Why in news?

Recently, a High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development was held under the auspices of the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The solutions offered by indigenous tribal communities in Rajasthan to global challenges, and their role in the execution of policies were highlighted at this forum.

What’s in today’s article?

• U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
• Role of Rajasthan's Tribal Communities in tackling global challenges

UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

• About
  • It is one of the six principal organs of UN which was established by UN Charter (1945)
  • It is responsible for the direction and coordination of the economic, social, humanitarian, and cultural activities carried out by the UN.
  • Decisions are taken by simple majority vote. The presidency of ECOSOC changes annually.
• Members
  • It has 54 members which are elected for three-year terms by the General Assembly.
    • Four of the five permanent members of the Security Council have been continuously re-elected.
    • This is because they provide funding for most of ECOSOC’s budget, which is the largest of any UN subsidiary body.
• Function
  • ECOSOC is responsible for coordinating the social and economic fields of the organization, specifically in regards to the 15 specialized agencies, the five regional commissions under the jurisdiction, the eight functional commissions.
  • It also serves as a central forum to discuss the international social and economic issues and formulating policy recommendations addressed to the member states and the United States system.

Role of Rajasthan's Tribal Communities in tackling global challenges

• Background
  • Recently, a High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
    • The UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), through its outcome on "The Future We Want", established the HLPF in 2012.
    • The HLPF is the central platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs.
  • It was held under the auspices of the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
  • Theme - ‘Reinforcing the 2030 agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: The effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions’.
  • A ministerial declaration adopted at the forum called for renewed impetus to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Forum acknowledged the role of indigenous communities for their solutions in the context of biodiversity and ecosystems
  • The indigenous practices, rooted in reverence for natural and community-centric approaches, could promote sustainability and resilience, which were essential for reinforcing the 2030 agenda amid crises.
    • Indigenous solutions not only meet their own needs but also contribute to broader sustainability goals.
    • E.g., recently, various events were held in southern Rajasthan for preservation of indigenous seed varieties to restore links between crop diversity and climate resilience. 
  • The forum emphasized that the global community is facing unprecedented crises, including climate change and socio-economic consequences, which are exacerbating challenges like economic inequality and environmental degradation.
  • It highlighted that the tribal communities in Rajasthan have adopted innovative approaches guided by sustainable and resilient solutions across environmental, social, cultural, and economic systems.
  • By drawing from the principles of swaraj (sovereignty), the tribals’ lifestyle and cultural values have led to self-sufficiency, reduced dependence on external sources, and improved agricultural practices.
  • The initiatives based on seed sovereignty, soil sovereignty, food and nutrition sovereignty, water sovereignty and cultural sovereignty had empowered tribal communities in the State to collectively overcome critical challenges.
• Best practices of tribals highlighted at the forum included
  • the production of local seeds,
  • water conservation at source,
  • use of animals in agriculture,
  • checking soil erosion through mixed cropping, and
  • the use of uncultivated food for nutritional security.
• These practices have helped tribal communities reduce their dependence on the market and survive during the difficult phases, including the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21.