ECOSOC stands for “The Economic and Social Council”, which is one of the core organs of the UN System established by the UN Charter. 54 member countries participating in ECOSOC are elected by the General Assembly.
It provides an international discussion forum which focuses on economic and social affairs and formulating policy recommendations addressed to Member States and the United Nations system. In carrying out its mandate, ECOSOC consults with academics, business sector representatives and more than 3,200 registered non-governmental organisations.
The work for the Council is conducted with members of civil society throughout the year and a session is held annually in July, alternating between New York and Geneva. Its subsidiary bodies are established in order to solve different issues specifically, such as Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), Commission for Social Development (CSocD) and so on.
The United Nations Economic and Social Council as a principal forum for global dialogue and policy review on the effectiveness and coherence of international development cooperation, holds the Development Cooperation Forum (DCF) annually along with the session which welcomes all important figures around the world and enhances cooperation with both countries and NGOs.