No : 02/PR/I/00

Indonesia Assumes Presidency of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

Indonesia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Makarim Wibisono assumed the Presidency of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) from the out-going President, Ambassador Francesco Paolo Fulci (Italy), on 27 January 2000. The term of office for the Chairman is for one year, commencing from 27 January 2000 until January 2001.

ECOSOC has 54 member countries elected to represent their respective regions. Among them are developed as well as developing countries, such as USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, PRC, Russia, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Mexico and Brazil.

Before taking up the Presidency, Ambassador Makarim Wibisono was the Senior Deputy President of ECOSOC for the year 1999. In the same year he was also appointed as the Chairman for "Ad hoc Advisory Committee on Haiti". During his Chairmanship of the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee, he visited Haiti and met with prominent peoples of Haiti, including President Rene Preval. The visit was undertaken to improve the role of the ECOSOC in coordinating the supply of UN development funds for Haiti and hence, enhance the effectiveness of the latter programme. Apart for being actively engaged in ECOSOC, Ambassador Wibisono has been the Chairman for G-77, and also, acted in the capacity of the Chair for Disarmament in the Non-Aligned Movement.

The high level segment theme for ECOSOC during Indonesia's Chairmanship is focussed on the role of information technology for economic development based on science and technology, which is expected to effectively contribute towards uplifting social and well being of all nations in the era of globalization, economic liberalization and information technology.

Ambassador Wibisono in his speech underlined the importance of collective efforts in the economic and social development and to the eradication of poverty. To attain these objectives, Indonesia will endeavor to carry out the mandate, especially to the priorities of economic and social development including the use of information technology, which has been developing at a rapid pace. He further outlined a plan of action, which would accord paramount importance and focus during Indonesia's Chairmanship in ECOSOC. The plan of action is as follows:

1. To improve the effectiveness of the ECOSOC 's role in order to make it more attuned to the ongoing changes, by continuing the endeavors of UN restructuring and revitalization programs in economic and social fields;
2. To make ECOSOC more responsive to the emergency situation faced by member countries in economic and social fields, such as financial crisis and natural disasters;
3. To improve the coordinating functions of ECOSOC, especially with regard to its lower bodies;
4. To continue and strengthen cooperation with Bretton Wood Institutions, including following-up on the idea concerning the establishment of
"a joint task force" for the development fund;
5. To accord high priority to information technology which has massively impacted the economies of developing as well as developed countries.

New York, 27 January 2000

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