International Human Rights and the International Human Rights System A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions 5. THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL55 The ECOSOC is the principal organ responsible for the UN’s development work. It promotes economic and social development, including: • higher standards of living, full employment, and conditions of economic and social development • solutions to international economic, social, health and related problems and cultural and educational cooperation • universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinctions as to race, sex, language or religion. It undertakes these responsibilities through studies; negotiating international instruments and agreements; making recommendations to the GA; and sponsoring forums for discussion and debate. It also establishes specialized commissions in the economic and social field, such as the Commission on the Status of Women. The former principal UN specialized body on human rights, the Commission on Human Rights, was established by the ECOSOC and reported to the ECOSOC. It was abolished in 2006 and replaced by the HRC, directly under and responsible to the GA. The ECOSOC has 54 members, elected by the GA for three-year terms. It makes decisions by a simple majority of votes. Under the UN Charter, the ECOSOC is responsible for the UN’s collaboration with civil society, including NGOs. The ECOSOC grants accreditation to NGOs and supervises their involvement with the UN system through an ECOSOC committee on NGOs. However, NGOs do not have participation or speaking rights at ECOSOC meetings. A general view of a high-level segment of the Economic and Social Council at the United Nation’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. UN Photo by Jean-Marc Ferré. 55 For information about the ECOSOC, including its membership, elections, agendas for meetings and resolutions, see: www. un.org/en/ecosoc. Chapter 4: The United Nations charter-based system: An overview | 25