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Reference.org
United Nations Economic and Social Council
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<p>The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of <a href="/facts/United_Nations_System/wFmwSkcd">six principal organs</a> of the <a href="/facts/United_Nations/fgXLnmgT">United Nations</a>, responsible for coordinating the economic and social fields of the organization, specifically in regards to the <a href="/facts/List_of_specialized_agencies_of_the_United_Nations/3E6gkQqp">fifteen specialized agencies</a>, the eight functional commissions, and the five regional commissions under its jurisdiction. </p><p>ECOSOC serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues, and formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states and the United Nations System. It has 54 members. In addition to a rotating membership of 54 UN member states, <a href="/facts/List_of_organizations_with_consultative_status_to_the_United_Nations_Economic_and_Social_Council/fcVIjC22">over 1,600 nongovernmental organizations</a> have <a href="/facts/Consultative_status/bSGwKIFY">consultative status</a> with the Council to participate in the work of the United Nations. </p><p>ECOSOC holds one four-week session each year in July, and since 1998 has also held an annual meeting in April with finance ministers of heading key committees of the <a href="/facts/World_Bank_Group/9z4A2PDl">World Bank</a> and the <a href="/facts/International_Monetary_Fund/tPSTWWS4">International Monetary Fund</a> (IMF). Additionally, the <a href="/facts/High-level_Political_Forum_on_Sustainable_Development/oH79bCCo">High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development</a> (HLPF), which reviews the implementation of the <a href="/facts/2030_Agenda_for_Sustainable_Development/b7lVYvFN">2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development</a>, is convened under the auspices of the Council every July. </p><p>The members of ECOSOC are responsible for electing the executive board of <a href="/facts/UNICEF/otY1rTdl">UNICEF</a>, the council of the <a href="/facts/United_Nations_Development_Programme/y3gpXUHD">United Nations Development Programme</a>, the committee of <a href="/facts/UNHCR/n02xPguc">UNHCR</a>, and various commissions and other bodies under its jurisdiction. ECOSOC is also responsible for tasks such as reviewing and updating the UN list of <a href="/facts/Least_developed_countries/8Ss2N44w">least developed countries</a>. </p>