General Assembly Elects 18 Members of Economic and Social Council

The General Assembly today elected 18 members of the Economic and Social Council to serve three-year terms beginning 1 January 2013.

Those elected today were:   Albania, Benin, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Haiti, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritius, Nepal, Netherlands, San Marino, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan and the United States.

The 18 outgoing members were:   Argentina, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Canada, Chile, Comoros, Egypt, Ghana, Iraq, Italy, Mongolia, Netherlands, Philippines, Rwanda, Slovakia, Ukraine, United States and Zambia.

The new members were elected according to the following pattern:  five from African States, four from Asia‑Pacific States, two from Eastern European States, three from Latin American and Caribbean States and four from Western European and other States.

Ahead of that action, the Assembly, in a by‑election for the Western European and other States, decided that:  Australia would relinquish its seat on the Council at the end of the year 2012 for the remaining term, in favour of New Zealand; that Germany would relinquish its seat on the Council in favour of Austria; that Finland would relinquish its seat on the Council in favour of Denmark; and that Switzerland would relinquish its seat on the Council, also at the end of the year 2012 for the remaining term, in favour of Sweden.  The terms of office for Denmark, New Zealand and Sweden would begin on 1 January 2013 and end on 31 December 2013, while the term of office of Austria would begin on 1 January 2013 and end on 31 December 2014.

As of 1 January 2013, the remaining States making up the 54‑member body will be:  Austria, Belarus, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Senegal, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom.  

The General Assembly will reconvene at 10 a.m. Monday, 12 November to hold various elections and appointments, including to the Human Rights Council.

Voting Results for By‑Election

Having obtained the required majority, Austria, Denmark, New Zealand and Sweden were elected members of the Economic and Social Council for a term of office beginning on 1 January 2013 and ending on 31 December 2013 for Denmark, New Zealand and Sweden, and 31 December 2014 for Austria.

Voting Results for General Elections

Having obtained the required two thirds majority, the following 18 States were elected members of the Economic and Social Council for a three‑year term beginning on 1 January 2013:   Albania, Benin, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Haiti, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritius, Nepal, Netherlands, San Marino, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan and the United States.

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