KATHMANDU, Aug 1: Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Lok Bahadur Thapa, has been elected President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), marking what he described as a “historic moment” for Nepal and its enduring commitment to multilateralism.
Ambassador Thapa will lead the 54-member principal UN organ for a one-year term. Assuming the presidency on Thursday, Thapa announced “Delivering Better” as the theme of his term, emphasizing the need to strengthen partnerships and multilateral cooperation to effectively implement global development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“Delivering better is not an option — it is an imperative,” he said. “It is our pathway to restoring trust in multilateralism, bridging divides, empowering the most vulnerable, and translating commitments into action.”
ECOSOC, one of the six principal organs of the UN, plays a central role in advancing international economic and social cooperation. It comprises 54 member states elected by the UN General Assembly for three-year terms, with seats distributed by regional grouping.
ECOSOC elections are held annually, and the presidency rotates among regional groups. The Asia-Pacific Group generally assumes the presidency once every five years, depending on internal rotation and consensus. This marks the first time Nepal has assumed the presidency of ECOSOC since joining the United Nations in 1955.
Prior to Nepal, countries from the Asia-Pacific region that have held the presidency include India, Pakistan, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iran, South Korea, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka.
Upon his election, Ambassador Thapa outlined five priority areas for his presidency: transforming agriculture to end hunger; promoting digital entrepreneurship and youth engagement; strengthening climate resilience with a focus on glacier lakes and floods; reforming the global financial architecture to make it more inclusive; and commemorating ECOSOC’s 80th anniversary.
He stressed the urgency of addressing these priorities amid escalating global challenges, including climate change, geopolitical tensions, and eroding trust in international institutions. “These challenges are systemic and interconnected. They demand integrated, inclusive, and forward-looking responses,” Thapa said.
Four vice-presidents were also elected to serve alongside Thapa: Amar Bendjama of Algeria, Héctor Gómez Hernández of Spain, Wellington Darío Bencosme Castaños of the Dominican Republic, and Paruyr Hovhannisyan of Armenia.
Outgoing ECOSOC President Bob Rae of Canada reflected on his tenure, acknowledging that while the world is facing deep crises, the role of ECOSOC is to “fix, repair, and mend.” He underscored ECOSOC’s responsibility to go beyond recognizing global hardship and to actively work toward solutions.
Both Rae and Thapa reaffirmed their belief in the importance of multilateralism in addressing global challenges. “We must reaffirm our collective belief in the power of multilateralism — not as an abstract ideal, but as a pragmatic tool for delivering better outcomes for all,” Thapa said.
Former Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Nepal to the UN, Gyan Chandra Acharya, welcomed the development. “It is heartening to note, and indeed an important milestone in our UN journey, that Nepal’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Lok Bahadur Thapa, has been elected President of ECOSOC. It is a singular honor for Nepal and for Ambassador Thapa, especially at a time when multilateralism is under tremendous stress,” he said.
Former Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi also congratulated Thapa, noting that this is the first time Nepal has been elected to lead ECOSOC since joining the UN in 1955. “This achievement marks a significant milestone for Nepal in the realm of multilateral diplomacy. This opportunity has come amidst multiple and mutually reinforcing global challenges,” said Bairagi.
He also emphasized the importance of effective coordination. “Close collaboration between government agencies in Kathmandu and Nepal’s Permanent Mission in New York will be critical to the success of this presidency. In addition, meaningful partnerships with UN member states and other stakeholders will be essential,” he added.