mutually complementary nature of the development agenda required an integrated approach. The Russian Federation had actively participated in the review on strengthening the Economic and Social Council. The Russian Federation welcomed the outcomes of the Fourth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries. The Istanbul Programme of Action would strengthen support and development assistance for least developed countries. The Russian Federation continued to be committed to multifaceted development for least developed countries and had contributed increasing amounts of development aid and cooperated with all actors, including the private sector, in providing development assistance. The creation of favourable external conditions for the development of least developed countries would only be possible with the cooperation of the entire international system. In addition to traditional development cooperation, south-south and triangular cooperation had an important role to play. It was important to establish a United Nations based system to collect and analyze statistical data on this type of cooperation.

YUMIRKA FERNANDEZ (Cuba) reiterated the importance of the role played by the Economic and Social Council in the follow-up and coordination of international conferences. Cuba underlined the usefulness of examining current trends in international cooperation for development trends, including political and financial strategies and promoting dialogue among Member States in order to find new means for cooperation. In the midst of the financial, food and environmental crises, the Council should review development policies by financial institutions. The Council should work to improve its cooperation with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the World Trade Organization and the Bretton Woods institutions. The internationally agreed goal of eradicating poverty by 2015 seemed increasingly far away. Food insecurity was not a circumstantial phenomenon but the consequence of the current international economic order, which sustained and deepened poverty, inequality and injustice. While this situation worsened, industrialized countries seemed only concerned to bail out banks and transnational corporations, leaving aside the more vulnerable sectors even within their own societies and violating basic rights of people. The commitment to provide 0.7 per cent of GDP for development assistance by developed countries should be fulfilled and international cooperation should be strengthened and provided without conditionalities.

RUTH STONE (Australia) applauded the adoption by the General Assembly of a serious Programme of Action and underlined the need to work in order to generate the conditions for economic growth of the least developed countries. Australia had contributed $ two million to the Enhanced Integrated Framework to help least developed countries to mainstream trade into their national development plans. Following an independent review of its aid programme, Australia would increase its multilateral engagement and cooperation with least developed countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Caribbean. The Istanbul Programme of Action should be pursued in international fora and processes and the United Nations, Member States and development partners should work together towards an implementation framework that would ensure the success of the Istanbul Programme of Action.

HELEN BECK (Solomon Islands) said the new programme agreed to by the international community aimed to assist least developed countries to address the many development challenges involved in eradicating poverty and meeting the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. The focus should now be to ensure timely and effective implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action and make sure that commitments were translated into concrete activities on the ground. The Programme of Action identified key development sectors and related activities that would need the collective support and commitment of the international community and least developed countries. The eradication of poverty, investments in productive capacity, technology transfer, diversification of agriculture, agreements on climate change and trade, and capacity building were necessary to promote economic development opportunities for the poorest of the poor in least developed countries. There was also a need to enhance benefits from south-south and triangular cooperation in support of least developed countries’ development efforts. The Solomon Islands reiterated the need for effective implementation, follow-up, monitoring and evaluation of the Istanbul Programme of Action at the national, regional and international levels.

IRUTHISHAM ADAM (Maldives) said the Maldives was the third country to graduate from the list of least developed countries at the beginning of the year. However, the import-based economy remained fragile and vulnerable to external shocks. While slowly recovering from the financial crisis, the Maldives had begun to feel the impact of a looming global food crisis. Small island developing states and small island least developed countries often had high per-capita income that veiled high economic vulnerability and structural shortcomings. The absence of a sound and institutionalized exit strategy and smooth transition measures from the least developed countries list could reverse decades of developmental triumphs in small island least developed countries. The Maldives recently led the adoption of a resolution in the General Assembly regarding travel-related benefits to graduating least developed countries, paving the way for participation in the design of international development policies. However, piecemeal efforts were not sufficient for addressing the gaps within the United Nations support system. There needed to be a more coherent process of phasing out special measures for least developed countries within institutional frameworks. Any programme directed at these vulnerable countries had to be supported through measurable goals, targets, monitoring mechanisms and smooth transition measures.

RANDHIR JAISWAL (India) congratulated Ambassador Diarra for his leadership in the least developed countries process. Fifty per cent of the least developed countries would graduate from the group by 2020. Deliverables were announced in Istanbul and India hoped this would be the nucleolus around which international contributions would be provided. During the humanitarian segment a number of pledges from humanitarian partners had been made and similar enthusiasm was needed for development goals. The Rio+20 process would have an important impact on development and the consensus on least developed countries should have an impact on this conference. Development technology would have an important impact on education and the provision of services and India welcomed initiatives to provide virtual education in many places. India looked forward to the implementation of the line of credit and grants announced in Istanbul.

SONG SHANGZHE (China) said that the least developed countries were vulnerable and had weak capacities; needs and challenges characterized their development process. It was the responsibility of the international community to ensure that these countries could face these difficulties. Their structural vulnerability had not been significantly improved and the recent financial crises added to the problems and made it more difficult to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The Fourth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries in Istanbul gave expression to the international community’s firm commitment to assist least developed countries and built on the Brussels Programme of Action. It provided a systemic assessment of the experiences and challenges of least developed countries, priorities and the need for support from the international community; and articulated the ambitious goal of graduating half of the least developed countries by 2020. The international community should fully and comprehensively implement the Programme of Action and translate commitments into actions; respect national ownership and development strategies; and address their development concerns through concrete actions. It was necessary to establish monitoring mechanisms and an integrated implementation of the Istanbul Orogramme of Action into the mandates of agencies and international organizations. China provided support for least developed countries within its south-south cooperation framework and in 2010 half of its foreign aid was directed to least developed countries. China would continue to scale up its support to least developed countries to overcome development challenges and benefit from opportunities.

PATRICIA CHANDA CHIZANGA KONDOLO (Zambia) said the Istanbul Programme of Action outlined comprehensively what the least developed countries wanted to achieve. With the necessary political commitment and specific and targeted support, the least developed countries would meet internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals and the objectives of the Istanbul Programme of Action. By 2020, with the structural change of least developed countries and the integration of least developed countries into the global economy, half of the least developed countries should be graduated from the group according to the criteria set out.

MAKOTO HAYASHI (Japan) said the Fourth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries had been a great success. The Istanbul Programme of Action identified what should be done in the years to come in terms of cooperation and ownership of national governments. The Government of Japan was committed to implementing in the Istanbul Programme of Action and continuing to engage on the issue. The Istanbul Programme of Action provided a way forward, with the view of guiding least developed countries and the international community towards sustainable development, including through south-south and triangular cooperation.

JOHN SAMMIS (United States) said the United States thanked the Government of Turkey for hosting the Fourth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries in Istanbul and reaffirmed its commitment to the implementation of the Programme of Action. The statement by the G77 had been disappointing and its one-sided focus on commitments did not fully reflect the discussions and negotiations in Istanbul. The success or failure of the Programme of Action over the coming decade should not be seen exclusively as a question of donors and development partners fulfilling their commitments. The United States asked Mr. Diarra about the work of the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States and the priorities of the least developed countries in the period leading to the Rio+20 conference.

ARJUN KUMAR KARKI, of Least Developed Countries Watch, speaking in a joint statement, said that it was crucial to create jobs for the growing number of young people in least developed countries. Inclusive policies, sustainable use of natural resources and diversification should be pursued through the promotion of strong domestic economies, including creating opportunities for cooperatives, small and medium enterprises and women-led projects. Education was crucial for the full enjoyment of rights and citizens’ participation in social and economic development. Further actions, political will and accountability were necessary for the effective implementation and fulfillment of the commitments of the Istanbul Programme of Action.

Concluding Remarks

CHEICK SIDI DIARRA, Under-Secretary-General, Special Adviser on Africa and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, said there was unanimity that international support for least developed countries was necessary to graduate them out of the group over the next 10 years. There was collective agreement among developing, emerging and developed countries that support should be enhanced. This demonstrated the commitment and international solidarity called for by the United Nations Charter. It was absolutely correct that it was necessary to establish consistent mechanisms to help countries to move to graduation in a way that assured support was not immediately cut off and thereby, development progress stifled. Some measures had been in place for this purpose. The working group would consider prospects for graduation on an agreed basis, and gradually. The Office of the Under-Secretary-General had participated in all preparation processes leading up to Rio +20 and had had the opportunity to participate in the inter-governmental process. All elements of a sustainable development agenda were close to the priority areas of least developed countries as laid out in the Istanbul Programme of Action. The economic aspect was included in development, growth and trade areas. The social aspect related to strengthening human capital. And the protection of biodiversity and the environment were important in both agendas. All that was contained in the Istanbul Programme of Action should be mainstreamed into the two thematic elements of Rio + 20. Mr. Diarra had suggested incorporating energy and scarcity of water resources as priorities that would have a positive impact on economic development, peace and security in least developed countries.

Action on Resolutions

The Council adopted, without a vote, resolution (E/2011/L.27) on the role of the Economic and Social Council in the Integrated and Coordinated Implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of major United Nations conferences and summits, that says that the Economic and Social Council, recalling its decision 2010/252 of 23 July 2010 on the role of the Economic and Social Council in the integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of major United Nations conferences and summits, in the light of relevant General Assembly resolutions, including resolution 61/16, decides to request the Secretary-General to prepare a note containing recommendations on the periodicity and scope of future reports on the topic for consideration at its 2012 substantive session.

CHARLOTTE MONTEL (France), speaking before the adoption of resolution E/2011/L.32), expressed reservations concerning the difference between the agreed text and that presented this morning, and made an oral amendment.

The Council adopted, without a vote as orally amended, decision (E.2011/L.32) on the Report of the Committee on World Food Security to the Economic and Social Council, in which it decides to discontinue its quadrennial consideration of reports on progress in the implementation of the World Food Summit Plan of Action, with effect from 2011; and invites the Chair of the Committee on World Food Security to transmit to the Economic and Social Council every year, starting in 2012, a report on the main decisions and policy recommendations made as well as the results achieved by the Committee in the area of food security and nutrition, in accordance with its new roles and vision.

The Council adopted, without a vote, resolution (E/2011/L.31) on the programme of Action for Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020, in which it decides to include the Istanbul Programme of Action as part of its review of the implementation of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits. The Council calls upon the least developed countries, with the support of their development partners, to promote implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action, including by integrating its provisions into their national policies and development framework and conducting regular reviews with the full involvement of all key stakeholders; also calls upon the least developed countries, in cooperation with their development partners, to broaden their existing country review mechanisms, including those for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, and the implementation of poverty reduction strategy papers, common country assessments and United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks, and the existing consultative mechanisms to cover the review of the Istanbul Programme of Action; decides to include the review of the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action in its annual ministerial review in 2015; also decides that the Development Cooperation Forum should take into consideration the Istanbul Programme of Action when it reviews the trends in international development cooperation, as well as policy coherence for development; and requests the Secretary-General to submit a progress report on the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020 to the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 2012 under the sub-item entitled “Review and coordination of the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020.

The Council also took note of the Summary Report of the 2010 Parliamentary Hearing (E/2011/72) and the Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the Director-General of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on the progress in the implementation of the World Food Summit Plan of Action, including on the implementation of the reform of and on progress made towards achieving the vision of the Committee on World Food Security (E/2011/102).

Coordination, programme and other questions: Reports of coordination bodies; Proposed programme budget for the biennium 2012-2013; Calendar of conferences and meetings in the economic, social and related fields; and United Nations research and training institutes

Documentation

The Council has before it the Report of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (A/66/16) and the (relevant fascicles of document A/66/6: A/66/6 (Sect. 9), A/66/6 (Sect. 10), A/66/6 (Sect. 12), A/66/6 (Sect. 13), A/66/6 (Sect. 14), A/66/6 (Sect. 15), A/66/6 (Sect. 16), A/66/6 (Sect. 16)/Corr.1, A/66/6 (Sect. 17), A/66/6 (Sect. 18), A/66/6 (Sect. 19), A/66/6 (Sect. 20), A/66/6 (Sect. 21), A/66/6 (Sect. 22), A/66/6 (Sect. 23), A/66/6 (Sect. 24), A/66/6 (Sect. 25), A/66/6 (Sect. 26), A/66/6 (Sect. 26)/Corr.1 and A/66/6 (Sect. 27)) concerning the Proposed Programme Budget for the Biennium 2012-2013.

The Council has before it the Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (E/2011/115) which notes that since January 2010, the Institute has embarked on a set of new strategic priorities that aim to bring it closer to its goal of becoming a centre of excellence in the fields of training, capacity development and research on knowledge systems. The Institute has recorded a 33 per cent increase in beneficiaries and a 5.4 per cent increase in the number of events held in 2010 compared to 2009. The use of technology-enhanced tools has increased, and important achievements have been made in enhancing the diversity and quality of the Institute’s products and services, and in results-based management. The Institute has also begun to implement a new business model that has self-generated income at its core.

The Report of the Director of the United Nations System Staff College on the activities of the College (E/2011/116) shows the gradual growth of the College and its firm commitment to serving as a centre of excellence for learning and knowledge management for the United Nations system as a whole. The growing trust placed in the College’s services by organizations of the United Nations system is evidence of a consolidated reputational shift that the College was able to initiate and maintain during the reporting period.

The Letter from the Chair of the Committee on Conferences to the President of the Economic and Social Council (E/2011/128) outlines the Committee on Conferences meeting on 24 June 2011 to review the provisional calendar of conferences and meetings for 2012 and 2013 in the economic, social and related fields (E/2011/L.10) and welcomed the opportunity to provide, as appropriate, its recommendations thereon to the Council.

The Report of the Council of the Council of the United Nations University on the work of the University (E/2011/129) lists the mission and vision of the United Nations University and lists the activities and achievements in 2010.

Opening Statements

CARLOS LOPES, Assistant Secretary-General, Executive Director, United Nations Institute for Training and Research and Director, United Nations System Staff College, introducing the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, said that education should be viewed in broad terms and the role of lifelong learning in filling critical gaps in knowledge, skills and awareness and meeting the internationally agreed goals and commitments. In 2010 the Institute began implementation of a new set of strategic actions to further reform, including identifying and responding more effectively to beneficiary needs; enhancing the quality and diversity of training products and services; strengthening efficiency, effectiveness and accountability in delivering results; and increasing the Institute’s autonomy. Responding to thematic needs, new training was developed on topics as diverse as United Nations reform and functioning of United Nations operational activities, risks stemming from nanotechnology, strengthening ethics and governance in financial markets, and enhancing access to basic services in response to urbanization trends. The Institute undertook gender-related training, launched a virtual learning environment, increased outreach through technology-enhanced learning, strengthened its managing-for-results capabilities, introduced web-based events management system, and worked to increase its financial autonomy with a new business model and diversifying sources of funding.

Despite overall financial growth, mostly from earmarked voluntary contributions, the Institute continued to struggle with weak and unpredictable non-earmarked voluntary contributions. Responses to the General Assembly’s appeal for contributions to the new Fellowship Fund, designed as a facility to reduce or waive fees to eligible beneficiaries from developing countries, remained regrettably low. The report of the Secretary-General recommended that Member States provided full support, including the necessary means to address the alarming low levels of the General Fund and the lack of financial resources to the Fellowship Fund and to identify concrete actions with a view to finding a sustainable solution. Mr. Lopes reiterated the importance of retaining a holistic vision of education for meeting contemporary social and economic development challenges. It was through adult-centered learning and education that the United Nations Institute for Training and Research was working to contribute to meeting global challenges of today.

CARLOS LOPES, Assistant Secretary-General, Executive Director, United Nations Institute for Training and Research and Director, United Nations System Staff College, said the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations System Staff College covered the period of the two years since July 2009. A detailed review of the College’s activities and projects was provided in the report. One tangible result of the college’s increased performance could be found in the new, more credible perception of the college vis-à-vis the United Nations system. The College was now recognized widely as a reputable training provider for the United Nations system. Its inter-agency mandate added real value to its offerings. The College had also continued to be entrusted with the delivery of high-level knowledge sharing events. The Staff College had in particular established its reputation in the area of strategic leadership training. In broader terms, the general offering of the College had been further refined and aligned to the constantly evolving needs of the system. Its courses clearly supported the United Nations global agenda in many key areas: fostering a more cohesive management culture, promoting system-wide coherence and efficiency, strengthening the concept and use of knowledge sharing in the system, and operating in the field of staff safety and security. The increased results and growing standing of the College prompted a number of stronger partnerships both within the United Nations system and with the international academic arena. The new ventures further confirmed the College’s role as a centre of excellence in inter-agency training, learning and knowledge sharing.

Interactive Discussion

RODRIGO PINTADO (Mexico) welcomed the progress made by the Institute in improving its working methods, implementing new technologies and expanding the scope of its programmes, in particular in developing countries. The significant increase in beneficiaries in trainings was a clear sign of the impact it had in the field promoting development policies based on tangible results. Mexico had benefited from its training programmes, particularly those training young diplomats in environmental topics. While the success of the Institute was reflected in the increase of earmarked contributions, Mexico noted the financial challenges highlighted by the report of the Secretary-General due to the lack of contributions to the ordinary budget; and endorsed the recommendations of the report, including the appeal for more regular non-earmarked contributions so that the Institute could continue with its work.

SEBASTIEN CHATELUS (France) acknowledged the good working relationship France had with the Institute through its board of directors and financial committee. A new differentiated invoicing system had been implemented and diplomatic training had been resumed after its interruption in 2010. France agreed with the report concerning the financial challenges faced by the Institute. The resolution currently under discussion called for further work with new partners and underlined the need to find sponsors. For example capacity building programmes carried out by the World Meteorological Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organization, among others, could be carried out in partnership with the Institute. France hoped that on that basis solutions could be found to the financial challenges on the basis of the quality of its training and its capacity to provide ad hoc needs.

ENRICO VICENTI (Italy) said Italy welcomed the report of the Secretary-General which described in detail the activities of the College aimed at fostering a cohesive management culture in the United Nations system, reinforcing system-wide coherence, strengthening knowledge sharing and supporting the peace, security and staff safety efforts of the United Nations. The College’s emphasis on inter-agency approaches was of particular relevance in light of the growing need for a coordinated response of the United Nations to the current global problems. The report of the Secretary-General put emphasis on the expansion of courses organized by the college, based on up-to-date learning tools, the growth in the number of beneficiaries, and the increased partnership with academic institutions of the south. Italy was proud to host the United Nations Staff College in Turin and welcomed the resolution in support of the College.

GRIGORY V. USTINOV (Russian Federation) said the United Nations Institute for Training and Research had achieved significant results in transitioning into an institution that was results-oriented. It had enjoyed growth in the number of donors involved and programmes provided. The Russian Federation appreciated the role of the United Nations System Staff College in providing services for remote learning. This initiative allowed the United Nations to cut back on expenditures and expand the number of attendees, particularly from the developing world. The Russian Federation welcomed the work of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research on law and migration. The Russian Federation was fully satisfied with the implementation of the strategic plan of 2010-2012. Shifting the United Nations Institute for Training and Research to a new management model would cut back on administrative costs and allow for stable financing. The Russian Federation expressed concern about the low amount of resources available which could affect the initiatives of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. The Russian Federation fully supported the Secretary-General’s call for more flexible and targeted financing.

ANAS ALAMI-HAMEDANE (Morocco) said Morocco recognized the contribution of training programmes and capacity building, particularly for developing countries, and their contribution to innovative methodologies to reinforce the effectiveness of activities such as peacekeeping, security and development. Morocco commended the reforms which allowed the Institute to adapt new management tools and efficient implementation of its programmes, promoting international cooperation and multilateral diplomacy. Morocco supported the appeal for funding for the Institute to continue to provide diplomatic training. The role of United Nations Institute for Training and Research made it an ideal body to consolidate research at the United Nations system at the country level. It could also make a contribution in research and formation responding to existing needs. Greater priorities should be attached to training activities.

Action on Resolutions

The Council adopted, without a vote, resolution (E/2011/L.10) entitled the Provisional Calendar of Conferences and Meetings in the Economic, Social and Related Fields for 2012 and 2013, in which the Economic and Social Council is invited to review the calendar of conferences and meetings for 2012 and 2013 in the economic, social and related fields and approve the meetings of its subsidiary bodies. Information on meetings of related bodies and conferences and meetings of governing bodies of specialized agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency is also provided. The attention of the Council is drawn to the relevant provisions of General Assembly resolutions 45/264, 46/235, 50/227 and 61/16 on the restructuring and revitalization of the United Nations in the economic, social and related fields, which have been taken into account in the preparation of the calendar. The Council is invited to consider further the biennialization of the sessions of its subsidiary bodies, in accordance with paragraph 2 (f) (ii) of its resolution 1988/77 and General Assembly resolution 50/206 A. Attention is drawn to Council decision 1988/103, in which the Council decided to invite the Committee on Conferences to review the Council’s draft calendar of conferences and meetings and submit, as appropriate, its recommendations thereon to the Council.

The Council adopted, without a vote as amended, resolution (E/2011/L.25) on the United Nations Staff College in Turin, Italy, welcomes the progress made by the United Nations System Staff College, over the past two years, in providing high-quality learning and training to the United Nations system; calls upon all organizations of the United Nations system to make full and effective use of the services provided by the Staff College; encourages Member States to continue to support the Staff College by recognizing its unique inter-agency mandate and its important role in fostering system-wide coherence and strategic leadership; and encourages Member States to continue to support the Staff College by
recognizing its unique inter-agency mandate and its important role in fostering
system-wide coherence and strategic leadership.

The Council adopted, without a vote, resolution (E/2011/L.39) on the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, in which the Council takes note of the report of the Secretary-General and welcomes the establishment of the Fellowship Fund and the strategic plan for 2010-2012. The resolution calls upon the Institute to pursue innovations in the field of capacity development and to pursue its efforts to enhance the capabilities of learning centers in developing countries with innovative methodologies; encourages the Institute to continue improving its effectiveness and the high quality of its output; and invites Member States to identify concrete actions to respond to the challenges referred to in paragraphs 61 and 62 of the report of the Secretary-General, as well as to strengthen the Institute to contribute more effectively to development cooperation.

The Council took note of the annual review report of the United Nations system Chief Executive Board for Coordination 2010/2011 (E/2011/104) and the report of the Council of the United Nations University on the work of the University (E/2011/129).

The Council took note of the Report of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (A/66/16) and the (relevant fascicles of document A/66/6: A/66/6 (Sect. 9), A/66/6 (Sect. 10), A/66/6 (Sect. 12), A/66/6 (Sect. 13), A/66/6 (Sect. 14), A/66/6 (Sect. 15), A/66/6 (Sect. 16), A/66/6 (Sect. 16)/Corr.1, A/66/6 (Sect. 17), A/66/6 (Sect. 18), A/66/6 (Sect. 19), A/66/6 (Sect. 20), A/66/6 (Sect. 21), A/66/6 (Sect. 22), A/66/6 (Sect. 23), A/66/6 (Sect. 24), A/66/6 (Sect. 25), A/66/6 (Sect. 26), A/66/6 (Sect. 26)/Corr.1 and A/66/6 (Sect. 27)) concerning the Proposed Programme Budget for the Biennium 2012-2013.


Coordination, programme and other questions: African countries emerging from conflict

JAN GRAULS, Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council, said the Economic and Social Council continued to take great interest in ensuring that the development efforts in countries emerging from conflict were viable and sustainable. Over the years, the Council had addressed the special needs of African countries emerging from conflict including by establishing ad hoc advisory groups to promote an integrated approach to relief, reconstruction and development and encourage the mobilization of resources. The Council had established such groups on two of the countries currently on the Peacebuilding Commission’s agenda – namely Burundi and Guinea Bissau. While no longer functional, these groups played a pioneering role in advancing the concept of an integrated approach to peace development and were catalysts for addressing the gap in the United Nation’s architecture for dealing with post-conflict countries. Since the establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission in 2006, the Council and the Commission had established a working relationship to address issues of mutual concern by convening informal meetings and other events. Most recently, the Council and the Commission held an informal joint event on promoting durable peace and sustainable development in Sudan and South Sudan. The informal summary of the event was circulated to all Member States. Of great value to the Council’s work were also the periodic briefings it received over the years from the Chair of the Peacebuilidng Commission on best practices and lessons learned which were of relevance for addressing the economic and social challenges of peacebuilding in other African countries emerging from conflict. The advisory role of the Commission could help to strengthen the Economic and Social Council’s ability to fine-tune its advice and guidance to the United Nations system in general but particularly to countries that still fell between the cracks and for which there were no institutional arrangement at the intergovernmental level. The briefing would provide additional food for thought on how the support provided by the United Nations system could be further strengthened.

EUGENE-RICHARD GASANA, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, speaking via video link from New York, said that this briefing testified to the links between peacebuilding and socio-economic development. The Economic and Social Council could play an important role to ensure that socio-economic development remained at the heart of the international community’s support and the global response to post conflict situations. Socio-economic dividends were necessary to signal the shift from conflict to peace and this constituted a key message of the 2010 review of the United Nations peacekeeping architecture. A policy discussion platform had addressed this message and engaged the board of directors of the World Bank on issues on conflict peace and development. The Peacebuilding Commission had been concerned in the preparation of the report of the senior advisory group on civilian capacity in the aftermath of conflict; and on the issue of trafficking and organized crime in West Africa and the plan of action of the Economic Community of West African States in this regard. In its interaction with senior United Nations and World Bank officials, the Commission had emphasized the need to link security processes in post-conflict situations to the economy and employment generation, to focus on building national capacity at the early stage; and to support delivery of quick dividends and institution building, national ownership including peacebuilding process, and demand-driven interventions. The Commission advocated for policy at the normative level drawn from experiences on the ground and broader lessons of the international community over decades.

Since the last briefing in July 2010, two African countries, Liberia and Guinea, were added to the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission, which included in total six African countries. As part of its activities, the Commission was involved in consultations with the Government of Burundi concerning future support for peacebuilding, resource mobilization and poverty reduction. In the Central African Republic, the Commission accompanied the Government’s efforts towards upcoming presidential and legislative elections and, along with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, contributed to the $ 7.5 million funding gap in the electoral budget. In Guinea, the Commission worked on three priorities, promotion of national reconciliation, security and defense sector reform, and the youth and employment policy. With the support of Brazil and international financial institutions, the Commission continued to work in Guinea Bissau at a moment when bilateral donors had decided to reduce assistance and urged civil and military authorities to uphold the rule of law, promote development, and to fight drug-trafficking and organized crime.

In Liberia, the Commission’s configuration had promoted an agreement between the Government and other stakeholders on the need to develop a national reconciliation strategy. A delegation of the Commission had visited Sierra Leone and commended the process made after the civil war, particularly on anti-corruption measures and youth employment, although Mr. Gasana noted that challenges remained concerning upcoming elections and indicated that the last phase of peace consolidation demanded significant improvements in living conditions that would be only possible on the basis of increased foreign investment.

Mr. Gasana thanked the President of ECOSOC and delegates for their cooperation between the Council and the Commission, the annual joint meetings were of mutual interest and had drawn a great deal of attention to the economic and developmental aspects of consolidating peace; the case of South Sudan had been an additional step in the consolidation of this cooperation between the Commission and the Council. The Commission wished to work closely with the Council, mobilizing resources for countries emerging from conflict situations and assisting the poorest populations. A greater commitment and additional support for countries emerging from conflict in the following months would be necessary. The Commission would benefit from its relationship with the Council and donors in order to make a difference in countries emerging from conflict.

IRENE B.M. TEMBO (Zambia) said Zambia believed there were important elements on lessons learned from the work of the Peacebuilding Commission that were relevant for the Economic and Social Council’s consideration in providing guidance to the United Nations system on how to best support countries similar to those on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission. Over the last several years Members States had emphasized the importance of the need for a comprehensive approach to conflict prevention and peacebuilding and coordinated support to countries emerging from conflict. The Council could benefit from the advice of the Peacebuilding Commission, including evaluating lessons learned in the economic, social, environmental and humanitarian fields of peacebuilding and integrating these into policy guidance for the Council to promote a wide array of policy approaches and best practices to develop answers to the complex and difficult needs of countries emerging from conflict.


For use of the information media; not an official record

ECOSOC11/023E