The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is a UN body mandated to oversee all economic and social activities of the UN’s specialized agencies and commissions.  It serves as a forum for discussion of international economic and social issues and fosters cooperation among member states to promote development.  Its primary objectives are to promote economic and social progress, identify solutions to key development problems, and encourage respect for human rights. 

ECOSOC accomplishes its mandate through information gathering, including commissioning reports and studies; organizing major international conferences to facilitate cooperation; and formulating policy recommendations addressed to the UN System and individual Member States.  ECOSOC relies on consultations with academics, business sector representatives and NGOs to inform its work. 

The Economic and Social Council is composed of 54 members and meets for a four-week session each year.  At its substantive session in July 2007, ECOSOC granted IIUD Special Consultative Status as an NGO with special competence in several fields of activity covered by ECOSOC and whose work is directly relevant to the aims of the UN.  The Special Consultative Status designation allows IIUD to take a role in formal UN deliberations, attend relevant international conferences and preparatory meetings organized by the UN, present written statements to the Council, and speak at meetings of its subsidiary bodies.

IIUD has designated several representatives to attend ECOSOC conferences and high-level sessions and has been pleased to act as an organizing partner for a recent conference.