The Sunday Mail
A few weeks ago, Zimbabwe was elected into the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), an organisation at the heart of the United Nations (UN) system to advance sustainable development. The Sunday Mail’s Gender and Community Editor Fatima Bulla-Musakwa spoke to Ambassador Frederick Musiiwa Makamure Shava, who was president of ECOSOC in 2016. Below we publish excerpts of the interview.
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Q: Help us appreciate the role Zimbabwe ought to play in the council.
A: Zimbabwe was elected to ECOSOC together with 17 other members by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) during elections held on June 17, 2020 in New York. The country was elected together with Nigeria, Liberia, Madagascar and Libya from the African group. ECOSOC is a 54-member body established by the UN Charter in 1945 as one of the six organs of the United Nations. Its membership is based on geographic representation: 14 seats are allocated to Africa, 11 to Asia, six to Eastern Europe, 10 to Latin America and the Caribbean, and 13 to Western Europe and other areas. Members are elected for three-year terms by UNGA.
ECOSOC is the organ mandated to advance the three dimensions of sustainable development — economic, social and environmental.
It is the central platform for fostering debate and innovative thinking, with attention currently being placed on the successful achievement of the ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Zimbabwe’s role is to promote Africa’s priorities and, more importantly, our national aspirations at the UN. Through the Group of 77 and China, Zimbabwe, together with other developing countries, coordinate positions on developmental issues to advance the interests of developing countries and Government’s foreign policy objectives at the UN, through ECOSOC, the body mandated to advance sustainable development.
Q: How important is this seat for Zimbabwe?
A: It is important for Zimbabwe, as a committed partner to the sustainable development agenda, to take an active role in ECOSOC. This is the arm of the UN responsible for the direction, coordination and oversight of the economic, social, humanitarian and cultural activities carried out by the UN.
This is particularly critical at this juncture, as the global family of nations embarks on the Decade of Action and delivery on the implementation of global goals. Zimbabwe will have the responsibility, together with the other 53 members, of providing overall guidance and coordination to ECOSOC entities.
These entities include regional, economic and social commissions; functional commissions facilitating intergovernmental discussions of major global issues; and specialised agencies, programmes and funds at work around the world to translate development commitments into real changes in people’s lives, in an effort to “leave no one behind”. Zimbabwe’s election into this prestigious body is an indication of the trust and confidence that the international community has in the New Dispensation’s ability to undertake the responsibilities that come with the membership of ECOSOC.
Zimbabwe served as a member of ECOSOC from 2016 to 2017.
I had the privilege to hold the presidency of the council when I was elected 72nd president on July 28 2016.
As president, my role entailed leading a bureau composed of four vice presidents to coordinate the programmes and activities of the various entities of ECOSOC to meet the developmental aspirations of all member states and especially countries in special situations, including Africa and small island developing nations.
Q: In what ways does Zimbabwe stand to benefit?
A: Zimbabwe will be able to directly influence outcomes of discussions held by the various entities of this esteemed body, which deals mainly with developmental issues. The election into this august body of the UN is in line with the Second Republic’s engagement and re-engagement agenda, which requires that Zimbabwe adopts a more proactive approach in its relations with key partners, including the UN. Zimbabwe will benefit not only from membership, but also from the Council’s relationship with main organs of the UN, including the General Assembly and the Security Council. The country will continue to make every effort to play a constructive role in solving current global issues.
Continued on www.sundaymail.co.zw
