Cambodia has renewed its pledge to uphold multilateralism and international law as the bedrock of national growth, on the 80th anniversary of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), at UN headquarters in New York on Friday.
Cambodia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Keo Chhea said this at the summit entitled “ECOSOC80: A Turning Point for Multilateralism”, where he addressed more than 150 member states, highlighting the necessity of a rules-based global order.
Chhea said that a strong multilateral system is essential for long-term sustainable development. He agreed with the views of ASEAN, China, and the Group of 77 on the need for a common approach to global governance.
He also outlined two core priorities for Cambodia’s engagement within the council.
“Energy between the UN systems and national ownership should be strengthened and strategically aligned to advance the economic and social development of each country,” Chhea said.
He said that this requires the full implementation of the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review and a more efficient Resident Coordinator system.
Second, the Ambassador pointed to the urgent need for inclusive digital transformation. He urged ECOSOC to bridge the widening technological gap, particularly for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).
“Elevating ECOSOC’s role in bridging the digital divide and harnessing emerging technologies for graduating countries is essential to ensure inclusive development,” Chhea said. He warned that structural vulnerabilities could otherwise prevent a smooth transition for nations moving away from LDC status.
The anniversary comes at a crucial time for the United Nations, which is facing growing problems with global trust.
ECOSOC President Lok Bahadur Thapa said the world is “counting” on the council to deliver tangible results, particularly for Small Island Developing States and vulnerable economies.
“As President of the ECOSOC, I am committed to making the Council more responsive, inclusive and forward-looking. I deeply rely on each of you to make a stronger and more effective ECOSOC so that we can deliver better,” Ambassador Thapa said while delivering his opening statement at the New York meeting.
Ambassador Thapa, who is Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said that a “stronger” and more “effective” Economic and Social Council is especially critical at what he described as an extremely perilous moment for multilateralism. He said this would require “leadership, vision, and commitment” from Member States to enhance the Council’s relevance and impact.
He said that the UN80 Initiatives and the General Assembly’s review of ECOSOC and the High-level Political Forum provide a timely opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen the Council’s role as the UN’s central development pillar, including its convening and coordinating functions.
He added that the UN Charter entrusted ECOSOC with advancing “higher standards of living, full employment, social progress, universal respect for human rights” and with promoting international cooperation across “economic, social, cultural, health” and related fields.
Ambassador Thapa said the role of ECOSOC is a vital UN platform for addressing urgent economic, social, and environmental challenges. He said issues such as poverty, inequality, and hunger impede global sustainable development.
Key concerns include increasing food insecurity caused by conflict and climate shocks, a global debt crisis, climate impacts on vulnerable populations, widening digital divides, and insufficient social protection.
He urged the creation of a stronger Economic and Social Council to more effectively tackle these sustainable development issues.
“These intersecting and complex challenges we have been facing and the eroding trust in multilateralism,” he added.KhmerTime