Why in the News?
India has been elected to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the term 2026–2028.
About the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):
- Establishment: It is one of the 6 principal UN organs, created in 1945 under the UN Charter.
- Mandate: It coordinates the UN’s economic, social, humanitarian, and cultural work.
- Role: ECOSOC serves as the central platform for global policy dialogue, review, and development recommendations.
- Composition: ECOSOC has 54 member states, elected by the UN General Assembly for three-year terms.
- Decision-Making: Decisions are made by simple majority; no permanent members; presidency rotates annually.
- Functions and Powers:
- Coordination: Oversees 15 specialized agencies (e.g., WHO, ILO), 8 functional commissions, and 5 regional commissions.
- Promotion Areas: Focuses on living standards, employment, human rights, education, healthcare, and environmental protection.
- Engagement with NGOs: Grants consultative status to over 1,600 NGOs and organizes global conferences.
- UN Oversight: Supervises agencies such as UNICEF, UNDP, and UNHCR.
- Sessions and Meetings:
- Main Sessions: Held each July, along with an organizational session.
- Finance Dialogues: Hosts April meetings with finance ministers from the IMF and World Bank.
- SDG Monitoring: Organizes the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) to track progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Legal and Institutional Details:
- UN Charter Basis: Defined under Chapter X (Articles 61–72) of the Charter.
- Headquarters: Located in New York.
- Scope: ECOSOC is the largest and most complex UN body, shaping global development policy.
India and ECOSOC:
- Membership: India is serving its 18th term as a member, elected for the 2026–28 period.
- Subsidiary Roles: India has held positions in bodies like the UN Statistical Commission, Commission on Narcotic Drugs, and UNAIDS Board.
- Recent Milestone: India recently joined the UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics (UN-CEBD), highlighting its data expertise.
- Policy Priorities: India supports inclusive growth, SDG progress, and south-south cooperation through evidence-based multilateral leadership.
| [UPSC 2009] With reference to the United Nations, consider the following statements:
1. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of UN consists of 24 member States. 2. It is elected by a 2/3 majority of The General Assembly for a 3-year term. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only* (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
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