UNITAR
2 June 2026, New York, USA - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Portugal to the United Nations, delivered the Election Officers Workshop on the UN Organs on 6 May 2026. The workshop brought together more than 60 diplomats, election officers and representatives of Permanent Missions to the United Nations to strengthen capacity and knowledge on the structures and procedures governing elections within the United Nations system and support effective participation in multilateral electoral processes.
Strengthening Knowledge of UN Electoral Processes
UNITAR
Opening remarks were delivered by H.E. Mr. Rui Vinhas, Permanent Representative of Portugal to the United Nations, and Mr. Rabih El-Haddad, Director of the Division for Multilateral Diplomacy and Head of the Representation Office in New York at UNITAR. The speakers underscored the importance of strengthening delegates’ knowledge of UN processes and promoting informed and effective participation in multilateral diplomacy.
The workshop provided participants with an overview of the roles and functions of the principal organs of the United Nations, as well as the procedures governing elections conducted by the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Through expert-led sessions and practical insights from experienced election officers, participants gained valuable knowledge of the institutional and procedural frameworks that underpin elections across the United Nations system.
Understanding General Assembly and ECOSOC Elections
The first session, led by Ms. Gal Buyanover, Intergovernmental Affairs Officer, and Mr. Rommel Maranan, Associate Intergovernmental Affairs Officer, provided an overview of the principal UN organs and examined elections conducted by the General Assembly for members of other principal organs, subsidiary bodies, and related entities. Participants explored key procedures, institutional mandates, and practical considerations relevant to election processes within the General Assembly framework.
The second session focused on the rules and procedures governing elections conducted by ECOSOC to its subsidiary and related bodies. Led by Ms. Vita Onwuasoanya, Senior Legal Officer, and Ms. Dziana Pranichnikava, Legal Officer, from the Office of Legal Affairs, alongside Mr. Rommel Maranan, the discussion highlighted the legal and procedural dimensions of ECOSOC elections and provided participants with greater clarity on the mechanisms guiding these processes.
Practical Insights from Election Officers
UNITAR
The final session featured Ms. Rawa Zoghbi, Election Officer and Deputy Permanent Representative at the Permanent Mission of Lebanon to the United Nations, and Mr. Matic Burkeljc, Election Officer at the Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the United Nations, who shared practical perspectives and experiences from serving as election officers within their respective Permanent Missions. Discussions focused on strategies for conducting successful election campaigns in an increasingly digital environment, including approaches to outreach, communication, and coalition-building within the multilateral context.
The workshop concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, providing participants with an opportunity to engage directly with speakers and further explore key aspects of United Nations electoral processes.
By combining institutional expertise with practical diplomatic experience, the workshop strengthened participants’ capacities to engage effectively in United Nations electoral processes and reinforced UNITAR’s commitment to supporting Member States through practical learning and capacity-development initiatives that advance effective multilateral cooperation.