INTERNATIONAL UNION OF ECONOMISTS (IUE)

I congratulate the International Union of Economists on the celebration of its XXVth anniversary and on the occasion of its Jubilee Annual Meeting. We appreciate the long-standing partnership that the IUE enjoys with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Beginning with attaining ECOSOC General Consultative Status in 1999, the Union has maintained a tradition of cooperation with the NGO Branch of the Office for ECOSOC Support and Coordination. Over the years, the Union has embraced the need to develop new forms of constructive dialogue with other organizations and Member States in the quest to achieve key global development goals including, socio-economic growth, protection of the environment, peace, justice and equality. These goals strongly complement the role of ECOSOC as the United Nations’ central platform for fostering debate, innovative thinking and building partnerships for development. As the international community transitions to implementation of the new global Sustainable Development Goals, which are designed to promote sustained and integrated action across the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, the NGO Branch looks forward to continue to cooperate with the Union in the pursuit of our common goals. The year ahead promises to be an exciting one for the IUE as it looks to strengthen its collaborations and partnerships, share the extensive knowledge of its members, promote education and innovation, improve quality of life, reform the housing sector and expand the IUE mission to new regions. In keeping with the spirit of cooperation that has been a hallmark of our work through the years, it is a great honour for me to extend best wishes to the International Union of Economists as you engage in the numerous activities during this anniversary year and embark on another successful twenty-five years.