Economic and Social Council: 15th plenary meeting, 2026 session

The 15th meeting of the Economic and Social Council is called to order. Item 4, election, nomination, confirmations, and appointment. I now invite the council to resume its consideration of agenda.

Item four, elections, nomination, confirmations, and appointment.

The document before the council under this item are listed in today's journal. Distinguished delegates, before proceeding, I would like to draw the council's attention to the list of candidates dated on 7 April 2026, which was circulated on e-delegates.

Member states would recall the 1st April deadline for the presentation of candidates in accordance with paragraph 26 of the annex to General Assembly resolution 72/305.

A number of candidates were presented after the deadline, and the candidatures were published in the candidatures and elections module on e-delegate and circulated to delegation in the list of candidates through ECOSOC place. May I take that the Council wishes the candidates presented after the deadline to be considered for elections? I hear no objections.

It is so decided.

Let me now give the floor to the Secretariat to announce additional requests for balloting.

You have the floor, madam.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. The list of candidates before you is dated 7th of April at 7:00 p.m. There is no change in the candidates that are before the Council. We have received this morning additional requests for secret balloting, and I will announce for which bodies. This is for the WEAG regional group, Commission on the Status of Women, Commission on Science and Technology for Development, Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Committee on NGOs and rotation on the UNICEF Executive Board. There's also a request for voting on the Committee for Program and Coordination. That's a nomination by ECOSOC to the Committee for Program and Coordination for WEAG. Due to the time constraints, those ballots will not be taken up at this morning's meeting. The Council would revert in the afternoon. Thank you.

Thank you, madam. Let me now provide an overview of how the Council is expected to proceed with the elections today. In principle, the Council will follow the order of elections to the Council's subsidiary and related bodies as reflected in the list of candidates. However, in order to make best use of the time available, the Council will begin by taking up elections to a number of bodies for which there will be balloting. During this meeting.

The Council will conduct elections.

By secret ballot for vacancies in the following bodies where the number of candidates exceeds the number of vacancies in one or more regional groups, namely: the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations; Candidates from among the Eastern and European states. And the other one also.

But not at this morning's meeting.

Okay. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Candidates from among the African states, the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Population Fund, United Nations.

Office for Project Services candidates from among the Eastern European states, the Executive Board of the World Food Programme, candidates from among the member states in the group for list E, and the International Narcotic Control Board from among candidates nominated by the World Health Organization and from among candidates nominated by governments. At the afternoon meetings at 3:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. sharp, the Council will conduct elections by secret ballot for vacancies in the following bodies where the number of candidates exceeds the number of vacancies and for which a request for secret balloting were received. The Commission on the Status of Women, candidates from among the Asia-Pacific States and the Western European and other States.

The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, candidates from.

Among the Western European and other states. The Commission on Science and Technology for Development, candidates from among the Western European and other states. The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, candidates from among the Western European and other states. the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, excuse me, candidates from among the Eastern European states.

The Intergovernmental Working Group on Expert on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting.

Candidates from among the Eastern European states. The Executive Board of the United Nations Children's Fund, rotation of candidates from among the Western European and other states. I would like to address the order of elections.

Of members of the International Narcotics Control Boards. In accordance with the relevant provision of the Single Convention.

On Narcotic Drugs of 1961, as amended by the 1972 protocol, the Council elect three members of the INCB from a list of persons nominated by the World Health Organization, and 10 members from a list of persons nominated by governments. With respect to this year's elections to the INCB, the Council is to elect two members of the board from among candidates nominated by the World Health Organization, and five members from among candidates nominated by governments.

In this regard, I would like to draw the Council's attention to ECOSOC resolution 1106 of 4 March 1966, in which the Council approved the procedure for.

Election of members of the INCB, as contained in the.

Report of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, document E/41/40, and as outlined by the Secretary-General in the note.

E/41/58/Rev.1. In the note by the Secretary-General, it is suggested that the election of members of the INCB take place in two different parts, and that the Council first proceed to the election of members from among the candidates nominated by WHO. The Council will thus first proceed to the election of INCB members from among the candidates nominated by WHO together with the other secret ballot.

Once the result of the election of INCB.

WHO nominated candidates have been announced, the Council will proceed to the election of the government nominated candidates. With regard now, with regard to any statement to be made under agenda item 4, In connection with elections, I will open the floor for statements before we proceed to the election, and again, once.

All elections by acclamation have been completed.

Delegations will also have the opportunity to make statements at the end of the morning session, after the result of secret balloting have been announced. Does any delegation wish to take the floor on the approach I have proposed, or to make a statement in connection with the election at this stage. I give the floor to the United States.

Taking the floor on a point of order to request to know which members have requested the secret ballot votes on the clean WEWOG slate.

There were two requests. One for the Eastern European states by Ukraine, and one for Western European and other group by Djibouti. Thank you.

No other request. We shall now proceed with the election.

Dear colleague, I now invite the Council to turn its attention to elections by secret ballot. The elections will be held in accordance with the relevant rules of procedure of the ECOSOC on elections and voting, in particular rules 63, 68, 69, and 70. All representatives should remain seated during the meeting. Please, no photography will be allowed during the balloting.

I wish to inform the Council.

That the representative of Antigua and Barbuda, Mauritania, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Ukraine have agreed to serve as tellers for today's election. I would like to thank them for their assistance with the Council's work today. A set of ballot papers will be distributed to the members of the Council shortly. I will briefly refer to the method for filling out the ballot papers. This applies to the secret ballots to be held at this morning's session and this afternoon meeting. For the bodies for which members are to be elected in their national capacity, the names of the states that have been communicated to the Secretariat are.

Reflected.

On the ballot papers. Additionally, the ballot papers provide the number of seats to be filled, as well as blank lines in case delegation wish to write in the names or other eligible states, which are not reflected on the ballot papers. Now, for the bodies for which members are to be elected in their personal capacity, namely the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Narcotics Control Board, there are no blank lines. on the ballot papers, since the nomination process for this body has been completed and no additional names.

Can be proposed at this stage.

It is important that tellers counting the votes are able to determine the intention, the real intention of the voter. In filling out ballot papers, representatives are requested to write an X in the boxes next to the names of candidates that are printed on the ballot papers and or write the name of another eligible state on the blank lines. If the box next to the name of the state of a state is checked, the name of the that state does not have to be repeated on the blank line. If a mistake is made in filling out a ballot paper, representatives should request a new ballot paper from the Council Secretariat. The Council number, the total number of checked boxes and handwritten names may not exceed the number of vacant seats to be filled as indicated on the ballot paper. A ballot paper will be declared invalid, I repeat, a ballot paper will be declared invalid if it contains more votes than the number of vacant seats indicated on the ballot paper. If a ballot contains a notation other than a vote in favour of an eligible candidate, the notation will be disregarded. Vote. Votes for member state. That are not from the relevant regional group. Will not be counted. I repeat. Votes from four member state. That are not from the relevant regional group. Will not become. a blank ballot paper will be considered an abstention. Now, if more than the required number of candidates obtain the required majority in the first round, those candidates who have obtained the required majority and the largest number of votes will be considered as elected, up to the number of seats to be filled. Before we begin the voting process, I would like to remind Members of the Council that, pursuant to rule 63 of the Rules of Procedure of the Council, no representative may interrupt the voting except on a point of order in connection with the actual process of voting. The conference officers will now distribute the ballot papers and the voting process has thus begun. I'll give you two more minutes. What are the candidates? What are the candidates?

This is the other IMCB that we will do after this one is finished.

Which one? This one.

Not now, because we have to do it in two stages.

Yeah. At 20. Are we going this morning or after?

Hopefully we get a result from this one this morning and then we can move to this one.

This one. Okay, good. It's done. Good.

I now invite the tellers and the conference officer to approach the podium.

With the ballot boxes so that we can verify that these boxes are empty. I now invite the tellers and conference officer to proceed to collect the ballot papers.

Please.

Let them do the full round.

May I request any representative who may not have voted to do so now by approaching the podium to cast their ballots. No one.

The voting is now closed.

No more ballot papers will be accepted. I invite the tellers and secretariat staff to leave the Chamber in order to count the ballot papers.

The result?

Of the votes will be announced once they are tallied. Dear colleagues, while we wait for the results of the secret ballots, I invite the Council to turn its attention to elections to be conducted by acclamation. First, Statistical Commission.

In accordance with Council Resolution 1147 and 2024/2, I invite the Council to elect members to the Statistical Commission for a four-year term of office beginning 1 January 2027.

Since the number of candidates from the African States, the Asia-Pacific States, the Latin America and Caribbean States, and the Western European and other state is equal to the number of vacancies. May I take it that the Council wish to elect Algeria, Belgium, Belize, Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea?

Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mongolia, and Singapore, by acclamation.

To the Statistical Commission for a four-year term of office beginning on 1 January 2027. I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

Second, Commission on Population and Development. In accordance with Council Decisions 1995 and 2005, I invite the Council to elect members to the Commission on Population and Development for a four-year term of office.

Beginning at the first meeting of the Commission's 61st session in 2027 and expiring at the.

Close of the Commission's 64th session in 2031.

Since the number of candidates from all regional groups is equal to or less than the numbers of vacancies, may I take that the Council wish to elect The Gambia, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Nigeria, Qatar, Ukraine and Uruguay by acclamation to the Commission on Population and Development for a four-year term of office.

Beginning at the first meeting of the Commission's 61st session in 2027 and expiring at the close.

Of the Commission 64th session in 2031. I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

Now, outstanding vacancies on Commission on Population and Development. In accordance with ECOSOC decisions 1995 and 2005, I now invite the Council to take action on two outstanding vacancies on the Commission on Population and Development from the Eastern European State and Latin American and Caribbean States. May I take that the Council wishes to elect Armenia and Bahamas by acclamation to the Commission on Population and Development for a full term of office, beginning at the first meeting of the Commission's 68th session in 2026 and expiring at the close of the Commission's 63rd session in 2030. I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

Now, Commission for Social Development.

In accordance with Council Decision 2002, I invite the Council to elect members to the Commission for Social Development.

For a four-year term of office.

Beginning at the first meeting of the Commission's 66th session in 2027 and expiring at the close.

Of the Commission's 69th session in 2031. Since the number of candidates from each regional group is equal to or less than the number of vacancies. May I take it that the Council wish to elect Austria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Malawi, Sri Lanka and Tunisia. by acclamation to the Commission for Social Development for a four-year term of office, beginning.

At the first meeting of the Commission's 66th session in 2027 and expiring at the close of the Commission's 69th.

Session in 2030. 31.

I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

Now, Commission again for Social Development for outstanding vacancies.

And in accordance with Council Decision 2002, I now invite the Council to take action on an outstanding vacancy on the Commission for Social Development from the Latin American and Caribbean states.

May I take it that the Council wishes to elect?

Dominican Republic by acclamation to the Commission for Social Development for a term beginning on 8 April 2026 and expiring at the close of the Commission's 67th session in 2029. I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

Commission on the Status of Women.

In accordance with Council decision 2002, I.

Invite the Council to elect members to the Commission on the Status of Women for a four-year term of office.

Beginning at the first meeting of the Commission's 72nd session.

Of the Commission's 72nd session in 2027 and expiring at the close of the Commission's 75th session on 2031. Since the number of candidates from African state, the Eastern European state, the Latin American and Caribbean state, is equal to the number of vacancies. May I take it that the Council wish to elect Benin, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Namibia, Peru, and the Republic of Moldova by acclamation. to the Commission on the Status of Women for a full year.

Term of office, beginning at the first meeting of the Commission's 72nd session in 2027 and expiring at the close of the Commission's 75th session in 2031. I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

As mentioned at the beginning of the meeting, the secret ballot for the candidates from the Asia-Pacific States and Western European and other States will be held at this afternoon meeting. Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Sorry.

In accordance with General Assembly resolution 46/152, I now invite the Council to elect members to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice for a three-year term of office beginning on 1 January 2027.

Since the number of candidates from all regional groups is equal to or less than the number of vacancies, May I take that the Council wish to elect Armenia, Plurinational State of Bolivia, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Gabon, Guatemala, Japan, Kenya, Peru, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa, and Uzbekistan, by acclamation, to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice for a three-year term of office.

Beginning on 1st January 2027. I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

Now, Commission on Science and Technology for Development. In accordance with Council Decision 2000.

And six.

I now invite the Council to elect members to the Commission on Science and Technology for Development for a four-year term of office, beginning on 1st January 2027.

Since the number of candidates from the group of African states Asia-Pacific States, Eastern European States, and Latin American and Caribbean States is equal or less than the number of vacancies. May I take it that the Council wish to elect Belarus, Chile, China, Djibouti, Ecuador, India, Kenya, Latvia, Libya, Malawi, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, and Ukraine.

By acclamation to the Commission on Science and Technology for Development for a four-year term of office, beginning on 1st January 2027. I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

Four.

Now the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations. In accordance with ECOSOC resolution 1981, I now invite the Council to elect members to the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations for a four-year terms of office, beginning on 1st January.

2027. Since the number of candidates from the African States, the Asia-Pacific States, the Latin American and Caribbean States is equal to the number of vacancies, may I take it that the Council wishes to elect Cameroon, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, India, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, and United Arab Emirates, by.

Acclamation, to the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations. for a full four-year terms of office beginning on 1st January 2027. I hear no objection.

The result of first, I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

Now, The result of the secret ballot for the candidates from the Eastern European states will be announced once available.

Now, the Intergovernmental Working Group on Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting. In accordance with ECOSOC resolution 1982 and 1985, I now invite the Council to elect members to the Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting for a three-year term of office beginning on 1st January 2027.

Since the number of candidates from the African state, Asia-Pacific states, Latin American and Caribbean states, and Western European and other states is equal or less than the number of vacancies, May I take it that the Council wish to elect Australia, Cambodia, China, Ecuador, the Gambia, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Turkey?

And the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to elect by acclamation to the Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting for a three-year term of office beginning on 1st January 2027. No objection.

It is so decided.

As mentioned earlier, the secret ballot for the candidate from the Eastern European.

State will be held at this afternoon's meeting.

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. In accordance with ECOSOC resolution 1985, I now invite the Council to elect members of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for a four-year term of office. beginning on 1st January 2027. Since the number of candidates from the Asia-Pacific States, the Latin American and Caribbean States, and the Western European and.

Other States is equal to the number of vacancies, may I take it that the Council, which to elect, and I'm sorry for the pronunciation, Jo Young Lee of the Republic of Korea, Preeti Saran of India, Santiago Manuel Fiorio Vaxen of Paraguay, Carla Vanessa Lemus de Vasquez of El Salvador, Hernan Quezada Cabrera of Chile, and Ludovic Hennebel of Belgium, elect by acclamation to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. for a four-year term of office, beginning on 1st January 2027.

I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

The results of the secret ballot for the candidates from the African state will be announced.

Once available. The secret ballot for the candidate from the Eastern European state will be held at this afternoon's meeting. Now, Executive Board of the United Nations Children's Fund.

In accordance with General Assembly resolution 48/162, I now invite the Council to elect members to the Executive Board of the United Nations Children's Fund for a three-year term of office beginning on 1st January 2027.

Since the number of candidates from all regional group is equal to the number of vacancies, may I take it that the Council wish to elect Belgium, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Nepal, Panama, Poland, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States of America, to elect by acclamation.

To the Executive Board of the United Nations Children's Fund.

For a three-year term of office beginning on 1st January 2027.

I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

Now Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Population Fund, and United Nations Office for Project Services. In accordance with General Assembly resolution 48/162, I now invite the Council to elect members to the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Population Fund, United Nations Office for.

Project Services for a three-year term of office beginning on 1st January 2027. Since the number of candidates from the African States, Asia-Pacific States, Latin American and Caribbean States, and Western European and other States is equal to the number of vacancies, may I take it that the Council wish to elect Barbados, France, Italy, Mauritania, Nigeria, Peru, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

By acclamation, to the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme. the United Nations Population Fund and United Nations.

Office for Project Services for a three-year term of office beginning on 1st January 2027.

I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

The result of The secret ballot for the candidate from the Eastern European state will be announced once available. Resignation or designation?

Now, we are going to deal with the resignation of members of the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Population Fund, and United Nations Office for.

Project Services.

In connection with the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Population Fund United Nations Office for Project Services.

For members who that were previously elected by the Council. I would like to inform that Germany, Switzerland, Finland and Japan are.

Resigning from their seats on the Executive Board effective on 31st December 2026.

And that Australia, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Iceland, and Finland, respectively, have been endorsed by their regional groups to assume the vacated seats.

May I take May I therefore take it that the Council wish to elect Australia?

The Kingdom of the Netherlands, to complete the unexpired term of office of Germany and Switzerland, respectively, beginning.

On 1st January 2027 and expiring on 31st December 2027 and Iceland and Finland to complete the unexpired terms of office of Finland and Japan beginning on 1st January 2027 and expiring and 31st December 2028.

Complicated.

I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

Now the Executive Board of the World Food Programme. In accordance with General Assembly resolution 65/2010.

66.

I now invite the Council to elect members to the Executive Board of the World Food Programme for a three-year term.

Of office, beginning on 1st January 2027. Since the number of candidates from lists A through D is equal to the number of vacancies. I take it that the Council wishes to elect China, Japan, Mexico, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Zimbabwe by acclamation.

To the Executive Board to the World Food Programme for a three-year term of office beginning on 1st January 2027. I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

The result of the secret ballot for the candidates from the Member State in List E.

Will be announced once available. There is an outstanding vacancy on the Executive Board of the World Food Programme. And in accordance with General Assembly resolution 65/2066, I invite the Council to take action on an outstanding vacancy on the Executive Board of the World Food Programme from the List B. May I take it that the Council wish to elect the United Arab Emirates?

By acclamation to the Executive Board of the World Food Programme for a term beginning on today.

8 April 2026 and expiring on 31 December 2028. I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

Now, Programme Coordinating Board of the Joint UN Programme on.

HIV slash AIDS. UN AIDS.

In accordance with council decision 1995 slash 2023. I now invite the council to elect members. To the to the program coordinating board. Of the joint UN program.

On. HIV/AIDS for a three-year term of office, beginning on 1st January 2017. Since the number of candidates from the African states, Latin American and Caribbean states, and European and other states is equal to the number of vacancies. May I take that the Council wish to elect Burundi, Canada, Denmark, and Mexico by acclamation to the Programme Coordinating Board of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS for a three-year term of office, beginning on 1st January 2027.

No objection.

It is so decided.

Now.

Election of members of the Council.

To the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission in accordance with General Assembly resolution 60/180 and ECOSOC resolution 2015/1. I now invite the Council to elect members of the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission in the regional category.

The term of office is for two years, beginning on 1 January 2018. 27 or until a state ceases to be a member of ECOSOC. May I take it that the Council wishes to elect Algeria and Finland by acclamation to the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission for a two-year term of office beginning on 1 January 2027 or until Algeria or Finland cease to be a member of the Economic and Social Council.

No objection.

It is so decided.

Elections. Elections to the remaining vacancies on the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commissions will be held later in 2026.

Just...

I really need this pose.

Now, with regard to nominations, I invite the Council to take up nomination to the Committee for Programme and Coordination. In accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 2008/10, and General Assembly decision 42/450.

I now invite the Council to nominate members for.

Election by the General Assembly to the Committee for Programme and Coordination for a three-year term of office.

Beginning on 1st January 2027. May I take it that the Council wishes to nominate Albania, Argentina, Cameroon, Djibouti, Guinea, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, South Africa, and Uruguay for election. by the General Assembly to the Committee for Program and Coordination for a three-year term beginning on 1st January 2027.

It is so decided.

Again, nomination on the Committee for Programme and Coordination.

In light of the request for a vote on Western European and other state nominations, The Council will revert to this matter at this afternoon's meeting.

There is a point of order from the Russian Federation. You have the floor, sir.

Thank you very much, President. We would like to remind everyone that in accordance with established practice elections to the committee for program and coordination are held at the general assembly when it comes to the elections to an election not an election by acclamation there were presidents uh set in the 1990s and similarly elections were held in that way in 2024 therefore the Office of Legal Affairs actually issued an opinion on that specific issue. Therefore, we believe that elections to this body should be held at the General Assembly.

May I give the floor to the Secretariat?

It's a complicated procedure matter.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. As I mentioned at the beginning of the meeting, the secretariat received a late request for voting on several bodies for the WEAG group, including on the CPC. There has not been time to clarify the nature of the request on the CPC. It is correct that the council is asked to nominate and not to elect to the CPC, and in the light of that need for clarification, I think we would like to take the time to clarify the nature of the request and to revert to that matter on the WIIOG nominations at the afternoon meeting.

Is it clear? Let's finish.

With the outstanding vacancies.

The council will now take up elections, elections for outstanding vacancies to body for which there are no regular elections in 2026.

First executive board of the United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women. In accordance with paragraph 60 of General Assembly resolution 64/2089 and Council resolution 2010/35. I now invite the Council to consider an outstanding vacancy on the Executive Board of the United Nations Entity.

For Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, UN Women, for the regional category.

May I take it that the Council wish to elect Luxembourg by acclamation to the Executive Board of UN Women for a term of office beginning on 8 April 2026 and expiring on 31 December 2027. No objection.

It is so decided.

In accordance with paragraph 61 of General Assembly resolution 64/2009 and Council resolution 2010/35, I now invite the Council to proceed to.

The election of a member of the Executive Board of UN Women for the top 10 voluntary.

Core contributing countries, not members of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

May I take it?

That the Council wish to elect United Arab Emirates by acclamation to the Executive Board of UN Women for a term of office beginning today, 8 April 2026, and expiring on 31 December 2028. No objection.

It is so decided.

Also, in connection with the Executive Board of UN Women, four members that were previously elected by the Council, I would like to inform the Council that.

Canada.

Belgium and Spain are resigning from their seats on the Executive Board effective 31st December 2026.

And that Denmark, Malta and Sweden, respectively, have been endorsed by their.

Regional group to assume the vacated seats.

May I therefore take it that the Council wishes to elect by acclamation Denmark, Malta and Sweden to complete the.

Unexpired term of office of Canada, Belgium and Spain. respectively, beginning on 1st January 2027 and expiring on 31st December 2028. I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

I now invite any delegation wishing to make statement in relation with the.

Elections conducted by acclamation, as well as nomination. Does any delegation wish to take the floor at this stage?

I give the floor to the representative of the United States.

You have the floor, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President. The United States disassociates from consensus on the election of Cuba and Nicaragua to the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations. These governments continue to repress their citizens and suppress civil society. We believe Cuba and Nicaragua are therefore unfit to serve on a body advising member states on non-governmental organizations. Also, the United States disassociates from consensus on the nomination of Iran to the Committee on Program and Coordination. The regime threatens its neighbors and has for decades infringed on the Iranian people's ability to exercise their basic human rights. Due to these and other concerns, We believe Iran is unfit to serve on a body advising Member States on programme and budgetary matters. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the United States. Is there any request for the floor?

I see none. Dear colleagues, it was a long, long morning, especially for me. I am happy that the Council has concluded the first segment of the election to be conducted by acclamation. I will therefore briefly suspend the meeting for five minutes, pending the result of the ballot you cast. The meeting is suspended.

Yes. and then really you just read.

Now I will read the result The meeting is resumed. I will now read the result of the secret ballot for the Committee on.

Non-governmental organization. The results are as follows.

I will read slowly. Number of ballot papers, 54. Numbers of invalid ballots, zero. Numbers of valid ballots, 54. Abstention, zero. Member present and voting, 54. Majority required, 28.

Number of individual votes obtained.

Estonia. 44. Ukraine. 38. Belarus. 23. Having obtained the necessary majority, I declare elected Estonia and Ukraine to the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations for a four.

Year term beginning on 1st January 2027. Now on the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The results of the secret ballot are as follows. Number of ballot papers, 54. Number of invalid ballots, 0.

Number of valid ballots, 54. Abstention, 0. Member present and voting, 54.

Majority required.

28. Number of individual votes obtained. Abdi Jibril Ali, Ethiopia, 49. Fatimata Diallo, Senegal, 46. Tapiwa Fresh Godzi, Zimbabwe. 10. Having obtained the necessary majority, I declare elected Abdi Jibril Ali from Ethiopia and Fatimata Diallo from Senegal.

To the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for a four-year term, beginning on January 2027. Now for the Executive Board. of the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Population Fund, and United Nations Office for Project Services. The result of the secret ballot are as follows. Number of ballot papers, 54. Invalid ballot, zero. Valid ballot, 54.

Abstention, two. Members present and voting, 52.

Majority required, 27. Numbers of individual vote obtained.

Poland, 37.

Belarus, Belarus 15. Having obtained the necessary majority, I declare elected Poland to the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme, United.

Nation Population Fund, United Nations Office for Project Services for the three-year term beginning on January 2027.

Now, The Executive Board of the World Food Programme. One member to be elected. From list E. Number of ballot papers, 54.

Number of invalid ballot, zero.

Excuse me. Number of invalid ballot, zero. Number of valid ballots, 54. Abstention, zero.

Members present and voting, 54. Majority required, 28.

Number of individual votes obtained.

Russian Federation.

31. Poland, 23. Having obtained the necessary majority and the highest number.

Of votes, I declare elected the Russian Federation to the Executive Board of the World Food Programme for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 2027.

And last, the International Narcotic Control Board. I remind you that there are two members to be elected from among candidates.

Nominated by the World Health Organization. And the result of the secret ballot are as follows.

Number of ballot papers, 54. Number of invalid ballots, zero. Number of valid ballots, 54. Abstention, 1. Members present and voting: 53. 27. These are number and individual vote obtained. Cornelis de Jonckere, Netherlands.

35.

Emmanuel Lurika, Uganda, 21. Owen Bowden Jones, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 19.

Rafaela Ravinetto.

Belgium, 15. Irma Kirtadze, Georgia, 8. Vladimir Posniak, Belarus, 8. Having obtained the necessary majority, I declare elected. Cornelis de Jongker from the Netherlands to the International Narcotics Control.

Board for a five-year term beginning on March 2, 2027.

Now.

I am sorry, but I have to invite you to proceed to a second round of balloting for the purpose.

Of filling the one remaining seat on the International Narcotic Control Board from among candidates nominated by the World Health.

Organization. In accordance with Rule 69 of the Rules of Procedure of the Council, the restricted ballot is limited to.

Two candidates for one remaining seat, who obtained the largest number of votes in the previous ballot. These two candidates are Owen Bowden Jones from United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Emmanuel Luweirika from Uganda. May I take it? May I take it? May I ask the teller of South Africa and Ukraine to also act as tellers for this election.

Would they kindly approach the front of the podium?

Why not to Uganda first? I will defer to.

Before we begin the voting process, I would like to remind members that pursuant to Rule 63 of the Rules of Procedure of this Council, no representative may interrupt the voting except on a point of order in connection with the actual process of voting. The conference officers will now distribute the ballot papers, and the voting process has thus begun.

Delegations are requested to check the boxes against the name of one of the candidates nominated by the World Health Organization from among the two names which have been read out. I would like to caution members that any ballot, any ballot having more than one name will be considered invalid.

Delegation are invited to complete the ballot paper. I now invite the tellers and the conference officer to approach the podium with the ballot box so that we can verify that the box are really empty.

Thank you.

I now invite the tellers and conference officer to proceed to collect.

The ballot papers. You should make it easier.

I wish there was time to be more very well prepared.

May I request the representative?

Who may not have voted to do so now by approaching the podium and cast their ballot. In case of The voting is now closed.

No more ballot papers will be accepted. I invite the tellers and the secretariat staff to leave the Chamber in order to count the ballot papers.

The result of the vote will be announced shortly, yes, once they are tallied. While we wait for the result of the secret ballot, I will suspend the meeting for five minutes. Five minutes, no more.

I now invite any delegation wishing to make statements in relation to the elections conducted by secret ballot.

I give the floor to the representative of Cuba.

Thank you very much, President. At the outset, we wish to thank ECOSOC for having chosen Cuba as a member of the Committee on NGOs for 2027-2030. Regrettably, it's come to pass that the United States has disassociated from consensus regarding Cuba's election, and that disassociation was rooted in false accusations that we reject in the strongest terms. It is a sovereign right enjoyed by each country to present their candidacy to the organs of the United Nations. Cuba meets each and every one of the requirements to stand and be elected as a candidate to the NGO Committee. And we are globally recognized for our achievements and our professionalism. Cuba enjoys proven prestige within the NGO Committee. This has been demonstrated by years of responsible membership. We have always heeded the provisions contained in resolution 1996/31 of ECOSOC. For these reasons, we cannot stand the mendacious and hypocritical accusations levelled against us by the representative of that country. The United States lacks any trace of legitimacy to talk about Cuba or any other country within this organization. Please solve the countless challenges that you have facing you and please heed the many appeals of your own civil society and citizens before you point the finger at anyone else. Get your own house in order. We are delighted to have been elected today to the Committee on NGOs by acclamation and we commit to continuing to participate in a responsible and constructive fashion in this body, strictly adhering to its mandate and in accordance with our unimpeachable trajectory within multilateral fora. We have won broad respect from the international community as a result of our conduct, and no one will besmirch that reputation. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Cuba. Any other requests for the floor?

The Secretariat is requesting suspension for 10 minutes, not more.

It is so decided.

Yeah.

Thanks. Thanks.

Almost Dear colleague, I have before me the result of the secret ballot on International Narcotics Control Board. And the result are as follows. Number.

Of ballot papers, 54. Number of invalid ballots, zero. Number of valid ballots, 54. Abstention, one. Member present and voting, 53. Majority required 27. Number of individual votes obtained Emmanuel Lureika, Uganda 30.

Owen Bowden Jones, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 23.

Having obtained the necessary majority, I declare elected Emmanuel Lureka, Uganda, to the International Narcotics Control Board.

For a five-year term beginning on the 2nd of March 2027.

Now, It's a panic in the secretariat. Finally, with regard to the nominations to the Committee for Programme and Coordination, I have been informed that the request for a vote on the nomination of countries from.

The Western and European State Group has been withdrawn.

May I therefore take that the Council wishes to nominate Germany, Israel?

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and United States of America, for election by the General Assembly to the Committee for Programme and Coordination for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 2027. I hear no objection.

It is so decided.

This conclude this morning meeting of the ECOSOC.

The result of the secret ballots will be posted on ECOSOC place shortly after the adjournment of this meeting.

May I thank the tellers for their support, and also the secretariat for the preparation of the meeting. May I thank the presidency.

For having conducted this meeting.

We will meet again at 3 p.m. to conduct the remaining secret ballot.

Thank you for your patience and bon appetit.

The meeting is adjourned.