WASHINGTON

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called on member states to urgently strengthen the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), warning that growing global divisions and declining trust in multilateralism threaten progress on development and peace.

Speaking at the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of ECOSOC, Guterres described the body as an “engine of progress” since its first meeting in 1946, while stressing that its mandate has become more demanding as global challenges intensify.

"Conflicts rage, as military spending goes through the roof. Inequalities grow, while development funding is in free fall,” Guterres said. “These intertwined crises cannot be solved with unilateral approaches or raw power. They demand urgent, collective responses. And ECOSOC can help lead the way."

Guterres, but, said ECOSOC's continued success “requires something more,” particularly at a time when international cooperation is under strain.

He urged governments to move quickly to implement reforms agreed under the Pact for the Future, describing them as essential to ensuring ECOSOC remains effective and relevant.

"ECOSOC has a vital role to play in our divided and unequal world — and we must waste no time in strengthening it," Guterres said.

Guterres described ECOSOC, one of the six main bodies of the UN, as an "indispensable platform" for global dialogue, capable of helping countries bridge development divides and address shared challenges.