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Under the authority of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) coordinates the economic and social work of the UN. This includes promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and improved conditions of economic and social progress and development; solutions to 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. An ECOSOC reform programme is under way as part of broader UN reform efforts.
On issues within its mandate, ECOSOC makes or initiates studies and reports, and makes recommendations to the General Assembly, members of the UN and the specialised agencies concerned. ECOSOC prepares draft conventions for submission to the General Assembly and convenes international conferences when necessary. It hosts a number of functional commissions, which consider issues including sustainable development, the status of women, population issues and statistics. It also enters into agreements with specialised agencies and makes arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organisations.
The Council has 54 members, elected by the General Assembly for three-year terms. New Zealand has served on ECOSOC seven times, and is due to take up an agreed rotation on ECOSOC from 2007 to 2009.
ECOSOC supports five regional commissions that promote economic development and cooperation in their respective regions. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) is mandated to serve New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region.
