The ECOSOC Chamber at the United Nations, New York, a gift from Sweden.

Topics

• Strengthening the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries
• Establishing Sustainable Circular Economies Through the Development of Waste Recycling Partnerships
• Aiding efforts to building climate-resilient infrastructure for drought and famine

Background

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is a principal organ of the UN. The UN Charter states the ECOSOC 'may make or initiate studies and reports with respect to international economic, social, cultural, educational, health, and related matters and may make recommendations with respect to any such matters to the General Assembly to the Members of the United Nations, and to the specialized agencies concerned.' For more on its role, see the United Nations Charter, Chapter X.

The ECOSOC consists of 54 Member States, elected by the General Assembly to three-year terms. Seats are allocated for geographic representation of UN regional groups. It normally meets for one four-week session each July.

The ECOSOC is the central forum for international economic and social issues, and formulating policy recommendations to Member States and the United Nations System. It also oversees cooperation with over 1,600 non- governmental organizations recognized by the UN.

The most important power of the ECOSOC is oversight of UN specialized agencies, such as the UN Development Program UNDP), UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the World Food Program (WFP). It also can instruct the Secretary-General. But like the General Assembly, it cannot demand action from the sovereign UN Member States. ECOSOC only can request action and set goals for the Member States. This is ECOSOC's greatest challenge; how to make sure Member States live up to their promises?