EU Presidency Statement - Closing Statement

Mr. Chairman,

We are about to close the work of the substantive session of the Economic and Social Council. On behalf of the European Union, and as an evaluation, allow me to make a few comments on the course that the work has taken.

Firstly, the European Union welcomes the fact that the Economic and Social Council has focused its main discussions on Africa, under the generic theme "The role of the United Nations in supporting the efforts of African countries to attain sustainable development". Africa in fact represents a priority continent for the Union, which is its prime source of funds and prime trading partner. At the high-level segment the Council highlighted the importance of African countries taking charge of their own development. We would urge the United Nations system to pursue its aim of strengthening African countries' sense of ownership of their programmes and projects. In this context, the Union welcomes the fact that the African Heads of State, at their recent summit in Lusaka, have adopted the New African Initiative (NAI). We consider this initiative to be an excellent foundation on which to build genuine partnerships for the future.

Mr. Chairman,

The Council has been able to adopt excellent agreed conclusions at the coordination segment on information technology problems, and on partnerships that the UN can initiate with the private sector. The Council unanimously recognizes the importance of these public-private partnerships in pursuing United Nations objectives. The Council is asking the United Nations to continue along the lines of partnerships, on a transparent, neutral and flexible basis. The EU appreciates the efforts made by the Office and the Secretariat in organizing the panel discussions during the coordination segment.

Mr. Chairman,

The European Union is pleased at the general course taken by the development operational activities segment. It has enabled us to discuss the triennial review openly with the heads of the agencies concerned. With a view to the adoption of the TPR resolution at the next General Assembly, the main objective was to take stock of the situation. For the EU it is essential that operational conclusions be reached on whether the Funds and Programmes will be able to adapt their strategies and instruments in the years to come to meet the challenges laid down by our Heads of State at the Millennium Summit.

Mr. Chairman,

The Humanitarian Affairs segment is an essential chapter of the coordination mandate conferred upon the Council. This year, which celebrates the tenth anniversary of Resolution 46/182, it is absolutely essential to reaffirm the importance of greater coordination of efforts to improve the effectiveness of humanitarian operations when natural disasters strike, but also of the responses to complex crises. At this juncture, the EU would stress the value of the Chairman's summary that was adopted as the conclusion of the humanitarian affairs debate, and it welcomes the fact that the Council has taken note of the Secretary-General's report that was presented at this humanitarian affairs segment.

The EU is satisfied with the way in which Council activities have been conducted at the General Segment in the field of Human Rights. The Council has been able to adopt, without a vote, a series of decisions taken by the Commission on Human Rights. After lengthy negotiations, it has managed to give a positive response by consensus to the ILO request to discuss Burma's observance of Convention 29 on forced labor. The credibility of both the Council and of the ILO was at stake.

With regard to the same General Segment, the EU is pleased to have been able to negotiate a consensual resolution on integrated follow-up to major United Nations Conferences and on the working methods of the Functional Commissions. The EU also highlights the importance of having been able, during this session, to decide on the high-level and coordination segment themes for the Council in 2002. Lastly, it welcomes the fact that a resolution has been adopted on a new, topical and sensitive issue, such as confidentiality and non-discrimination in the field of genetics.

Mr. Chairman,

I would reiterate our concerns about the chronic problem of the late publication of official documents. Many reports submitted to the Council have been distributed with considerable delay. The translations of these reports into the various working languages of the United Nations have frequently not been available until the last minute, which prevents many delegations from studying them properly.

Mr. Chairman,

To conclude, I would emphasize the quality of the dialogue which has started up between the delegations during the negotiations, in a spirit of partnership, respecting the differences that together also make up the wealth of the United Nations. The EU would like to take this opportunity to thank especially the Iranian team of the Presidency of the G77 for its openness and willingness to reach a consensus.

The EU remains firmly attached to the process of gradually revitalizing and bolstering the coordinating role of the Council. This principal body of the Charter must be able to fulfill its honorable task effectively. Moreover, this fundamental responsibility is also reiterated in the Millennium Declaration. With this in mind we welcome the choice of this theme for the coordination segment for next year. It will offer us the opportunity to review the working methods of the Council thoroughly.

Mr. Chairman,

Through your wisdom and authority you have been the main architect of the success crowning this Summer session of the Council. But I should also like to thank all of the members of the Office and their colleagues, the Secretariat, the interpreters and the numerous facilitators, for their patience, their competence and their dedication throughout the month of July.

Thank you for your attention.

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