The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, June 17, in New York elected Nigeria along with 17 other countries into the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the UN.
Nigeria was elected among Madagascar, Liberia, Libya and Zimbabwe following their endorsement and presentation by their respective sub-regional organisations earlier. While 14 seats are reserved for African countries in the council, only five were vacant for Wednesday’s election.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this will be Nigeria’s third time of serving in the important council since 2012.
Also elected are Indonesia, Japan and Solomon Islands to represent Asia-and Pacific states, and Bulgaria for the Eastern European Group.
Others include Argentina, Bolivia, Guatemala and Mexico 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.
Nigeria’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Mr Samson Itegboje, told NAN that the country’s election within two years after its last term in the council underscored its diplomatic clout at the UN.
Itegboje described the council as a very strategic organ of the UN.
Under the UN Charter, it is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, employment and economic and social progress.
On why membership of ECOSOC is important to Nigeria, Itegboje 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.
The new ECOSOC members will serve for three years with effect from Jan.1, 2021.
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