ECOSOC after 80: Strategic imperatives for the future UN80 could be an opportunity to revitalize ECOSOC and enhance the understanding of the important role of ECOSOC in the coordination of the UN system and the overall pursuit of sustainable development. This discussion could take a forward-looking approach to identify ways to heighten the impact of ECOSOC and do some early thinking on the upcoming reviews of the ECOSOC-HLPF and of ECOSOC subsidiary bodies. Closing
- The Coordination Segment, chaired by H.E. Mr. Paruyr Hovhannisyan (Armenia), Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council, will take place on 28 - 29 January 2026 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The Coordination Segment will address the main annual theme of the 2026 session of ECOSOC and the HLPF: "Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for a sustainable future for all" while also contributing to the in-depth reviews of the High-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF) of Sustainable Development Goals 6 (clean water and sanitation), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and 17 (partnerships for the Goals). In 2026, ECOSOC will commemorate its 80th anniversary as a Charter body and a pillar of multilateralism and global cooperation and solidarity, even in the most challenging times. The Segment will provide the opportunity to reflect, examine and hear from Member States and stakeholders on how the Council can better coordinate and deliver transformative policy guidance - drawing on the expertise of UN system entities and ECOSOC subsidiary bodies - to enhance its work and remain agile and responsive to dynamic global challenges. The objectives of the 2026 Coordination Segment will be to: Reflect on ECOSOC at 80, and the progress the ECOSOC system has made to deliver on sustainable development, while also looking ahead to ensure the Council is fit to tackle present and future challenges. Examine key policy issues, lessons learned, best practices and recommendations from ECOSOC subsidiary bodies and UN system entities, including the regional commissions, on the SDGs under in-depth review at the 2026 HLPF. Explore key innovations that have proven effective in promoting coordination and collaboration within a complex ecosystem to strengthen impact, enhance agility and build resilience, with a focus on the SDGs under review at the 2026 HLPF. Review the implementation of the 2025 Ministerial Declaration by ECOSOC subsidiary bodies, bearing in mind their respective mandates and functions, and UN system entities, and discuss follow-up to major conferences and summits such as Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) and the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2). Identify opportunities to deepen coherence, foresight, innovation and data-driven coordination across the ECOSOC system, grounded in its existing strengths and mandates, in order to reinforce integrated and impactful delivery for sustainable development. Formulate common action-oriented policy guidance requiring implementation or coordination efforts by its subsidiary bodies as well as UN system entities, to promote the balanced integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development. Receive guidance from Member States on how to improve ECOSOC's coordination role to advance sustainable development at all levels. It is envisaged that high-level participation by Member States, Chairs of ECOSOC functional commissions and expert bodies, Executive Secretaries of the regional commissions, Heads of UN system entities, including specialized agencies, and other stakeholders will foster a substantive and dynamic policy dialogue, leading to concrete, actionable recommendations. In accordance with General Assembly resolution 75/290 A, an informal note will be prepared by the Secretariat to inform the discussions during the Coordination Segment. Infographics on the latest work of the Council's subsidiary bodies will also inform the discussions. The outcome of the Coordination Segment is a non-negotiated factual summary by the President of the Economic and Social Council, in consultation with the Bureau, to reflect discussions during the Partnership Forum and the Coordination Segment as well as strategic proposals made during the Coordination Segment.
