ECOSOC and the Security Council

The relations between the Economic and Social Council and the Security Council are enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Article 65 states that “The Economic and Social Council may furnish information to the Security Council and shall assist the Security Council upon its request.” This provision was used in 1999 when ECOSOC established the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti , following an invitation made by the Security Council in its resolution 1212 (1998) to contribute to the elaboration of a long-term programme of support for Haiti. The Chair of the Ad Hoc Group has occasionally briefed the Security Council on Haiti.

Following the example of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Haiti and responding to a request made by the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council established Ad hoc Advisory Groups on Guinea-Bissau and Burundi  - active from 2003 to 2006.  These Groups, which promoted a comprehensive approach to peace and development in post conflict settings, prefigured the country specific configurations of the Peacebuilding Commission, for which they constituted an “avant garde”.  The creation of these Groups led to enhanced interaction between ECOSOC and the Security Council, particularly its Ad Hoc Working Group Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa.

Interaction between ECOSOC and the Security Council has also taken place through participation/briefings by the President of ECOSOC at the Security Council on issues related to economic and social aspects of conflict prevention and peacebuilding. 

Meetings

• 2022: Security Council Arria Formula Meeting on Transitioning from Protracted Conflict and Fragility into Peace Through Sustainable Development [ECOSOC Vice-President’s statement]
• 2021: Signature event on Peace and Security through Preventive Diplomacy: A Common Objective to All UN Principal Organs [ECOSOC President’s statement]
• 2021: Security Council Arria Formula Meeting on Haiti, Titled “Beyond the Inconvenient Truths about Underdevelopment in Haiti: Seeking Pan-African Solutions/Pathways and Supporting National Dialogue and Reconciliation” [ECOSOC President’s statement]
• 2020: Open debate on peacebuilding and sustaining peace: contemporary drivers of conflict [ECOSOC President’s statement]
• 2019: Open debate on women, peace and security [ECOSOC President’s statement]
• 2019: Open debate on Haiti  [ECOSOC President’s statement]
• 2018: Open debate on strengthening Multilateralism and Strengthening the Role of the UN [ECOSOC President’s statement]
• 2015: Open debate on the working methods of the Security Council [ECOSOC Vice-President’s statement]
• 2011: Open debate on women, peace and security  
• 2010: Open debate on women, peace and security [ECOSOC President’s statement]
• 2009: Open debate on Haiti [ECOSOC President’s statement]
• 2007: Open debate on natural resources and conflict [ECOSOC President’s statement]
• 2007: Open debate on security sector reform in post-conflict states [ECOSOC President’s statement]
• 2007: Open debate on the Peacebuilding Commission [ECOSOC President’s statement]
• 2006: Open debate on Haiti [ECOSOC President’s statement]
• 2004: Open debate on the role of civil society in post-conflict peacebuilding
• 2004: Debate on complex crises and the United Nations response [ECOSOC President’s statement]
• 2004: Debate on the role of business in conflict prevention, peacekeeping and post-conflict peacebuilding [ECOSOC President’s statement]
• 2003: Briefing on the situation in Burundi
• 2003: Private meeting on the situation in Guinea Bissau (18/11/2003)

“Sustainable development cannot be realized without peace and security; and peace and security will be at risk without sustainable development”

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

“We must also bring the humanitarian and development spheres closer together from the very beginning of a crisis to support affected communities, address structural and economic impacts and help prevent a new spiral of fragility and instability. Humanitarian response, sustainable development and sustaining peace are three sides of the same triangle”

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, 12 December 2016