Statement by H.E. Mr. Paruyr Hovhannisyan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN, at the commemorative meeting marking the 80th anniversary of the Economic and Social Council

23 January, 2026

Mr. President, Excellences,

Armenia warmly joins others in commemorating the 80th anniversary of ECOSOC. For eight decades, the Council has served as the central platform for advancing international economic and social cooperation, translating global commitments into coordinated, system-wide action across the UN development system.

At a time of overlapping global crises—climate change and biodiversity loss, inequality, debt distress and geopolitical fragmentation—ECOSOC’s mandate is not merely relevant, but indispensable. Through its oversight of the UN development system, its functional commissions and forums, and its engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, the Council is uniquely positioned to promote coherence, reduce fragmentation, and advance collective solutions to shared challenges.

Armenia attaches particular importance to ECOSOC’s role in ensuring that global commitments are translated into concrete and coordinated action across its diverse ecosystem. In this regard, integrating key outcomes of the Pact of the Future, the Sevilla Commitment, as well as the outcomes of the Second World Summit for Social Development and WSIS+20 into the Council’s ongoing and future work is essential to ensure continuity, focus and impact.

As we reflect on ECOSOC’s legacy, we must also look ahead. Today’s realities call for renewed efforts to reinforce the Council’s mandate and enhance its effectiveness within global economic and social governance. Armenia, as a current member of the Bureau will continue to advocate for a stronger coordination role for ECOSOC, greater use of evidence-based policymaking, improved system-wide synergies, and meaningful engagement with civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders.

As we mark this milestone, Armenia reaffirms its strong commitment to ECOSOC and to a reinvigorated, effective and action-oriented multilateral system. A strengthened ECOSOC is essential not only for accelerating progress towards the SDGs, but also for restoring trust in multilateral cooperation.

Let ECOSOC at 80 be not only a moment of reflection, but a turning point—towards renewed global solidarity and a sustainable future for all.

Thank you.

MFA RA
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