Economic and Social Council: 24th plenary meeting, 2026 Management Segment

Dear colleague, distinguished delegates.
I call to order the 24th meeting of the Economic and Social Council.
The program of work of the management segment was circulated in e delegate and is also available on the website of the council.
Should I remind The elected officer of subsidiary bodies and representatives of the Secretariat, that introductory statements should be limited to form.
State by delegation to five minute for statement on behalf of group of state and only 3 minutes for statements by individual delegations in general discussion.
But 5 minutes for statements in explanation of.
I now invite the council to begin its consideration of agenda 18 C statistics.
I first invite the chair of the Statistical Commission at its 57 session.
Miss Graciela Marquez Collin of Mexico to present the report of the Commission in document E slash 2026 slash 24.
Misses Collins, welcome to New York and you have the floor.
Thank you very much.
Excellencies, distinguished colleagues.
It is an honor for me to address the council as president of the Statistical Commission.
The Statistical Commission for decades has played a fundamental role in establishing synergies between national statistical offices and international bodies.
This with the goal of championing standards, strengthening the production of high quality data, which is reliable and promoting robust, inclusive methodologies.
It's also work to foster continue technological innovation.
The Commission held its 57th session from the fourth to the 6th of March 2026.
It brought together 34 33 rather of its 34 member states, more than 80 observer countries, 19 international organizations, and nine UN system agencies.
This year, the membership expanded 24-34 members.
That is a first step towards expansion to a previously established total of 54 members for the 2028 session.
That's the total we've decided upon for that date.
During its session, the commission examined 36 official documents which were based on 76 working documents.
This material encompassed a wide spectrum of statistical field.
These include data governance, the implementation of national accounting systems for 2025, population and housing censors, SDG indicators, environmental statistics, among others.
In parallel, the commission organized 81 side events with the goal of fostering participation and strengthening the commission's role as a channel for technical global communication.
In general terms, there was active participation from many.
There were a total of 405 statements made by member states observers and international organizations, statements focused particularly on SDG indicators, national accounts, social and demographic statistics.
All of this emphasizes the central role that these statements played in the commission's deliberations.
The report that we're today presenting contains 24 technical decisions.
Allow me now to point to a number of the main outcomes.
Firstly, The cycle of the group of Friends of the chair on social and demographic graphic statistics reached a successful conclusion.
Moreover, the commission agreed to establish a committee of experts on population and social statistics as its successor mechanism.
It will be responsible for making progress with the development and implementation of the framework proposed.
Secondly, the Commission stated that it was ready and willing to support the work of the high level expert group on beyond GDP and was ready to work on developing a broader measure of progress.
In the space of one year, the debate has evolved since the group's creation and initial exchange of views.
Its work has evolved and now move towards presenting a final report which proposes a framework based on relevant indicators for the formulation of public policy.
Thirdly, the commission established the Kigali Group on the preparation of official statistics for AI.
The group recognized the growing use and relevance of AI in the use and consumption of data.
This group was entrusted with the task of establishing its terms of reference in order to support national statistical offices In adapting to the growing complexity of the data ecosystem, discussions in these meetings point to a clear pattern and send out a clear unequivocal message.
Strengthening rather national statistical capacities remains fundamental.
The commission underscored the urgent need to guarantee sustained and innovative investment in data systems to meet growing demand, particularly against the backdrop of Agenda 2030 for sustainable development.
Colleagues, the Statistical Commission reaffirms its full commitment to supporting the work of Ecosoc and its subsidiary bodies, guaranteeing that global policy efforts are rooted in high quality, timely, and reliable data.
Thank you.
I thank the chair of the Statistical Commission.
Does any delegation wish to make a statement in the general discussion of agenda item 19 C? I see no other requests from the floor and the council has thus concluded the general discussion on agenda Item 18 C.
I now invite the council to take action on the draft decision contained in the report of the statistical Commission.
Any statement before the adoption? No request for the floor.
May I take it that the Council wishes to adopt the draft decision entitled Report of the Statistical Commission on its 57th session and provisional agenda and dates of the 58th session of the Commission? No objections.
It is so decided.
Any statement after this adoption? No.
The council has thus concluded its consideration of agenda item 18 C.
I now invite the council to begin its consideration of agenda item 18 A.
Sustainable Development.
I invite the chair of the committee for Development Policy at its 28th session, Mr.
Jose António Ocampo, who is participating via video conference to present the report of the committee contained in document E 2026 33.
Mr.
Ocampo, you have the floor.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues.
I am pleased to introduce the report of the 28th session of the Committee for Development Policy held in New York in person from 23rd to 27th of February 2026.
The committee discussed key issues concerning the future of global development, including financing for development, trade, and the measurement of development and poverty.
Increasing uncertainty in trade and investment, major reductions in development funding, escalation of debt, macroeconomic and geopolitical instability, and an ecological and climate emergency are worsening existing challenges.
This highlights the urgent need for new approaches to development.
The current development framework is no longer suitable for world facing continuous disruptions.
Adré the ongoing crisis in multilateralism requires a paradigm shift that combines long term consensus building with practical measures to address immediate challenges.
Implementation must be at the core of global development framework that delivers a true structural transformation towards sustainable development.
The committee proposes a set of principles as member states start to consider the future of global development framework and a three pronged approach that could advise the development in the current global context.
First, renewing efforts to build an inclusive and effective multilateral development system through broad consensus.
Second, pursuing pragmatic solutions through South South cooperation, regional integration, and coalition of willing partners.
And third, strengthening national ownership, agency, and institutional capacity.
I will elaborate these issues further at a high level segment of the council.
Today, I will focus on our work on least developed countries.
The LDCs are most vulnerable to global crisis and new challenges and many are at risk of being left behind.
They rely more than others on effective multilateralism and must be at the center of efforts to advance global development.
This requires rethinking of support to LDCs, as well as a robust, flexible, and effective framework for graduation from the LDC category.
We had a very fruitful engagement with the co chairs of the newly established General Assembly open ended ad hoc working group on the smooth transition where we presented our suggestions.
We started preparation for the 2027 triennial review in which we will pay close existing graduation criteria and revise our broader set of supplementary graduation indicators.
Together with analytical inputs we received from DESA and Anktad and the consultations we will hold with the concerted countries.
This allows us to better assess risk to the sustainability of development progress before recommending any country for graduation.
Our enhanced monitoring mechanism reveal how persistent structural vulnerabilities, including high debt levels, limited fiscal space, climate vulnerability and slow economic diversification, constraints sustainable development and graduation prospects.
Nevertheless, graduating countries make progress in development transition strategies, although challenges remain in implementation.
The government of Bangladesh requested us to consider a three year extension of its preparation period preceding graduation under the crisis response provisions of the enhanced monitoring mechanism.
This month we submitted to Eicoc our considerations.
In our view, an exist an extension is appropriate provided that Bangladesh advances significantly on domestic reforms.
Last month, we received a similar request from Nepal and actively considering it.
Excellencies.
The Committee for Development Policy remains deeply committed to advancing sustainable development and providing policy advice to the council.
The committee continues to appreciate the interactions with the council at large and between the Bureau of EcoSox and CDP and looks forward to continued engagement in the coming years.
I thank you for your kind attention.
The committee for Development Policy for his statement.
Does any delegation wish to make a statement in the general discussion of this item of the agenda? I see none.
There are no.
The council has thus concluded the general discussion on agenda item 18 A.
I invite the council to turn to draft resolution E 2026 L eight, entitled Report of the Committee for Development Policy on its 28th session.
Report I have submitted in my capacity as vice president of the council on the basis of informal consultation.
I don't know if I had to thank the delegation of Algeria for having facilitated the informal consultation on the draft resolution.
Draft resolution that has no program budget applications.
Does any delegation wish to make a statement in connection with draft resolution L eight? May I take it that the council wish to adopt draft resolution eight.
No objection.
Thank you.
Does any delegation wish to make any statement after the adoption? See are done.
The council has concluded its consideration of agenda item 18.
Let's turn to item 17.
I now invite the council to begin its consideration of agenda item 17, non governmental organization for which the council has before it the report of the committee on non governmental organization on its regular 2026 session as contained in document E 2026 32, Part one.
Before proceeding to action on the draft decisions, does any delegation wish to make statement in the general discussion of agenda item 17? The council has thus concluded general discussion of agenda item 17.
Now action.
Action on the recommendation contained in the report of the committee.
Does any delegation wish to make a statement before action on the draft decision? Switzerland, you have the floor.
Mr.
President, it is my honor to deliver this statement on behalf of a group of 35 member states and my own country, Switzerland.
At the outset, let me recall Ecos Resolution 1996 31, which affirms the indispensable role of NGOs in the United Nations system, bringing expertise, strengthening our evidence base, and ensuring that our work remains grounded in the realities faced by people and communities worldwide.
A well established culture of collaboration between member states and NGOs contributes to effective multilateralism.
But for that partnership to function, it must be grounded in mutual respect and trust, trust in fair procedures, consistent application of rules, and transparent decision making.
While accredit NGOs are rightly expected to uphold the principles governing their consultative status, the committee on NGOs carries an equal responsibility to ensure that its processes are credible, predictable, and fair.
In this context, we take note of the report of the committee on NGOs on its 2026 regular session submitted to Ecosoc with the recommendation to withdraw the consultative status of one NGO as per draft decision three and to suspend the status of another as per draft decision four.
These are among the most serious measures available to the committee, being applied for the first time since 2021.
It is important to note these decisions were not reached by consensus.
We note with concern that the NGOs in question did not receive clear written reasons for the decision to suspend or withdraw their status and did not have an opportunity to present their response for appropriate consideration by the committee.
The NGOs were given only four days 26-30 January to respond to questions, and the committee had only a few hours to consider those responses.
Such a time frame is exceptionally short, particularly when compared to the usual time frames for accreditation and examination procedures in the CNGO.
At the time, these procedural concerns were raised by some members of the committee as well as Switzerland as an observer before the CNGO.
Such decisions risk undermining confidence in the committee's processes.
Decisions of this gravity must be transparent, well substantiated, and grounded in procedures that are both fair and consistently applied.
Going forward, we, those of us who are members of the committee, and those of us who are not, call on all committee members to avoid any type of politicization and to ensure that any recommendation concerning suspension or withdrawal of status is based on a rigorous and sufficiently substantiated assessment after all other steps have been considered, demonstrating that the applicable criteria for suspension or withdrawal under resolution 1996 31 are fulfilled.
Looking ahead, we see clear value in working collectively with all member states to strengthen the committees working with it, to reinforce transparency, consistency, and fairness.
I thank you, Mr.
President of Switzerland.
Does any delegation wish to make statement before action on the draft decision? I see no other request for the floor.
I now invite the council to turn to draft decision one entitled, Application for consultative status, Request for a change of name, and adrinal report received from non governmental organization.
May I take it that the council wishes to adopt draft decision one.
I hear no objection.
Decision Draft decision one is adopted.
I now invite the council to turn to draft decision two, entitled, withdrawal of the consultative status of one non governmental organization at the organization's request.
May I take it that the council wishes to adopt draft decision two? I hear no objection.
Draft Decision two is adopted.
I now invite the Council to turn to draft resolution three entitled withdrawal of the Consultative Status of one non governmental organization.
May I take it that the council wishes to adopt draft decision three? I hear no objection.
Draft Deion three is adopted.
I finally invite the council to turn to draft decision four entitled Suspension of the consultative status of One non governmental organization.
May I take it that the council wishes to adopt draft decision four I hear no objection.
Draft Dion four is adopted.
I next invite the council to turn to draft decision five entitled, Report of the Committee of non governmental Organizations on its 2026 regular session.
May I take it that the council wish to adopt draft resolution five? I hear no objection.
Draft D five is adopted.
Now, does any delegation wish to make a statement after the adoption of the proposals? I give the floor to the representative of Algeria.
You have the floor, sir.
Mr.
President, we welcome the adoption by consensus of draft Decisions three and four.
This reflects the longstanding practice of this council regarding recommendations for the suspension or withdrawal of consultative status.
It is imperative to respect the integrity of the work of our technical subsidiary bodies.
As a member of the NGO committee, our delegation takes the floor in order to set the record straight regarding the fairness, transparency, and legitimacy of the process that led to the recommendations pertaining to draft Decisions three and four.
While civil society plays a very important role in the UN system, consultative status is not a blank check.
It is a privilege that comes with explicit obligations contained in ECOSOC resolution 1996 slash 21.
The committee's recommendations were not taken lightly.
The committee acted with strict proportionality and due process.
It recommendations represent the culmination of an evidence based review where compliance failures were clearly demonstrated.
Were it not for the obvious politicization introduced by certain delegation, these two recommendations would have been adopted by consensus.
Nevertheless, an overwhelming majority of the committee was convinced by the compelling evidence resulting in a vote of 11 to four.
We firmly prefer consensus, but it absence within the committee on a specific recommendation does not diminish the validity of that recommendation.
Voting is a legally sound mechanism built into the rules applied by the committee to ensure institutional functionality and guarantee that no member holds veto power.
Of course, there is always room for improvement in any intergovernmental body.
However, the committee operates strictly within its established working methods, which provide good, well defined avenues for dialogue, notification, and response.
Regarding timelines, every organization question under agenda item seven is afforded the standard four day window.
In our statement delivered on 26 January before the committee, detailed information regarding the specific violations and concerns was shared.
At the conclusion of the statement, we emphasized that we remain at the disposal of committee members for any further details or clarification.
Remarkably, none of the few members who later voted against the recommendations, so dialogue or clarification during those four days.
A silence we reasonably interpreted as a sign that consensus was well within reach.
Furthermore, observer member states are always welcome during proceedings, yet they do not possess the comprehensive evidentiary files circulated to and between the committee members who bar the decision making mandate.
Let us be clear.
The committee's proceedings have been publicly broadcast on UN web TV.
The consideration of these two cases was transparent, accessible, and rigorously substantiated.
We cannot criticize a subsidiary body for simply applying the existing rules and established practice, while member states are entirely free to discuss the committee's working methods, and we are ready to contribute constructively to that.
We believe that such structural discussions belong properly within the committee itself.
I thank you, Mr.
President.
Thank the representative of Bulgaria.
Is there any other request for the floor? United States.
Uh huh.
We did not request the floor there.
I see request for the floor.
The council has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of item 17.
I now briefly pause the meeting for a podium change.
I now invite the council to resume its consideration of agenda Item 19 B, Social Development.
I invite the Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, Mr.
Titi Van Der Haydn.
Is it correct to introduce the report of the Secretary-General on follow up to the outcome of the special session of the General Assembly on children as contained in document E 2026 slash 57.
Misses Von der Haydn, you have the floor.
Thank you, Excellency, Distinguished delegates, good friends.
Good afternoon.
It's a pleasure for me to be here in the Ecosoro together with you and to introduce the report of the Secretary-General on the follow up to the outcome of the special session of the General Assembly on Children.
This report contains the 21st update on the progress made in the implementation of the Declaration of the plan of action adopted in the General Assembly in resolution S 27 slash two, a World Fit for Children.
The biannual report takes stock of where we stand today in delivering on our collective promise to children.
It reviews three things.
One, the steps that have been taken by the member states, by the UN and other key actors and partners in 2024 and 2025.
Two, the challenges that remain and three, the strategic shifts that are required to stay the course.
The global policy momentum convened in the past two years has demonstrated that children's rights are no longer peripheral.
They're central to the international development and peace agenda and in line with the CRC, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, children are also increasingly being recognized as rights holders, as agents of change, and the global commitments to child participation are growing.
Important achievements have been made in each of the four major goals that we have collectively embraced.
One, promoting healthy lives, two, providing good quality education for children.
Three, protecting children from abuse, from violence, from exploitation, and four, combating HIV and AIDS.
But ladies and gentlemen, these advances, important as they are, remain fragmented and uneven and the most marginalized, the most vulnerable children are not yet reached and a world fit for children, a world in which all children can enjoy their rights is still far off.
We have less than four years left to 2030 and at present, only 35% of the SDG indicators are on track or they're making moderate progress.
Unfortunately, another 35% of the indicators have completely stagnated or and please let this sink in, have fallen below the 2015 baseline.
Conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, the climate crisis, displacement, poverty, the digital divide, all of these pressures are escalating and intensifying.
Overlapping pressures that fuel intersecting violations of children's rights, that pose increasing threats to their survival and to their well being.
Basic rights are being undermined every day, and the future of millions of children is at risk.
As we face that situation, at the same time, the development financing space is contracting at a very rapid pace.
National priorities are shifting dramatically.
Geopolitical fragmentation and shrinking public investments are putting unprecedented pressure on all the actors involved, from national governments to NGOs to UN actors, all of us are impacted.
Excellencies, amidst those compounded crises for children, it is imperative that we continue to put children at the heart of every decision we make, that we match the commitments we made with the resources to realize it, that it is deliberate and coordinated efforts, sustained financing that translates that translate promises into meaningful, transformative changes for children that need us.
We have to act boldly.
We have to act together to create a world that we committed to deliver for children in 2002 and here I quote.
That is a world in which sustainable human development, taking into account the best interests of the child is founded on the principles of democracy, equality, non discrimination, peace, and social justice, and the universality, indivisibility, interdependence, and interrelatedness of all human rights, including the right to development.
Thank you.
I thank the Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF.
I now briefly pause the meeting for a podium change.
I now invite the council to consider agenda Agenda item 19 E, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Pursuant to General Assembly Resolution 58153, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees makes an annual oral report to the Council to keep it informed of the coordination aspects of the work of this office.
I now invite the Director of the New York Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr.
Savana Dapala to present this oral report.
You have the floor, sir.
I am pleased to present this oral report on behalf of the High Commissioner on the coordination aspects of the office.
Today, I have the honor to speak to you a week before World Refugee Day, where we honor the courage of over 117 million persons forcibly displaced by war, violence, or persecution.
This year, we would also mark another important milestone, 75 years since the Refugee Convention was signed, the cornerstone of refugee protection and a document that has meant safety for millions.
Conflict has become even more brutal and long lasting, leaving refugees in limbo for years on end.
This places sustained pressure on host countries, mostly low and middle income that continue to host the majority of the world's refugees.
Sadly, solutions for these displaced populations remain elusive.
2025 alone, UNHCR responded to more than 24 emergencies across 16 countries, even as severe funding shortfalls forced painful reductions in assistance and services worldwide.
Mr.
President, against this backdrop, our High Commissioner has set out an ambitious priority to have the number of refugees in protracted displacement who remain dependent on humanitarian assistance by 2035.
Central to this is the need to ensure humanitarian action goes hand in hand with development assistance and peace building efforts to support nationally led inclusive solutions, bolstering access to legal identity, national education systems, financial services, and livelihoods, which in turn enhance refugee self reliance and their ability to contribute to their host communities.
Our work with partners is crucial to achieving these objectives, and that is why in 2025, UNHCR worked with more than 1,599 partners across 52 countries through eight regional refugee response plans and by the end of 2025, 87% of UNHCR funded partners were local or national actors.
We also continue to maximize efficiencies by working closely with UN sister entities.
UNICEF and UNHCR jointly protect and assist refugee and returnee children.
We collaborate closely with WFP in the provision of food and cash assistance to food insecure refugees.
UNHCR and WHO maintain a longstanding partnership to advance refugee inclusion in national health systems, strengthening emergency preparedness and response, and promoting access to health services.
High Commissioner Saleh and UNDP administrator the crew also recently launched a new partnership focused on expanding economic opportunities for forcibly displaced persons and mobilizing development in displacement affected areas.
Through partnerships with major development and financial institutions such as the World Bank's IDA window and the Global concessional financing facility, significant financial contributions have supported national systems, services, livelihoods, and infrastructure in refugee hosting contexts.
Initiatives such as the UNHCR World Bank Joint Data Center have improved evidence for policy and investment decisions while collaboration with the International Finance Corporation has promoted private sector engagement, job creation, and economic inclusion.
To address internal displacement, UNHCR with UNDP and IOM continue to serve as solutions champions for internal displacement and advance protection leadership, national systems building, and socioeconomic inclusion to enable sustainable returns and local integration.
Mr.
President, UNHCR is actively engaged in UN reform initiatives.
On the humanitarian reset, we work to advance key institutional and interagency priorities and improved coordination in mixed refugee IDP settings with OCHA.
As global Protection cluster lead, UNHCR has supported efforts to streamline the cluster, strengthen coherence, and reduce duplication.
On the UN 80 initiative building on our own internal efficiency efforts from digital transformation to centralized support services, we are committed to ensuring that reforms translate into faster and more locally led humanitarian action.
Mr.
President, our ability to respond to the growing and complex needs of forcibly displaced and stateless persons rests on the strength of our partnerships.
This cannot be achieved by UNHCR alone, and we will work to continue to deepen our collaboration with development and peace actors, as well as civil society with international financial institutions and the private sector to ensure that refugees are not only protected but have access to opportunity.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
I thank the Director of the New York Office of Human HCR for his statement.
I now open the floor for a general discussion of agenda item 19 E.
Any delegation wish to make the floor to take the floor? I see no request for the floor.
The Council has thus concluded its consideration of agenda item 19 E.
I now invite the council Thank you.
To jointly consider agenda items.
Ten, the role of the United Nations system in the integration of the three dimension of sustainable development into the implementation and implementation and follow up to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and implementation of General Assembly resolution, 50 slash 27, 52 slash 12 B, 57 slash 270 B, 60 slash 265.
61 slash 16, 67 slash 290, 68 slash one, 72 slash 305, 75 slash 290 A and B, and finally, 78 slash 250, 285.
I hope that you all have read this resolution.
I wish to inform the council that no advance documentation was submitted and no draft proposal is expected under these items.
Nevertheless, does any delegation wish to make a statement? Fortunately, no request from the floor.
The council has thus concluded its consideration of item ten and 13.
Let's turn now to Item 18 I.
I now invite the council to begin its consideration of agenda item 18 I.
Assistance to third states affected by the application of sanctions.
I wish to inform the council that no advance documentation was submitted and that no draft proposal is expected under the item.
Does any delegation wish to make a statement? Should I consider that the council has thus concluded its consideration of agenda item 18.
Let's turn to Item 19, and now invite the council to begin consideration of agenda item 19 H, comprehensive implementation of the Durban Declaration and Program of action.
It may be recalled that the General Assembly in its resolution 62 220, decided that the Assembly, through its role in policy formulation, and the Economic and Social Council, through its role in overall guidance and coordination.
And in accordance with their respective roles under the charter and Assembly Resolution 5,227.
As well as the Human Rights Council shall constitute a three tiered intergovernmental process for the comprehensive implementation of and follow up of the Durban Declaration and program of action.
I wish to inform the council that no advanced documentation was submitted and that no draft proposal is expected under this item.
Nevertheless, does any delegation wish to make a statement in the general discussion of this agenda item 19 H? I see no request for the floor.
The council has thus concluded its consideration of agenda item 19 H.
It's 4:00.
It's 4:00 and dear colleague, we have completed our program of work for this afternoon.
The council will reconvene tomorrow morning at 10:00 A.M.
In this chamber in order to hold a round table discussion An important discussion on enhancing the effectiveness and responsiveness of EcoSok Subsidiary architect architecture for the final mile to the 2030 agenda.
Round table discussion followed by dialogue with the Secretariat of the United Nations System Chief Executive Board for coordination.
The weather is beautiful.
I hope you will take advantage for the rest of the afternoon.
The meeting is adjourned.