UNITED NATIONS Economic and Social Council
COL (Ret.) Robert J. Bateman, GCTJ, GMTJ
OSMTH Chief of Mission U.N. Delegation, New York
 The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), founded 26 June 1945, is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for coordinating the economic and social fields of the organization, specifically in regards to the 15 specialized agencies, the eight functional commissions and the five regional commissions under its jurisdiction.
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. Of the estimated 10 million (Non-Governmental Organizations) NGOs worldwide only 4045 enjoy Consultative Status with ECOSOC to participate in the work of the United Nations.
ECOSOC holds one four-week session each year in July, and since 1998 has also held an annual meeting in April.
Basic Facts about ECOSOC Status
- Consultative status provides NGOs with access to not only ECOSOC, but also to its many subsidiary bodies, to the various human rights mechanisms of the United Nations, ad-hoc processes, as well as special events organized by the President of the General Assembly.
- ECOSOC accreditation is separate and distinct from NGOs who are associated the Department of Global Communications (DGC), formerly the Department of Public Information (DPI). These organizations generally have far fewer privileges to participate in intergovernmental meetings of the United Nations.
- There are three types of Consultative Status: General, Special and Roster.
- General and Special Status NGOs are required to submit a ‘quadrennial report’ every four years.
(OSMTH is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC)
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