ISLAMABAD: Pakistan was on Thursday elected to the United Nation's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2024, state-run APP reported on Thursday.

The Economic and Social Council, under the overall authority of the UN General Assembly, coordinates the economic and social work of the UN and the UN family of organizations. The ECOSOC is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress, identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems, facilitating international cultural and educational cooperation, and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, said Pakistan’s election to the body was a recognition of “our positive role in international diplomacy.”

In balloting in the 193-member General Assembly, Pakistan received 129 votes. A two-third majority – 124 votes – was required for election.

“We’re very gratified at Pakistan’s success in an highly contested election. Our success is a recognition of Pakistan’s importance and its positive role in international diplomacy,” Akram said.

“We hope to play yet once again our active role in the forum of ECOSOC by fostering agreement on the structure and content of new, more dynamic and equitable structure of international economic cooperation.”

Others elected on the Asian seats are: Japan (127 votes) and Nepal (145 votes). Iraq, with 50 votes, and Tajikistan, with 120 votes, did not make it.

Pakistan has in the past served on the ECOSOC 10 times, and in the capacity as the 54-member body’s President six times in 1952, 1957, 1975, 1995, 2005 and 2020.