http://www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov/05_269.htm http://www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov/05_269.htm
December 20, 2005
Statement by Alec Mally, Counselor, in an Informal Plenary Session of the General Assembly, on Follow-up to the World Summit Outcome on Development and Economic and Social Council Reform, December 20, 2005 
Thank you Co-Chairs,  
Thank you for scheduling this meeting after the Second Committee has finished its deliberations. I would like to key our observations to the format used in your excellent December 16 issues paper. If delegations would find it useful, we will post these observations on the US Mission web page: 
A.  Global Policy Dialogue
Let me begin with the topic of “global policy dialogue.” The issue paper’s quotation from paragraph 155 of the WSOD is correct.   “ECOSOC should promote global dialogue and partnership on global policies and trends in the economic, social, environmental and humanitarian fields.”  We note that there is no article, indefinite or definite, and the term “global policy dialogue and partnership” is in small letters, not capital letters.  This is a longstanding dialogue with multiple participants.  It is not a dialogue peculiar to the UN or to ECOSOC.  It is not an annual or biennial event and it is a dialogue with multiple outcomes and multiple implementers of those outcomes.  ECOSOC is only one participant in that ongoing dialogue.  
ECOSOC can promote global policy dialogue by making more effective use of existing meetings and mechanisms.  We agree that the current policy dialogue held at the opening of the High Level Segment of ECOSOC's substantive session is one such mechanism.  The Development Cooperation Forum and the annual ministerial reviews called for in the WSOD provide other vehicles/mechanisms for promoting dialogue.
We continue to believe, like some other colleagues here, that the focus should be on dialogue, not negotiated outcomes.  We would remind others who may not have participated in this year's high level segment of ECOSOC that delegations were unable to reach agreement on a Ministerial Declaration.  We believe that we should give serious consideration to shifting from a Ministerial Declaration to a President's summary as the outcome of the High Level Ministerial.
We continue to believe that the annual high level meeting with the BWIs should take place after, not before the spring meeting of the Bank and Fund.  Among other things, moving the meeting could jeopardize attendance by finance and development ministers.
B.  Development Cooperation Forum (DCF)
Co-Chairs, We agree that member states can and should use the DCF as a forum to exchange lessons learned and share experiences, thereby identifying gaps and obstacles to the overall coherence of development activities.  
We agree that the DCF should be open to all stakeholders but their participation should be subject to the guidelines set out in the ECOSOC rules of procedure.
It is not clear what is meant by the Secretary General, in full collaboration with all relevant institutions and actors, should prepare an analytical policy note with specific proposals for action.  Action by whom?  By the UN system?  By member states?  Proposals for action during the meeting?  
We agree with the utility of a focused President's summary identifying areas for follow up.  That summary and the President's summary of the annual ministerial level review could provide the foundation for the negotiation in the UNGA of a single annual resolution on development that would replace the 40-odd resolutions on development that we now deal with in Second Committee.
C.  Annual Ministerial Level Reviews (AMR)
Co-Chairs, Let us turn next to the subject of annual ministerial level reviews. We continue to question the usefulness of attempting to assess on an annual basis progress in implementation of all of the major UN conferences and summits.
We continue to believe that focusing on one conference or summit or on a particular theme would allow a more thorough review/assessment.
We agree that preparation could be done in the regional commissions or relevant functional 
commission(s).  We do not believe that the UN can enjoin preparation or follow up, however, in regional and other international institutions that are not part of the UN system.
Co-Chairs, It is not clear to us what is meant in the issues paper by the Secretary General could prepare, in full collaboration with all relevant institutions and actors, a concise and analytical policy note providing an assessment of progress with regard to the agreed focus, identifying gaps and obstacles in implementation and making recommendations for specific actions. Action by whom?  By the UN system?  By member states?  Proposals for action during the meeting?  It seems to my delegation that those recommendations would emerge in the course of and as a result of dialogue between member states and would be best captured in a President's summary of the discussion.
We believe that dialogue is best encouraged when the outcome is a President's summary that captures the views of all participants.  Negotiated outcomes such as a political declaration inhibit dialogue and sharing of experiences.
D.  Humanitarian Emergencies
Co-Chairs, We agree that ECOSOC can do more to raise awareness and encourage engagement of all stakeholders in responding to humanitarian emergencies.  ECOSOC can best do this by addressing coordination, broad policy implications and capacities to respond to these emergencies.  
We agree that the humanitarian/operational segments of the annual substantive session of ECOSOC provide the best vehicle for doing so.
We need to be careful not to stray beyond the mandate provided in paragraph 155 (d) of the WSOD.  
We would also note that there is no provision in the ECOSOC Rules of Procedure for convening meetings/briefings upon recommendation of the Bureau.  Per Rule 4, special sessions of the Council shall be held a) by decision of the Council, b) upon the request or with the concurrence of a majority of the members of the Council; c) upon the request of the General Assembly or the Security Council.
E.  Overall Coherence and Coordination
Co-Chairs, We agree with the points on this topic in the issues paper.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.