Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC)

Soroptimist International has General Consultative Status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is represented on the Board of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations (CONGO). The organisation has also been granted official relations with United Nations Specialised Agencies.

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) was established under the United Nations Charter as the principal organ to coordinate economic, social, and related work of the 14 UN specialised agencies, functional commissions and five regional commissions. The Council also receives reports from 11 UN funds and programmes. ECOSOC 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. 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 educational cooperation; and
• encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

It has the power to make or initiate studies and reports on these issues. It also has the power to assist the preparations and organisation of major international conferences in the economic and social and related fields and to facilitate a coordinated follow-up to these conferences. With its broad mandate the Council's purview extends to over 70% of the human and financial resources of the entire UN system.