Himal Press 
NEW YORK: Nepal’s Permanent Resident Representative to the United Nations, Lok Bahadur Thapa, has expressed commitment to transform the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) into not just a platform for dialogue, but a catalyst for action and results.
Delivering his inaugural statement as ECOSOC President, Thapa expressed commitment to working closely with all member states to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with the Council’s mandate.
Nepal was elected President of the ECOSON on Thursday. This is the first time in 40 years, under the regional rotation system, that Nepal has assumed one of the UN’s most significant multilateral leadership roles. Nepal’s election to the presidency was assured after it served as ECOSOC’s Vice President from the Asia-Pacific region last year and received unanimous support for its leadership bid.
ECOSOC, one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, consists of 54 member states. Ambassador Thapa will now lead the Council on behalf of Nepal.
Outlining Nepal’s vision, Thapa identified five priority areas during its presidency — transforming agri-food systems; mobilising financial resources for development through structural reforms and strategic partnerships; promoting digital inclusion and youth entrepreneurship; addressing the risks of glacial lake outburst floods and protecting vulnerable communities; and celebrating the 80th anniversary of ECOSOC.
Recalling Nepal’s longstanding commitment to multilateralism, Thapa described the ECOSOC presidency as the country’s most significant international responsibility in four decades. “Nepal’s leadership of ECOSOC is a reflection of our deep aspiration to contribute meaningfully to global development,” he added.
On this occasion, he called on UN member states, UN bodies, civil society, and other stakeholders to work together to achieve common goals. Thapa also expressed commitment to strengthening coordination within ECOSOC, promoting inclusive collaboration, accelerating progress on the 2030 Agenda, and establishing effective implementation mechanisms.
Algeria, Armenia, the Dominican Republic and Spain have been elected Vice Presidents for the 2026 session to assist the ECOSOC Bureau in advancing its agenda.
Nepal’s presidency is expected to elevate the country’s diplomatic profile and enhance engagement with international financial institutions, civil society and development partners.
As one of the UN’s principal bodies, ECOSOC coordinates the organisation’s work in economic and social spheres. It serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues and providing policy recommendations to member states and the UN system. ECOSOC membership rotates regularly, and more than 1,600 non-governmental organisations hold consultative status with the Council, allowing them to participate in UN processes.
Ambassador Thapa has served in key postings in China, India, Saudi Arabia and Australia. He earlier served as Nepal’s ambassador to the European Union in Brussels and is among the most senior officials in Nepal’s foreign service. Upon completing his term in New York, he is expected to take a leading role within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
