Functions of UN's Economic and Social Council

Introduction: The United Nations Organization may have been a failure as far as the peace and security of the world is concerned but there can hardly be any doubt that it has played a critical role in promoting global social and economic cooperation. The Economic and Social Council under the chapter IX and X of the UN charter has proved to be of immense value. It coordinates and provides a genera attraction to the specialized agencies of the UN. The areas of its services include a number of extremely important factors related to the global social and economic welfare. Food security, elimination of disease, refugee welfare, children welfare, scientific research and cultural exchanges are only a few of the issues the EcoSoc is dealing with in a relatively successful manner.
Composition of ECOSOC :
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the 6 principal organs of the United Nations System established by the UN Charter in 1945. It consists of 54 Members of the United Nations elected by the General Assembly. The members are elected for three-year terms by the General Assembly. Seats on the Council are allotted based on geographical representation with fourteen allocated to African States, eleven to Asian States, six to Eastern European States, ten to Latin American and Caribbean States, and thirteen to Western European and other States. ECOSOC coordinates economic, social, and related work of the fourteen United Nations specialized agencies, functional commissions and five regional commissions. It 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.

Functions :
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