UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD)

07 Dec 2023 UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD)

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “ UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD)”. This topic has relevance in the Social Justice section of the UPSC CSE exam.

GS 2: Social Justice

Why in the news?

The Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations recently led an informative member-state briefing in anticipation of the 62nd session of the UN Commission for Social Development.

• Background:
  • Established since the inception of the United Nations, CSocD is a functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
  • Originally known as the Social Commission, it advises ECOSOC and governments on a broad spectrum of social policy issues.
• Purpose:
  • Primary goal: Advance social development and formulate policies to address global social issues.
  • Focus areas: Poverty eradication, social inclusion, and promotion of equitable and sustainable development.
  • Key responsibility since 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen: Follow-up and implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action.
• Membership:
  • Started with 18 members, now has 46.
  • Members elected by ECOSOC for four-year terms based on equitable geographical distribution.
• Meetings:

• • Annual meetings at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, usually held in February.
  • Forums for member states, international organizations, and civil society representatives to discuss and address social development issues.

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):

• Background:
  • One of the six principal organs of the UN, established by the UN Charter in 1945.
  • Responsible for directing and coordinating economic, social, humanitarian, and cultural activities of the UN.
• Membership:
  • Consists of 54 members elected for three-year terms by the General Assembly.
  • Continuous re-election of four of the five permanent Security Council members due to significant funding contributions to ECOSOC’s budget, the largest among UN subsidiary bodies.
• Functions:
  • Coordinates economic and social fields within the UN, overseeing 15 specialized agencies, five regional commissions, and eight functional commissions.
  • Central forum for discussions on international social and economic issues, formulating policy recommendations for member states and the UN system.
• Decision-Making:

• • Decisions made by a simple majority vote.
  • Annual presidency rotation.

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Q.1 With reference to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), consider the following statements:

1. ECOSOC is one of the six principal organs of the UN, established by the UN Charter in 1945.
2. The decision-making process in ECOSOC involves annual presidency rotation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWER: C

Q.2 Analyze the significance of India’s engagement with the UN in promoting its national interests and advancing a multipolar world order.

rishabh