Today, India was elected by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations as a member of the UN Statistical Commission, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the Programme Coordinating Board of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). These are important subsidiary bodies of the ECOSOC.

The Statistical Commission is the highest body dealing with international statistical activities and is responsible for standards setting in the field of statistics. India was a member of the Statistical Commission last in 2004. Thus, India is returning to the Statistical Commission after a gap of two decades. The experience of India in the field of official statistics especially with regard to its diversity and demography is immense and will be a value addition to the functioning of the Statistical Commission.

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs supervises the application of international drug control treaties, while the Programme Coordinating Board of UNAIDS supports and provides strategic direction for an international response to HIV/AIDS.

The overwhelming support received by India in today’s elections reflects the trust reposed by the international community on India’s expertise in these bodies. Guided by the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘The World is One Family’, India will strive to make its due contributions in these and other organs, in the spirit of advancing multilateral solutions to global challenges.

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