PR No. 59 PAKISTAN WINS ELECTION TO KEY UN BODY Islamabad: June 14, 2018

Pakistan has won a seat on the 54 member United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) after receiving 175 votes, says a press release received here today from New York. Elections to membership of the Council were held in the 193 member UN General Assembly. Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN said, after the election, that today’s vote by the General Assembly is a validation of Pakistan’s meaningful engagement within the United Nations as well as its result-oriented contributions in the areas of international economic and social development. The overwhelming number of votes received by Pakistan is an indication of the strong endorsement by the international community of Pakistan’s robust multilateral credentials and the crucial role it plays at the United Nations. It also reflects the country’s continued commitment to United Nations efforts for economic and social development, as well as environment protection. ECOSOC is one of the most significant Charter bodies of the United Nations for policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on issues of economic and social development. The Council’s role is also critical in ensuring effective and comprehensive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the most ambitious ever adopted by the member states of the UN. Recalling the critical role played by Pakistan in the reform process of the UN Development System (UNDS), Ambassador Lodhi said that as a member of the Council, Pakistan will maintain a dedicated focus on comprehensive implementation of the UN General Assembly resolution on UNDS reform - considered critical for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As a member, she added, Pakistan will continue to work towards strengthening the Council to make it more efficient, effective and responsive to the current social, economic and environmental challenges. Pakistan has served as a member of the Council on 16 occasions starting from 1954, including as its President in 2005 and most recently as Vice President in 2017. After this election, Pakistan will now serve at the Council for a three-year term starting from 1 January 2019.

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