New York / Information Office / February 09

The State of Qatar and Iceland have chaired the first informal meeting of the intergovernmental consultations on the process of reviewing the implementation of the General Assembly resolution (61/16) on strengthening the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Qatar's delegation was led by HE Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al -Thani, the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations.

The intergovernmental consultations are an important opportunity to exchange views on strengthening the work of the Economic and Social Council, and its role in supporting the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan as well as responding to global challenges.

The President of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly had earlier appointed HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations and HE the Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations as facilitators of the partnership to lead the intergovernmental consultations on the review of the implementation of General Assembly resolution (61/16 ) On strengthening the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

The intergovernmental consultations will be concluded during the current session of the United Nations General Assembly.