Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Lok Bahadur Thapa, has been elected Vice President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2025 session. This significant appointment was announced on Thursday, highlighting Thapa’s influential role within the international community.
Ambassador Thapa, representing the Asia-Pacific countries, will serve alongside Krzysztof Szczerski from Poland (Eastern European countries) and Maritza Chan Valverde from Costa Rica (Latin American and Caribbean countries), who have also been elected as vice presidents of ECOSOC for the upcoming session. A vice president from the African States regional group will be elected at a later date.
Currently, Robert Rae serves as Canada’s Ambassador to the UN and chair of ECOSOC’s Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti. Rae succeeds Paula Narváez Ojeda of Chile as the chair of ECOSOC.
Having arrived in New York a year ago to take on the role of Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Thapa has brought extensive diplomatic experience to his position. His prior roles include serving as Nepal’s ambassador to Belgium and the European Union, where he was recognized for his effective leadership and commitment to international cooperation.
ECOSOC, one of the principal organs of the United Nations, plays a critical role in promoting international economic and social cooperation and development. Thapa’s appointment as Vice President underscores Nepal’s growing influence and active participation in global governance and development initiatives.
Delivering his inaugural address in a mixture of French and English, Mr. Rae noted that this was a crucial moment for the UN. The international community is now past the halfway point for implementing Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, with over 80 percent of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) off track. While acknowledging the “bad news,” he also pointed to the “good news,” emphasizing that greater efforts can at least ensure there is no more backsliding.
“We can also learn more from countries that are succeeding,” Rae added.
Rae outlined his priorities, including a continued focus on the global displacement crisis. “We need to ensure that the rights of those on the move are protected; that they are supported by regular migration and by refugee protection pathways,” he said, underscoring the need for “predictable and equitable responsibility sharing.”
He also highlighted the importance of harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs and deepening engagement with international financial institutions to address gaps in financing for development and for fragile and conflict-affected countries. Additionally, Rae emphasized gender equality as a fundamental human right and a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.
The outgoing ECOSOC President, Paula Narváez Ojeda, reflected on her tenure during “a difficult global situation” marked by escalating conflict, worsening food insecurity, a rise in extreme poverty, deepening inequality, and increasing effects of climate change. “The Council is essential to achieving effective multilateralism that is fair, representative, and interconnected,” she said, speaking in Spanish.
Narváez Ojeda concluded her remarks by inviting members to “really harness this rich institutional network” to channel efforts towards achieving the SDGs.
Ambassador Thapa’s new role is expected to further enhance collaboration between member states in addressing global economic and social challenges, reflecting his dedication to advancing the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. The international community eagerly anticipates the contributions of Vice President Thapa and his fellow vice presidents in steering ECOSOC towards a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
Susan Shrestha
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