July 25, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

Bob Rae, Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, has been elected president of the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a 1-year term.

As 1 of the UN’s 6 main bodies, ECOSOC is responsible for coordinating the work of the UN international development system. It serves as the central forum for engaging with civil society, advancing work on international economic and social issues and formulating policy recommendations.

Ambassador Rae’s new role significantly enhances Canada’s capacity for bilateral engagements with UN leadership, member states and other stakeholders and will enable Canada to champion the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Under Ambassador Rae’s leadership, Canada’s presidency of ECOSOC will focus on ethically harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to drive progress on sustainable development, addressing the challenges and opportunities of global migration and promoting innovative and sustainable financing solutions for international development. These priorities will also integrate issues of gender equality, diversity and inclusion.

During its presidency, Canada will also work to foster more exchanges between international financial institutions and UN member states, enhancing understanding and coherence in development financing.

Canada’s presidency of ECOSOC coincides with its presidency of the G7 next year, providing a unique opportunity for Canada to amplify its global leadership.