United Nations Economic and Social Council - ECOSOC

United Nations Economic and Social Council (also known as ECOSOC) is one of the principle organs of United Nations that has 54 members of which 1/3rd of the members are elected each year by the General Assembly for a tenure of 3 years.

Each member of Economic and Social Council as one undivided vote and resolutions can be passed through a majority from the members that are present during voting.

The Economic and Social Council gives recommendations to promote the importance and applicability of human rights for all. It can also perform services if asked by the United Nations to do so for any member with the approval of the General Assembly. United Nations here includes all principle organs as well. Initiating studies and reports for matters of importance to economic, social, cultural, educational, health and related matters also the functions performed by Economic and Social Council. Economic and Social Council aims at improving lives of people throughout the world through awareness and action. It aims to promote universal acceptance and respect for human rights, fundamental rights, fundamental freedoms and equality without race, sex, creed, language and religion being a barrier. Economic and Social Council mostly contributed towards improving lives on a global level by increasing living standards, promoting social progress and development and employment opportunities. Any societal change takes a lot of time and this council being the most powerful international institution for the same has a huge role to play in it.

Just like other organs perform their respective roles and work for international peace and security, Economic and Social Council works hard to achieve social goals, raise health standards of an average being and solve international economic problem s for which all members work together. United Nations also has many specialized institutions that have formed by the efforts of Economic and Social Council and General Assembly which are:

1. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

2. The United Nations Development Program

3. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization

4. The United Nations World Food Program

5. United Nations Children Emergency Fund

6. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

The Council has also formed some active and working commissions for specialization in achieving goals namely:

1. Commission on Narcotic Drugs

2. Commission on Population and Development

3. Commission on Science and Technology for Development

4. Commission on the Status of Women

5. Statistical Commission

6. Commission for Social Development

7. Commission for Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

8. Forum on Forests

9. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

10. United Nation Economic Commission for Africa

11. United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and Caribbean

12. United Nations Economic and Social Council for Asia and Pacific

13. United Nations Economic and Social Council for Western Asia

The Council formed some expert bodies as well to ensure expert care for certain important projects which are as follows:

1. Committee for Development Policy

2. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

3. Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management

4. Committee of Experts on International Tax Cooperation in Tax Matters

5. Committee of Experts in Public Administration

6. Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals

7. Group of Experts on Geographical Names

8. Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Regulation

9. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

10. System Chief Executive Board for Coordination

11. High Level Committee on Management

Council has some Standing Committees formed which are:

1. Committee for Program and Coordination

2. Committee for Non - Governmental Organizations

3. Committee for Negotiations with Intergovernmental Agencies

Economic and Social Council has played a crucial role in impacting the lives of people around the world. They formed many agencies which are doing excellent work today worldwide and helping people. These agencies are the following:

1. FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization

2. ICAO - International Civil Aviation Organization

3. IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development

4. ILO - International Labour Organization

5. IMF - International Monetary Fund

6. IMO - International Maritime Organization

7. ITU - International Telecommunication Union

8. UNESCO - United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Organization

9. UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization

10. UNWTO - United Nations World Tourism Organisation

11. UPU - Universal Postal Union

12. WBG - World Bank Group

13. WHO - World Health Organization

14. WIPO - World Intellectual Property Organization

15. WMO - World Meteorological Department