TheCable

The United Nations General Assembly, on Wednesday, elected Nigeria along with 17 other countries into the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the UN.

The new ECOSOC members will serve for three years with effect from January 1, 2021.

The council drives the economic, social and environmental agenda of the UN.

Under the UN charter, it is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, employment and economic and social progress.

The council also identifies solutions to international economic, social and health problems, and facilitates cultural and educational cooperation among countries.

NAN reports that Samson Itegboje, Nigeria’s deputy ambassador to the UN, said the country’s election within two years after its last term in the council “underscored its diplomatic clout at the UN”.

On why membership of ECOSOC is important to Nigeria, Itegboje described the council as a very strategic organ of the UN.

He said as a member of the council, Nigeria would be better placed to advance not only its interests but those of Africa as a whole.

While 14 seats are reserved for African countries in the council, only five were vacant for Wednesday’s election.

Madagascar, Liberia, Libya and Zimbabwe were elected along with Nigeria following their endorsement and presentation by their respective sub-regional organisations.

Indonesia, Japan and Solomon Islands were also elected to represent Asia and Pacific states, while Bulgaria was elected for the Eastern European Group.

Others include Argentina, Bolivia, Guatemala and Mexico which are to represent the Latin American and Caribbean Group.

Austria, France, Germany, Portugal, the United Kingdom were elected to fill five vacant seats reserved for “Western European and other” states.