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The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday in New York, elected Nigeria along with 17 other countries into the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the Organisation.
The new ECOSOC members will serve for three years with effect from January 1, 2021.
This is the third time Nigeria will be serving in the council since 2012.
Considered the heart of the United Nations, the council drives the economic, social, and environmental agenda of the organisation.
While 14 seats are reserved for African countries in the council, only five were vacant at Wednesday’s election.
Madagascar, Liberia, Libya and Zimbabwe were elected alongside Nigeria, following their endorsement and presentation by their respective sub-regional organisations earlier.
Also elected are Indonesia, Japan and Solomon Islands to represent Asia and Pacific states, while Bulgaria was elected for the Eastern European bloc.
Others include Argentina, Bolivia, Guatemala and Mexico to represent the Latin America and Caribbean bloc.
Austria, France, Germany, Portugal, the United Kingdom were elected to fill the five vacant seats reserved for Western European and other states.
Nigeria’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Mr Samson Itegboje, told journalists that the country’s election within two years after its last term in the council ended underscored its diplomatic clout at the organisation.
On why membership of ECOSOC is important to Nigeria, Itegboje described the council as a very strategic organ of the UN.
“Under the UN Charter, it is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, employment and economic and social progress.
“The council also identifies solutions to international economic, social and health problems, and facilitates international cultural and educational cooperation, among others,” Itegboje said.
He said as a member of the council, Nigeria would be better placed to advance not only its interests but that of Africa as a whole.
(NAN)