CHANAKYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

Economic and social council of U.N.O

This final draft is submitted in the partial fulfilment of the subject

POLITICAL SCIENCE – II

SUBMITTED TO:

PROF. DR. S.P SINGH

PROF. OF POLITICAL SCIENCE & DEAN SOCIAL SCIENCES & HUMANITY

SUBMITTED BY:

NAME –ANUJ RAJ

COURSE – B.A. LLB (HONS)

ROLL NO –2316

SESSION – 2020-2021

SEMESTER – 2

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 TENTATIVE CHAPTERIZATION

Declaration by the candidate ……………………………......………...............3

Acknowledgement……………………………....................…….......……4

Aims and objective…………………………..........................8

Hypothesis………………………………...........................................8
Research questions.............................................................................................8

Research methodology...................................................................................8

Introduction.............................................................................................
Background of economic and social council…………………………………..
Origin of EASCO…………………….
Need to create the EASCO
Composition
Voting power
Procedure
Power and functions
Committees and other bodies
Relationship with specialised agency
conclusion
Conclusion........................................................................................................25
Bibliography ....................................................................................................26

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 Declaration by the candidate
I, hereby, declare that the work reported in the B.A
L.L.B (Hons.) Project Report titled “ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
COUNCIL OF U.N.O” submitted at CHANAKYA NATIONAL LAW
UNIVERSITY, PATNA is an authentic record of my work carried out under
the supervision Of DR. S.P SINGH, Professor OF POLITICAL SCIENCE &
DEAN SOCIAL SCIENCES & HUMANITY . I have not submitted this work

elsewhere for any other degree or diploma. I am fully responsible for the
contents of my Project Report.

(Signature of the Candidate)

ANUJ RAJ
ROLL NO 2316
B.A.L.L.B 1ST YEAR
CNLU PATNA

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 Acknowledgement
I would like to show my gratitude towards my guide, DR. S.P SINGH, PROF.OF
POLITICAL SCIENCE & DEAN SOCIAL SCIENCES & HUMANITY under
whose guidance, I structured my project. I owe the present accomplishment of
my project to everyone, who helped me immensely with materials throughout
the project and without whom I couldn’t have completed it in the present way.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to my friends and all those unseen
hands that helped me out at every stage of my project

THANK YOU,

ANUJ RAJ
ROLL NO 2316
B.A.L.L.B 1ST YEAR
CNLU PATNA

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 AIMS AND OBJECTIVE
 To know in detail about economic and social council of U.N.O.

 Why we need to create economic and social council of U.N.O ?

 To know in the detail about composition of economic and social council

 To know in detail in detail about power and functions of economic and

social council.

 To know about what is relationship between special agency and economic

and social council

HYPOTHESIS

The researcher presumes that economic and social council plays a

important role in achieving international cooperation in solving
international problems regarded economic , social , cultural aspects .

RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

1. Power and functions of economic and social council.

2. Composition of economic and social council
3. What is the role of different commission under economic and social
council.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

The researcher has primarily used the doctrinal method of research which
includes books, journals, articles and most important our constitution of India

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 INTRODUCTION

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), under the overall authority
of the General Assembly, coordinates the economic and social work of the
United Nations and the UN family of organizations. As the central forum for
discussing international economic and social issues and for formulating policy
recommendations, the Council plays a key role in fostering international
cooperation for development. It also consults with non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), thereby maintaining a vital link between the United
Nations and civil society. The Council has 54 members, elected by the
General Assembly for three-year terms. It meets throughout the year and holds
a major session in July, during which a high-level meeting of Ministers
discusses major economic, social and humanitarian issues.1

1
https://www.un.org/ecosoc/en/about-us

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Background of economic and social council2

The 54-member Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is at the heart of the
United Nations system to advance the three dimensions of sustainable
development – economic, social and environmental.

It is the central platform for fostering debate and innovative thinking, forging
consensus on ways forward, and coordinating efforts to achieve internationally
agreed goals.

It is also responsible for the follow-up to major UN conferences and summits.

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the six principal organs of
the United Nations (UN), responsible for the direction and coordination of the
economic, social, humanitarian, and cultural activities carried out by the UN. It
is the UN’s largest and most complex subsidiary body.

ECOSOC was established by the UN Charter (1945), which was amended in

1965 and 1974 to increase the number of members from 18 to 54. ECOSOC
membership is based on geographic representation: 14 seats are allocated to
Africa, 11 to Asia, 6 to eastern Europe, 10 to Latin America and the Caribbean,
and 13 to western Europe and other areas. Members are elected for three-year
terms by the General Assembly. Four of the five permanent members of the
Security Council have been continuously reelected because they provide
funding for most of ECOSOC’s budget, which is the largest of any UN
subsidiary body. Decisions are taken by simple majority vote. The presidency of
ECOSOC changes annually.

The council was designed to be the UN’s main venue for the discussion of

international economic and social issues. ECOSOC conducts studies; formulates
resolutions, recommendations, and conventions for consideration by the General
Assembly; and coordinates the activities of various UN organizations. Most of
ECOSOC’s work is performed in functional commissions on topics such
as human rights, narcotics, population, social development, statistics, the status
of women, and science and technology; the council also oversees regional
commissions for Europe, Asia and the Pacific, Western Asia, Latin America,
and Africa. The UN charter allows ECOSOC to grant consultative status
to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Beginning in the mid-1990s,
measures were taken to increase the participation of such NGOs, and by the
early 21st century more than 2,500 NGOs had been granted consultative status.
2
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Economic-and-Social-Council

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Origin of ECOSOC

Article 73

There are established as principal organs of the United Nations: a General

Assembly, a Security Council, an Economic and Social Council, a Trusteeship
Council, an International Court of Justice and a Secretariat.

Such subsidiary organs as may be found necessary may be established in

accordance with the present Charter

It lays that it is a primary purpose of UN to achieve international cooperation in

solving international problems of an economic , social , cultural or humantarian
charcter .

Need to create ECOSOC

ARTICLE 55

With a view to the creation of conditions of stability and well-being which are
necessary for peaceful and friendly relations among nations based on respect for the
principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, the United Nations shall
promote:

higher standards of living, full employment, and conditions of economic and

social progress and development;

solutions of international economic, social, health, and related problems; and

international cultural and educational cooperation; and

universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental
freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.

 It lays that there is a goal to provide the social, economic , and cultural
justice to all over the world and for this achievement there is need of
cooperation of state.
 For creation of condition of stability and well being which are necessary
for peaceful and friendly relation among state
 For higher standard 0f living, full employment and economic and social
development .

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https://www.britannica.com/topic/Economic-and-Social-Council

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  For solution of international , economic and social , health and cultural
problems
 For international cultural and educational cooperation
 For observance of human rights and fundamental freedom for all without
distinction as to race ,sex , language , or religion

COMPOSITION4
Article 61

1. The Economic and Social Council shall consist of fifty-four Members of

the United Nations elected by the General Assembly.
2. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 3, eighteen members of the
Economic and Social Council shall be elected each year for a term of
three years. A retiring member shall be eligible for immediate re-election.
3. At the first election after the increase in the membership of the Economic
and Social Council from twenty-seven to fifty-four members, in addition
to the members elected in place of the nine members whose term of office
expires at the end of that year, twenty-seven additional members shall be
elected. Of these twenty-seven additional members, the term of office of
nine members so elected shall expire at the end of one year, and of nine
other members at the end of two years, in accordance with arrangements
made by the General Assembly.
4. Each member of the Economic and Social Council shall have one
representative.

4
https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/chapter-10

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VOTING POWER

Article 67

1. Each member of the Economic and Social Council shall have one vote.
2. Decisions of the Economic and Social Council shall be made by a
majority of the members present and voting.

PROCEDURE
Article 68

The Economic and Social Council shall set up commissions in economic and social
fields and for the promotion of human rights, and such other commissions as may
be required for the performance of its functions.

Article 69

The Economic and Social Council shall invite any Member of the United Nations to
participate, without vote, in its deliberations on any matter of particular concern to
that Member.

FUNCTIONS AND POWERS5

Article 62

1. The Economic and Social Council 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.
2. It may make recommendations for the purpose of promoting respect for,
and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
3. It may prepare draft conventions for submission to the General Assembly,
with respect to matters falling within its competence.
4. It may call, in accordance with the rules prescribed by the United
Nations, international conferences on matters falling within its
competence.

5
https://library.fiu.edu/c.php?g=160201&p=1047174#:~:text=Functions%20and%20powers%20of
%20ECOSOC,and%20economic%20and%20social%20progress

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Article 64

1. The Economic and Social Council may take appropriate steps to obtain
regular reports from the specialized agencies. It may make arrangements
with the Members of the United Nations and with the specialized
agencies to obtain reports on the steps taken to give effect to its own
recommendations and to recommendations on matters falling within its
competence made by the General Assembly.
2. It may communicate its observations on these reports to the General
Assembly.

Article 65

The Economic and Social Council may furnish information to the Security Council
and shall assist the Security Council upon its request.

Article 66

1. The Economic and Social Council shall perform such functions as fall
within its competence in connection with the carrying out of the
recommendations of the General Assembly.
2. It may, with the approval of the General Assembly, perform services at
the request of Members of the United Nations and at the request of
specialized agencies.
3. It shall perform such other functions as are specified elsewhere in the
present Charter or as may be assigned to it by the General Assembly.

 EASCO performs concrete task in the field of international economic and

social cooperation and it performs its function under the guidance of
general assembly .
1. Council may make or initiate study or report with respect to international
economic , social , cultural , educational , health and related matter.
2. Council may make recommendation for purpose of promoting respect for
observance of human rights and fundamental freedom for all
3. Council may prepare draft convention for submission to general assembly
on any subject falling within its area.
4. Council may call international conferences on matters falling within its
competence .
5. Council may make arrangements with members of UN to attain reports
on steps taken to drive effect to its recommendations

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 6. Council ma furnish information to security council and assist it upon its
request .
7. Council may perform services with approval of general assembly at
request of members of UN and specialised agency
8. Council may setup commission in economic and social field and for the
promotion of human rights and such other commission as may be
required for the performance of its function.

Functional Commissions6

Typically, the Functional Commissions of ECOSOC meet formally on an

annual basis and focus their work on a multiyear plan to face issues that are
relevant to their sphere of activity. Members of the Commissions work hard to
negotiate consensus on the official hoped for solutions to problems the world
faces related to their sphere of work. During the annual meetings,
nongovernmental organizations affiliated with ECOSOC are invited to attend
the Functional Commissions, give input on topics the NGOs have special
knowledge of, lobby the delegations to the Commissions and sometimes hold
parallel events.

Following are the Functional Commissions:

 UN Commission for Social Development

 UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs
 UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
 UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD)
 UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)
 UN Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW)
 UN Commission on Population and Development
 UN Statistical Commission

Regional Commissions

The Regional Commissions meet within their specific region to deliberate on

problems and issues unique to the respective regions. This gives the Regional
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Commissions opportunities to bring forth knowledge, experience and realities,
seek solutions themselves but also communicate to ECOSOC and the
Functional Commissions regarding matters within the regions.

 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE)

 United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
 United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the
Caribbean (ECLAC)
 United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (ESCAP)
 United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
(ESCWA)

Specialized Agencies7

The Specialized Agencies are autonomous organizations working with the

United Nations and each other, inter alia through the coordinating machinery of
the Economic and Social Council.

 ILO - International Labour Organization

 FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization
 UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization
 WHO - World Health Organization
 World Bank Group
 IBRD - International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
 IDA - International Development Association
 IFC - International Finance Corporation
 MIGA - Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
 ICSID - International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
 IMF - International Monetary Fund
 ICAO - International Civil Aviation Organization
 IMO - International Maritime Organization
 ITU - International Telecommunication Union
 UPU - Universal Postal Union
 WMO - World Meteorological Organization
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  WIPO - World Intellectual Property Organization
 IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development
 UNICEF - United Nations Children Fund
 UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization
 UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
 IRO - International Refugee Organization (ceased to exist in 1952)
 INCB - International Narcotics Control Board

Other Entities

 United Nations Forum on Forests — Established in 2000 by ECOSOC

resolution with the objective of promoting management, conservation and
sustainable development of all types of forests as well as fortifying
political will to that end.[1]
 United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues — The forum, an
advisory group to ECOSOC first met in 2002. Its mandate is to discuss
indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture,
the environment, education, health and human rights.[2]
 Sessional and Standing Committees, Expert, ad hoc and related bodies.

Consultative Status

Beginning in 1946, nongovernmental organizations had an avenue to participate

in formal dialog with the Economic and Social Council by seeking consultative
status. Forty one NGOs received consultative status in 1946. The numbers of
NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC have steadily grown, numbering in
mid-2007, nearly three thousand. Applications for consultative status are
reviewed by the nineteen Member States of the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs.
The committee then forwards its recommendation to ECOSOC.

In order to be eligible for consultative status, the nongovernmental organization

must have been operating for at least two years and officially registered with
government authorities as a nonprofit and nongovernmental organization. Other
eligibility requirements include having an established headquarters, a
democratically adopted constitution, a representative structure, authority to

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speak for its members, mechanisms of accountability, and democratic and
transparent decision-making processes. The resources of the organization must
be derived mainly from its national affiliates or individuals (not from
government funding). International, regional, subregional or national
nongovernmental, nonprofit public or volunteer organizations are eligible to
form consultative relationships with ECOSOC.

The three categories of consultative status are general, special and roster. Large
international NGOs whose work embraces most of the ECOSOC agenda are
eligible for general consultative status. Women's Federation for World Peace
International has enjoyed general consultative status since 1997. Special
consultative status implies that the NGO focuses on a much narrower range of
issues in the ECOSOC agenda. International Interreligious Federation for World
Peace has special consultative status. NGOs with a narrower technical focus
who do not fit into the other categories are given roster status.

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in consultative status have the

opportunity to attend relevant UN conferences and meetings. NGOs with
general consultative status can offer written and oral interventions at the
meetings and recommend agenda items.

RELATIONSHIP OF ECOSOC WITH SPECIALISED AGENCY8

Article 63

1. The Economic and Social Council may enter into agreements with any of
the agencies referred to in Article 57, defining the terms on which the
agency concerned shall be brought into relationship with the United
Nations. Such agreements shall be subject to approval by the General
Assembly.
2. It may co-ordinate the activities of the specialized agencies through
consultation with and recommendations to such agencies and through
recommendations to the General Assembly and to the Members of the
United Nations.

Article 64

1. The Economic and Social Council may take appropriate steps to obtain
regular reports from the specialized agencies. It may make arrangements
with the Members of the United Nations and with the specialized
agencies to obtain reports on the steps taken to give effect to its own
8
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 recommendations and to recommendations on matters falling within its
competence made by the General Assembly.
2. It may communicate its observations on these reports to the General
Assembly.

 specialized agencies are the several inter governmental organisation

established to deal with specific international problems
 the council is empowered to perform certain function in relation to these
agency
 council may enter into agreements with these agency to being them into
relationship with UN.

The specialized agencies of the United Nations are autonomous organizations

working within the United Nations System, meaning that while they report
their activities to the Economic and Social Council, they are mostly free to
their own devices. Each agency must negotiate with the Council as to what
their relationship will look and work like. This leads to a system where
different organizations maintain different types of relationships with the
Council. Some were created before the United Nations existed and were
integrated into the system, others were created by the League of Nations and
were integrated by its successor, while others were created by the United
Nations itself to meet emerging needs.

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Conclusion
Governance of the multilateral system has historically been complex and
fragmented. This has limited the capacity of ECOSOC to influence international
policies in trade, finance, and investment. Reform proposals aim to enhance the
relevance and contribution of the council. A major reform was approved by
the 2005 World Summit based on proposals submitted by secretary-general Kofi
Annan.The Summit aimed to establish ECOSOC as a quality platform for high-
level engagement among member states and with international financial
institutions, the private sector, and civil society on global trends, policies, and
action. It resolved to hold biennial high-level Development Cooperation Forums
at the national-leadership level, transforming the high-level segment of the
Council to review trends in international development cooperation and promote
greater coherence in development activities. At the Summit it was also decided
to hold annual ministerial-level substantive reviews to assess progress in
achieving internationally agreed on development goals (particularly
the Millennium Development Goals). These "Annual Ministerial Reviews" will
be replaced by the High-Level Political Forum from 2016 onwards after the new
post-MDG/post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals are agreed.
Subsequent proposals by the High-Level Panel Report on System-Wide
Coherence in November 2006 aimed to establish a forum within the ECOSOC
as a counter-model to the exclusive clubs of the G8 and G20. The Forum was to
comprise 27 heads of states (L27, corresponding to half of ECOSOC's
membership) to meet annually and provide international leadership in the
development area. This proposal, however, was not approved by the General
Assembly.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY:

The researcher has consulted following sources to complete the final draft.

BOOKS

The Oxford Handbook on the United Nations (2nd edn)-   

by Thomas G. Weiss and Sam Daws

WEBSITES
 https://www.un.org/ecosoc/en/about-us
 https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/United_Nations_Economic_and
_Social_Council
 https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/chapter-10
 https://www.britannica.com/topic/Economic-and-Social-Council

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