Mr. Co-Chairman,
My delegation would like to share today with you its point of view and comments regarding the recommendations on ECOSOC, and, in this regard, fully associates itself
with the position expressed in the document of the G77 and China.
Regarding the organization and methods of work of the ECOSOC and especially the idea of holding various segments at different pre-established periods during the
year, we are not sure that such an idea could be easily concretized and moreover we believe that holding various meetings during the year would be quite costly for the
Organization.
At the same time, my delegation would like to welcome the extension of the length of the segment on the operational activities for development as proposed by the
Secretary General, provided that the proposed extension does not affect the duration of the other segments.
In this context, I would like also to recall here that if the role of the ECOSOC has been strengthened by the adoption of the resolution 50/227 and the Agenda for
development, this does not imply that the ECOSOC can and will provide mandatory policy guidance to the different programs and funds, and in coordinating the work f
the programmes and funds.
In fact, while we are of the view that the coordination role of the ECOSOC should be reinforced, we believe at the same time that the general role of this organ cannot
go beyond providing general orientations.
Now, regarding the suggestion on establishing a new Trust Fund to facilitate the participation of officials from the least developed countries in the segment on operational
activities for development, warmly my delegation can only welcome it and call for its speedy implementation.
Mr. Co-Chairman,
Concerning the Committee for Development Planning we believe that its mandate should be expanded even if this means that it should change its name, and we suggest
that it undertake studies in relation with the high-level segment of the ECOSOC.
As far as the replacement of the CDP by panels of experts on various issues is concerned, we consider that the proposal could be an acceptable one provided that these
experts are appointed in the framework of ECOSOC on an intergovernmental basis and taking into account the principle of equitable geographical distribution.
Mr. Co-Chairman,
Regarding the recommendation on the subsidiary bodies of the ECOSOC, my delegation is in fact in favor of reinforcing the prerogatives of the Commission on
sustainable development and on maintaining the autonomy of the Committee on New and Renewable Sources of Energy and Energy for Development and of the
Committee on Natural Resources.
We are of the view in this regard that the activities of these two committees should not be apprehended only within the environmental framework, but within a more
global framework that takes also into account the economic aspects.
The Commission on Science and Technology should from our point of view remain autonomous and even expand its attributions to intersectorial issues like transfer of
technology and reinforcement of capabilities.
Mr. Co-Chairman,
Regarding the general review the ECOSOC could initiate on the regional commissions, we fully adhere to the justifications and motivations expressed by the Secretary
General. We believe at the same time that such an overall review should take place in a coherent manner and in this regard, the ECOSOC should give general
orientations concerning the said review and take into account the reforms already carried out by the Commissions and their role in the context of global organization.
As far as the substance is concerned, we think that the regional commissions should keep their double mandate, the normative and the operational one, due to the fact
that, as the Secretary General rightly put it, these regional commissions remain the bodies that are "par excellence" politically neutral and democratic and where each
country of the region has an equal voice" beside their valuable contribution and experience in the field of development and regional integration. Furthermore we consider
it very important to ensure that these commissions will continue to provide their technical assistance to the developing countries.
I will conclude my remarks by requesting additional clarifications concerning the submission of the report of the Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights to
the ECOSOC by the Commission on Human Rights.
Thank you.
