The Economic and Social Council, under the authority of the General Assembly, coordinates the economic and social work of the UN and the specialized agencies institutions. The council makes recommendation and initiates activities relating to development world trade, natural resource, human rights, population, social welfare, science and technology, and many other economic and social question.
The council has 54 members. One-third of its members are elected each year by the General Assembly for a 3-year term of office. Voting in the Economic and Social Council is by simple majority; each member has one vote. The council meets usually twice a year.