NE states accorded special status in UN ECOSOC: Meghalaya CM

 The United Nation has promised to accord special consultative status to India's Northeastern states for UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today said.

"I am pleased to announce that UN has decided to accord a special consultative status to North Eastern states to ECOSOC," he said addressing the inauguration of United Nations Resource Centre - Institute of Vocational and Entrepreneurship (UNIV) at Tura in West Garo Hills district.

Dr Sangma, also the chairman of Indian federation for United Nations Association (IFUNA), said ECOSOC's discuses and debates on issues and policy recommendation in world's economic, social and environmental challenges.

It was founded by UN charter body in 1946. It has broad responsibility for some 70 per cent of the human and financial resources of the entire UN system, including 14 specialized agencies, 9 "functional" commissions, and five regional commissions.

Three UN resource centre and UN libraries were recently launched at Shillong, Tura and Ampati in Meghalaya.

Moreover, he said, such centre will be opened in Nagaland and Mizoram soon.

Dr Sangma, who also inaugurated a help desk to facilitate admission for various courses for students from Garo hills, informed that six month diploma courses on masonry, apparel design and carpentry will be introduced from August next.