Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

The Charter established the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as the principal organ to coordinate the economic, social and related work of the United Nations.

ECOSOC serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to Member States and the United Nations system. It is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress; identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems; facilitating international cultural and educational cooperation; and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. With its broad mandate the Council's purview extends to over 70 per cent of the human and financial resources of the entire UN system. ECOSOC has 54 members, all of whom are elected by the General Assembly for a three-year term. Each member of ECOSOC has one vote, and decisions are made by a simple majority of the members present and voting.

Through its discussion of international economic and social issues and its policy recommendations, ECOSOC plays a key role in fostering the international cooperation for development and in setting the priorities for action.