Following the welcoming remarks, Mr. Neil Pierre, Chief of the Office for ECOSOC Support and Coordination (OESC) form the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) has started the Session I with a comprehensive overview on ECOSOC. The overview has covered the ECOSOC’s substantive focus, its structure, functions, and expected outcomes during the year of 2018. Mr. Neil Pierre has addressed the reforms conducted by ECOSOC over the last decade and particularly emphasized the adaptation of General Assembly resolution 68/1, which is regarded by ECOSOC, as “the most far-reaching reform of the Economic and Social Council since 1991.” He also explained the indispensable role of ECOSOC in advancing inclusive and integrated policy dialogue, following-up and review, strengthening coordination and stakeholder engagement to support national efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda among member states.

Ms. Emer Herity, the Secretary of ECOSOC from the United Nations Department of General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM) focused on the ECOSOC’s internal structure and its functions. She introduced and explained the ECOSOC’s mandates and methodologies, especially in the context of the 2018 ECOSOC cycle. Aside from above, she has also mentioned the roles and functions of the President and Bureau on raising awareness and promoting engagement.

Session III featured three panelists from UN DESA: Mr. Huanyu Liu, the Economic Affairs Officer of Financing for Development Office, Mr. Neil Pierre from the Session I and Ms. Irena Zubcevic, Chief of Division for Sustainable Development Office. This session was on the roles and functions of ECOSOC and its forums, in particular the High-level Political Forum (HLPF), Financing for Development Forum (FFDF) and Development Cooperation Forum (DCF), in advancing the integrated implementation of the 2030 Agenda and related agendas, particularly in relation to effective follow-up and review. The panelists have introduced the mandates and modalities of each forum and most importantly, they explained in detail on the follow-up and review procedures of each forum. This session has shown the Council’s importance on creating an inclusive space to exchange experience, knowledge, and ideas for better results and has also provided a better understanding on how can the specific global functions of ECOSOC bring value to, and effectively support, national-level implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

In the afternoon, Ms. Zina Mounla, chief of Development Cooperation Policy Branch of OESC, UN DESA and Ms. Kanni Wignaraja, Director of UN Development Operations Coordination Office (DOCO) have introduced the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) and how did ECOSOC follow the adoption of the WCPR resolution by the General Assembly in the Session IV. The talk has demonstrated how QCPR served as a guidance for United Nations Sustainable Development System and how did it effectively help achieving joint results at the country level.

Session V was led by Mr. Paolo Fontana, Political Affairs Officer from Peacebuilding Support Office and Ms. Sibel Selcuk, Programme Officer of OESC, UN DESA. The session was focused on the three crucial aspects of ECOSOC: Peace, Security, and Development. The panelists have illustrated ECOSOC’s relations with the Security Council and Peacebuilding Commission in order to provide a clearer perspective on how ECOSOC has served as a platform for its Member States to address global emergencies, trends and challenges, humanitarian responses and the needs of conflict-affected countries, in support of tailored international engagement.