The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six main organs of the United Nations (UN). It is responsible for coordinating the economic, social, and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, their functional commissions, and five regional commissions. ECOSOC serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states and the UN system.
History
ECOSOC was established by the United Nations Charter, which was signed on June 26, 1945, in San Francisco. It began its operations on January 1, 1946. The council's inception was part of the broader post-World War II effort to foster international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian nature.
Functions and Responsibilities
- Policy Recommendations: ECOSOC discusses global economic, social, and environmental issues and makes recommendations to promote international cooperation and progress in these areas.
- Coordination: It coordinates the work of various UN agencies, funds, and programs to ensure coherence and effectiveness in addressing global issues.
- Consultation: ECOSOC consults with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), providing them with a platform to influence UN policy and share their expertise.
- Follow-up: It monitors the implementation of the outcomes of major UN conferences and summits, like the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Forum for Discussion: ECOSOC provides a forum for dialogue among member states on key issues such as poverty, health, education, human rights, and sustainable development.
Structure
- Membership: ECOSOC consists of 54 member countries elected by the General Assembly for overlapping three-year terms.
- Subsidiary Bodies: ECOSOC has numerous subsidiary bodies, including functional commissions (like the Commission on Human Rights) and regional commissions, which focus on specific issues or regions.
- Meetings: ECOSOC holds several meetings throughout the year, with its main session occurring in July, where it adopts resolutions and decisions.
Reforms and Recent Developments
In recent years, ECOSOC has undergone reforms to enhance its effectiveness:
- **2005 World Summit:** The summit led to changes in ECOSOC's structure and functions to better address global economic and social issues.
- **2013-2015:** ECOSOC's role was redefined to include a stronger focus on the follow-up and review of the SDGs.
- **Annual Meetings:** ECOSOC now holds a High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) under its auspices, which reviews progress on the SDGs.
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