Zambia has been elected as a member of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) by the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Zambia was elected together with four other African countries – Kenya, Mauritania, Nigeria, and Senegal. Twelve other countries were also elected to represent other regions, namely Asia-Pacific States, Eastern European States, Latin American and Caribbean States, and Western European and other States.

Zambia polled 190 votes out of the 191 valid ballots cast.

Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr Chola Milambo, in confirming the election outcome noted that Zambia’s membership in ECOSOC will give the country an opportunity to join the rest of the world in articulating issues that fall under economic diplomacy such as development, economic development, trade, debt and international financial systems and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Zambia was last a member of ECOSOC from 2011 to 2013 and served as President of the Council in 2011 to 2012.

ECOSOC is the organ of the United Nations that is responsible for coordinating the economic and social fields of the organization.

It is at the center of the United Nations Development System and serves as the central forum for discussing international economic affairs and formulating policy recommendations to member states and the United Nations System.