ECOSOC documentation

The ECOSOC agenda is issued as two separate versions - one for the organizational session in New York and the other for the substantive session in July, altering between New York and Geneva.

Find the ECOSOC agenda

The two versions of the agenda carry the following documents symbols:

• Agenda and Programmes of Work from 2000- at the ECOSOC website or through the UN databases.
• Additional information on the ECOSOC Agenda and Programmes of Work in the research guide of Dag Hammarskjöld library (New York).

ECOSOC holds short sessions, meetings and discussions throughout the year to prepare for its substantive session. The four-week substantive session is held each July in alternative years in New York and Geneva.

The annual substantive session includes a high-level segment attended by Ministers and other high officials to discuss major economic, social and humanitarian issues. ECOSOC adopts a declaration from this meeting with policy guidance and recommendations for action. ECOSOC also deals with issues such as

• coordination between the UN bodies
• UN development cooperation activities
• other matters dealt with by its subsidiary bodies.

The year-around work of ECOSOC is carried out by its subsidiary organs - functional and regional commissions and standing committees and expert bodies. They meet regularly and report to the Council.

Find session reports

Sessional documents from ECOSOC carry the following symbols:

NB! ECOSOC documents do not include session numbers. For documents prior to 1978, the year was excluded.

• Recent session documents are posted at the ECOSOC website.
• An important part of the documents are the annual reports of the commissions and committees.

Statements made during UN meetings may be issued as documents called meeting records. Meeting records from the plenary meetings of the ECOSOC are issued as summary records in the form of a third-person condensed version.

Find meeting records

The meeting records carry the following symbols:

The meeting records prior to 1978 have only a sequential number and are issued as, for example, E/SR.2021 Economic and Social Council, summary records, meeting no 2021.

• The meeting records in print for the period 1946-1992 are not always available online. From 1993 onwards they can be accessed electronically through the UN databases.
• On the ECOSOC website there are:
  • Meetings and Events of ECOSOC and its Subsidiary Bodies.
  • Full text documents from ECOSOC.
• The press releases with the symbol ECOSOC/- is an alternative source of information.
• Research guides from the UN Dag Hammarskjöld Library (New York):
  • How to Find United Nations Meeting Records.
  • UN Documentation Research Guide : ECOSOC Meeting Records.

The resolutions are formal expressions of the opinion of the ECOSOC. They have only advisory status and are often passed on to the General Assembly for further actions.

For some of the actions the term "decisions" is used. The decisions deal with routine matters such as appointments and elections.

Voting in the ECOSOC is by simple majority. Each member state has one vote.

Find ECOSOC resolutions

ECOSOC resolutions carry the following symbols:

Resolutions from 1978 onwards

Before 1978 these documents are numbered consecutively through the years. A roman numeral within parentheses indicates the session number.

• ECOSOC resolutions are issued as no 1 in the series Supplements to the Official Records of the Economic and Social Council.
• Resolutions from the committees, commissions and other subsidiary bodies are published in their annual reports submitted to ECOSOC. These reports are issued as Supplements to the Official Records of the Economic and Social Council.
• For more information about ECOSOC resolutions, see United Nations Documentation: Research Guide. Economic and Social Council Resolutions/Decisions.

ECOSOC submits a report yearly to the General Assembly for approval. It is a survey of the organization and activities of the ECOSOC, with references to the documents issued.

Find annual reports

• The Annual Reports of the Economic and Social Council are published as no. 3 in the series Supplements to the Official Records to the General Assembly.
• The Annual Reports for recent years are posted at ECOSOC Reports to the General Assembly.
• Additional information about the annual reports in the research guide by Dag Hammarskjöld Library (New York).

Press releases from the United Nations are published daily, providing fast availability and valuable information about UN actions and decisions.

Press releases are the first unofficial source for the media. The official record is contained in the UN documents.

Find news and press releases

• ECOSOC publishes news on the website of the body.
• ECOSOC Meeting coverage and press releases.

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