United Nations Economic and Social Council

As one of the five principal organs of the United Nations, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) plays a pivotal role in facilitating international co-operation on economic and social issues in countries around the world. Not only does ECOSOC serve as an information and statistic gathering body for the wider UN system, it coordinates the workings of specialized agencies as diverse as the International Labor Organization, the World Health Organization and UNICEF. With the mandate to discuss and make policy recommendations on areas as distinct and essential as economic development, universal respect for human rights, as well as cultural and educational co-operation across national borders, ECOSOC controls over 70% of the United Nations' financial and human resources.

Through its many subsidiary agencies, ECOSOC has helped to implement countless programs aimed at improving the quality of life of communities around the globe. It has the potential to serve as a powerful forum for the discussion of pressing issues, and routinely makes recommendations to the General Assembly and other organs of the UN.

• Official ECOSOC website: www.un.org/ecosoc
• Background Information: www.un.org/docs/ecosoc/ecosoc_background.html