The Coalition at ECOSOC 2004

The theme of the High-level Segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) held in New York from 28-30 June 2004, was 'Resource mobilization and enabling environment for poverty eradication in the context of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010'.

As a contribution to the 2004 ECOSOC session, the International Land Coalition joined the Government of Benin and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) to convene a Ministerial Roundtable discussion on 30 June 2004. The discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities of turning assets into usable capital as an approach to poverty reduction among Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The President of Benin, H.E. Mathieu Kerekou, and ILC Coordinator, Bruce Moore, chaired the meeting, which brought together more than 30 participants from ministerial and ambassadorial delegations, civil society, senior UN officials and the private sector.

This roundtable marked the second ocassion on which ILC has convened a ministerial-level meeting during the ECOSOC High-Level Segment. In 2003, the Coaltion joined IFAD to host a ministerial roundtable on land use practices and the impact on rural development, as well convening several side events focused on access to land, water and other natural resources.

These activities are part of the ILC's global advocacy efforts which provide opportunities for organizations working directly with rural communities, to bring their lessons and experiences to the attention of UN and other international fora, and seek to strengthen international commitments to increase access to land by poor men and women.

Links:

The Issues Paper | (Français Version) prepared by the ILC, in conjunction with the Government of Benin, DESA and other UN agencies, which served as a background document to the roundtable discussion.

1. Final report of the roundtable
2. List of participants
3. Ministerial Declaration from 2004 ECOSOC High-level Segment (1 July)
4. News from ECOSOC - Vol 3 No 3 PDF 176KB