MALAYSIA SCORES POINTS AS ECOSOC PRESIDENT

By Manik Mehta

NEW YORK, July 13 (Bernama) -- Since it assumed the presidency of the United
Nations' Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on Jan 19, Malaysia has been
scoring points in this position.

This is a widely heard view not only in the corridors of the "glass house",
as the imposing United Nations building on New York's First Avenue is called,
but also on the diplomatic circuit where views are exchanged, problems are
discussed and even solutions, no matter how impractical, are sometimes offered.

In an interview with Bernama Monday in his office at the Malaysian
permanent mission, Hamidon Ali, the Malaysian permanent representative, took
stock of the six months of Malaysia's presidency.

"It has been a busy six months for all of us. We had to deal with all kinds
of issues, including humanitarian and other segments," Hamidon said.

He maintained that "everyone is positive about Malaysia's role and its
leadership of the ECOSOC".

"ECOSOC has become more relevant and revitalised, as many ECOSOC members
have been saying," he said.

The timing of Malaysia's presidency of the ECOSOC also coincided with the
economic crisis that plagues the world.

"We are trying to make the ECOSOC an effective UN institution and are also
exploring the possibility of institutionalising its meeting each year instead of
every two years.

"We are concentrating on millennium development goals in September (when the
UN General Assembly starts)," said Hamidon.

The Malaysian permanent representative, whose deft handling of sensitive
ECOSOC issues and low-key approach have earned him plaudit from UN diplomats,
spoke of the "urgency" in convening a session to discuss the Free Gaza Flotilla,
the Middle East talks and other matters.

A realistic timeframe for holding such a session would be between July 25
and 31," said Hamidon.

The envoy said UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon had also indicated his
interest in holding such a session.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was recently in the United
States to discuss the Middle East situation with the Obama administration, was
supposed to respond to the UN initiative this week.

Turkey has complained about the treatment given by Israel and sought the
release of the six vessels held by Israel, besides seeking compensation for the
loss of nine lives.

A resolution has been drafted by the Arab League nations who are not only
keen to redress the Gaza problem but also want a revival of the complex Middle
East peace process.

There is a strong sentiment within the ECOSOC quarters over the Middle East
issue but, as Hamidon emphasised "this is being done in a constructive manner."

The visit of Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman in New York also
underscored this point.

Malaysia is keen to have a session on the Gaza flotilla issue and the Middle
East peace process which has stalled because of disagreement on both the
Palestinian and Israeli sides.

There is a possibility of the foreign minister visiting New York again after
the Asean ministerial meeting in Hanoi on July 23.

Another very important issue that tops the ECOSOC agenda is women's
empowerment and gender equality.

" . the empowerment of women has one of the strongest multiplier effects on
achieving all of the MDGs (millennium development goals)," said Hamidon,
referring to the eight human development and poverty eradication targets known
as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which is a goal to be achieved
before the 2015 deadline.
-- BERNAMA