Bob Rae: Not Retired and Still Going Strong

If you’re not based in Ontario or, for that matter, old enough to remember him, you may not be aware of Bob Rae. However, having met him, I can share that he is deeply respected for his authentic, pragmatic, and engaging approaches to complex issues.

Robert Keith Rae, commonly known as Bob Rae, is a prominent Canadian diplomat and former politician. He began his political journey as a member of the New Democratic Party (NDP), serving as a federal Member of Parliament and then transitioned to provincial politics, becoming the leader of the Ontario NDP and ultimately becoming the 21st Premier of Ontario. He eventually left the NDP and rejoined the Liberal Party, remaining active in federal politics until retiring in 2013.

In July 2020, Rae was appointed Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The good news for Canadians is that he has recently been appointed the new President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Note: If it helps to cut through the alphabet soup that’s so prevalent these days, it is often pronounced as eco sock.

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six principal committees of the United Nations, established under the UN Charter in 1945. Its primary role is coordinating the economic and social work of the UN and its specialized agencies, addressing economic development, social progress, and human rights issues.

Rae recently summarized what he sees as the key priorities for the UN ECOSOC committee. While one may dismiss these as global issues, the reality is that we all need to do a better job of thinking globally and acting locally. Full disclosure: I used AI to summarize ECOSOC priorities; the order below reflects the order in which they appeared. 

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Rae emphasizes the need to get more than 80% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track. This includes addressing regressions in food insecurity, nutrition, malaria prevalence, and greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence
A significant focus will be on ethically harnessing artificial intelligence’s power to drive progress on sustainable development. This involves ensuring that AI technologies are used in ways that benefit society and contribute to achieving the SDGs.

3. Global Migration
Another priority is addressing the challenges and opportunities of global migration. Rae aims to create policies and frameworks that better manage migration flows and support migrants’ rights and well-being.

4. Innovative and Sustainable Financing
Promoting innovative and sustainable financing solutions for international development is crucial. This includes fostering exchanges between global financial institutions and UN member states to enhance understanding and coherence in development financing.

5. Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Integrating issues of gender equality, diversity, and inclusion into all aspects of ECOSOC’s work is vital to Rae’s agenda. This ensures that development efforts are equitable and inclusive.

6. Engagement with Civil Society and Member States
Rae plans to continue the inclusive approach of his predecessor, Paula Narváez, by engaging civil society and all member states in ECOSOC’s work. This includes maintaining open communication channels and encouraging active participation from diverse stakeholders.

7. Focus on Haiti
Rae will remain Chair of the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on Haiti, continuing to focus on the country’s situation, which requires ongoing attention and commitment from the international community.

8. Strengthening Multilateral Systems
Rae is committed to strengthening the multilateral system to advance the achievement of the SDGs and ensure no one is left behind. This involves working collaboratively with the UN, its member states, and civil society.

It’s a daunting list, for sure. However, Rae’s curating and sharing of priorities, confidence, willingness to listen to and engage others, and common-sense approach reflect outstanding leadership. Ultimately, that makes it easier for us to prioritize how we can make a difference in our own corner of the world.

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