Economic and Social Council Documentation
The Economic and Social Council(ECOSOC) deals with economic, social, cultural and health matters as well as human rights and fundamental freedoms. It also coordinates the work of the UN and the specialized agencies.
Chapter X, Articles 61-72, of the UN Charter concern ECOSOC.
ECOSOC consists of 54 members, 18 of which are elected each year by the General Assembly for a three-year term.
The Rules of Procedure of the Economic and Social Council are contained in document E/5715/Rev.2 (Sales number 92.I.22). Background information about the work of the Council can be retrieved from the Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs.
Under General Assembly resolution 68/1, ECOSOC shifted its work programme to a July-July cycle but continues to hold one substantive and one organizational session per year as has been the practice. Its substantive session is divided into the following segments:
- High-level segment
- Operational activities for development segment
- Humanitarian affairs segment
- Integration segment
In addition to the above segments, the Council also holds coordination and management meetings and financing for development meetings during its substantive session.
With the new July-July cycle, the organizational session is now held in July and not in February as was the previous practice.
The basic format for the symbols of ECOSOC documents is:
- symbol pattern: E/year/sequential number
- example: E/2016/100
From 1946 to 1977, the symbol pattern was E/sequential number:
- example: E/1046
Note on the increase in membership of Economic and Social Council
- Article 61 of the Charter concerns membership
- Originally 18 members
- A/RES/1991 (XVIII) of 17 December 1963 recommended amending the Charter
- Entered into force 31 August 1965
- Increased membership to 27
- A/RES/2847 (XXVI) of 20 December 1971 recommended amending the Charter
- Entered into force 12 October 1973
- Increased membership to 54
