What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it.
The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is a principal organ of the UN responsible for coordinating economic, social, and related work across various UN agencies, functional commissions, and regional commissions. Its main functions include:
- Promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress
- Identifying solutions to international economic, social, and health problems
- Facilitating international cultural and educational cooperation
- Encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
ECOSOC has several functional commissions attached to it, including:
- Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND): Addresses drug control and prevention, focusing on international cooperation and policy development.
- Commission on Population and Development (CPD): Studies population issues and trends, providing policy recommendations to promote sustainable development.
- Commission for Social Development (CSocD): Focuses on social development issues, such as poverty eradication, employment, and social integration.
- Commission on the Status of Women (CSW): Promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women, formulating policies and global standards.
- Statistical Commission: Develops statistical standards and guidelines for data collection, analysis, and dissemination.
- Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ): Addresses crime prevention and criminal justice issues, promoting international cooperation and policy development.
- Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD): Provides policy advice on science, technology, and innovation for sustainable development.
- United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF): Promotes sustainable forest management and conservation, addressing related social, economic, and environmental issues.
India has been elected to four key ECOSOC bodies, including the Commission on Science and Technology for Development. These functional commissions play a crucial role in addressing global challenges and formulating policy recommendations for sustainable development.
![The Supreme Court has banned mining in the Aravalli Hills to stop degradation the forest cover and to maintain ecological balance. However, the stone mining to still prevalent in the border district of the affected State with connivance of certain corrupt forest officials and politicians. Young and dynamic SP who was recently posted in the affected district promised to himself to stop this menace. In one of his surprise checks with his team, he found loaded truck with stone trying to escape the mining area. He tried to stop the truck but the truck driver overrun the police officer, killing him on the spot and thereafter managed to flee. Police filed FIR but no breakthrough was achieved in the case for almost three months. Ashok who was the Investigative Journalist working with leading TV channel, suo moto started investigating the case. Within one month, Ashok got breakthrough by interacting with local people, stone mining masia and government officials. He prepared his investigative story and presented to the CMD of the TV channel. He exposed in his investigative report the complete nexus of stone mafia working with blessing of corrupt police and civil officials and politicians. The politician who was involved in the mafia was no one else but local MLA who was considered to be very close to the Chief Minister. After going through the investigative report, the CMD advised Ashok to drop the idea of making the story public through electronic media. He informed that the local MLA was not only the relative of the owner of the TV channel but also had unofficially 20 percent share in the channel. The CMD further informed Ashok that his further promotion and hike in pay will be taken care of in addition the soft loan of 10 lakhs which he has taken from the TV channel for his son’s chronic disease will be suitably adjusted if he hands over the investigative report to him. [2022]](https://www.iasexpress.net/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
