World News in Brief: New ECOSOC chief, Secretary-General candidates’ debate, torture in Mali, drowning prevention

Amar Bendjama, Permanent Representative of Algeria to the UN, was elected on Thursday to serve as the next president of the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).In a speech to Member States on Thursday, the veteran diplomat said his three priorities would be inclusivity, accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and renewing trust in multilateralism, including by prioritising “substance over procedural routine” when it comes to the council’s work.ECOSOC is the UN's central platform for coordinating economic, social and environmental policy and for reviewing progress on the SDGs.Mr. Bendjama also highlighted the fact that just 36 per cent of the goals with trend data are on track, emphasizing the need to accelerate progress towards 2030.“It is time for complete and tangible results that advance our common agenda and leave no one and no country behind,” Mr. Bendjama said. He will take office for a one-year term starting on 31 July.Outgoing president reflects on progressOutgoing President Lok Bahadur Thapa, Permanent Representative of Nepal, highlighted the “indispensable” role ECOSOC plays in addressing issues of poverty, health and education.“When we stand together,...