Eighty Years of ECOSOC at the Core of Global Development

A wide view of an ECOSOC meeting on building and sustaining peace in Haiti.

From humanitarian crises and youth unemployment to climate resilience and development financing, many of today’s global challenges pass through a single United Nations body that is quietly turning 80 this year.

Established in 1945 under the UN Charter, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) was designed to ensure that peace and security would be backed by economic stability, social progress and international cooperation.

Eight decades after its first meeting in London in early 1946, ECOSOC remains a central—if often working out of the spotlight—engine of the UN’s work on sustainable development.

A wide remit by design

ECOSOC is the primary forum within the United Nations for policy dialogue on global economic, social and environmental issues, bringing together Member States, UN specialised agencies and other partners to debate priorities, share evidence and agree on collective action.

Its mandate includes coordinating the work of regional economic and social commissions, functional commissions, expert bodies, and UN funds and programmes, which deliver development assistance and policy guidance that affect people’s daily lives.

For those unfamiliar with the UN system, what sets ECOSOC apart is its practical reach. It helps guide how the UN responds to disasters, supports countries recovering from crises, and aligns international efforts to reduce poverty, create jobs and protect the environment.

ECOSOC is also responsible for following up on major UN conferences and summits, helping to ensure that high-level commitments do not fade once news cycles move on.

ECOSOC at 80: A milestone for global cooperation and sustainable development
ECOSOC 2026 session at a glance

President: Lok Bahadur Thapa (Nepal)

Elected on 31 July 2025, he became the first representative of Nepal—a least developed and landlocked developing country—to serve as ECOSOC President.

Presidency priorities: “Delivering better”

Transforming agriculture and food systems to strengthen resilience and help end hunger

Digital entrepreneurship and youth engagement, harnessing the potential of youth populations

Climate action and resilience, with a specific focus on risks linked to glacial lakes and flooding

Reforming the international financial architecture to make it more inclusive and responsive

Using ECOSOC’s 80th anniversary to reflect on its role and future relevance

Evolving with a changing world

Over time, ECOSOC has evolved to meet a changing global landscape. Its membership has expanded from 18 countries at its founding to 54 today, with Member States elected by the General Assembly to overlapping three-year terms that ensure geographical balance.

General Assembly reforms over the past decade have reinforced ECOSOC’s coordinating role within the UN system, sharpening its ability to identify emerging issues, promote innovation, and integrate the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.

Implementing the SDGs

A key focus of ECOSOC’s current cycle is the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN’s global blueprint to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all.

ECOSOC provides political guidance and oversight for this agenda through its annual programme of work, bringing ministers, senior officials, civil society leaders, academics and private sector representatives together around shared priorities.

At the heart of this work is the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), convened annually under ECOSOC’s auspices. The HLPF reviews progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including voluntary national reviews in which governments take stock of achievements and challenges.

Seldom in the headlines

Unlike other main bodies of the United Nations, such as the General Assembly and the Security Council, ECOSOC’s meetings seldom make headlines, but they reflect the complexity of modern global governance.

The humanitarian affairs segment brings together governments and partners each year to strengthen coordination in response to protracted and costly crises.

Other segments—including operational activities, coordination and management—guide the work of UN development agencies, review expert recommendations on issues ranging from public health to geospatial information, and address country-specific or regional concerns requiring focused attention.

A bridge for civil society

ECOSOC also acts as a bridge between the UN and the wider world.

More than 3,200 non-governmental organisations hold consultative status with ECOSOC, giving them a formal channel to contribute expertise and on-the-ground perspectives to debates and decisions. Dedicated forums for youth, scientists, development partners and other stakeholders reflect a recognition that global problems require inclusive solutions extending beyond governments alone.

80 years old, but as vital as ever

As ECOSOC marks its 80th anniversary on 23 January 2026, its core mission remains unchanged: to foster cooperation in pursuit of shared economic and social progress.

In a world facing intersecting crises—from climate change and inequality to humanitarian emergencies—the Council’s quiet work of coordination and consensus-building continues to shape how the international community responds, underscoring why it still matters to people far beyond UN conference rooms.