Pakistan relected to ECOSOC; Haroon calls it ‘fabulous victory’

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan was re-elected Monday to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the economic arm of the UN, for the third consecutive year, with Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon calling it a “fabulous victory”.  “It’s a fabulous victory for Pakistan. It reflects the prestige Pakistan enjoys in the international community,” the top Pakistani diplomat told APP after Pakistan polled 149 votes in balloting at the 192-member General Assembly.Pakistan was contesting one of the four Asian seats, for which there were five candidates. Apart from Pakistan, China (150 votes), Qatar (145 votes) and South Korea (150 votes) were also elected. But Bahrain, with 137 votes, lost.“The fact that Pakistan was cleared in the very first round while pitted against some leading Asian countries speaks volumes  of the hardwork done by the Pakistan Mission here,” Ambassador Haroon said.Pakistan will begin its three-year term on the 54-member Council on 1 January 2011.First elected in 1954, Pakistan served the ECOSOC in 1965-1967, 1969-1971, 1974-1977, 1979-1984, 1986-1988, 1990-1992, 1994-1995, 1998-2003, 2005-2007 and 2008-10.In 2005, Pakistan was elected president of the council.  During its presidency, Pakistan initiated the process for ECOSOC reform and revitalization, which culminated in the 2005 World Summit decisions on ECOSOC, including the establishment of the Development Cooperation Forum and the Annual Ministerial Review.
Of the ECOSCO’s 54 members,  18 retire  each year. Seats have been distributed on geographical basis with 14 allocated to Africa, 11 to Asia, six to East Europe, 10 Latin America and 13 to Western Europe and other states.The ECOSOC, a principal UN organ, coordinates economic, social, and related work of the 14 UN specialized agencies, functional commissions and five regional commissions. it serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to Member States and the United Nations system.ECOSOC is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress; identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems; facilitating international cultural and educational cooperation; and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.As a member of ECOSOC, a Pakistan Mission spokesman said it would continue to make constructive contribution to the work of the Council – App