Charter of the United Nations

 

CHAPTER VIII

REGIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

Article 52

1. Nothing in the present Charter precludes the existence of
regional arrangements or agencies for dealing with such matters
relating to the maintenance of international peace and security
as are appropriate for regional action, provided that such
arrangements or agencies and their activities are consistent with
the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations.
2. The Members of the United Nations entering into such
arrangements or constituting such agencies shall make every
effort to achieve pacific settlement of local disputes through
such regional arrangements or by such regional agencies before
referring them to the Security Council.
3. The Security Council shall encourage the development of
pacific settlement of local disputes through such regional
arrangements or by such regional agencies either on the
initiative of the states concerned or by reference from the
Security Council.
4. This Article in no way impairs the application of Articles 34
and 35.

Article 53

1. The Security Council shall, where appropriate, utilize such
regional arrangements or agencies for enforcement action under
its authority. But no enforcement action shall be taken under
regional arrangements or by regional agencies without the
authorization of the Security Council, with the exception of
measures against any enemy state, as defined in paragraph 2 of
this Article, provided for pursuant to Article 107 or in regional
arrangements directed against renewal of aggressive policy on the
part of any such state, until such time as the Organization may,
on request of the Governments concerned, be charged with the
responsibility for preventing further aggression by such a state.
2. The term enemy state as used in paragraph 1 of this Article
applies to any state which during the Second World War has been
an enemy of any signatory of the present Charter.

Article 54

The Security Council shall at all times be kept fully informed of
activities undertaken or in contemplation under regional
arrangements or by regional agencies for the maintenance of
international peace and security.

CHAPTER IX

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CO-OPERATION

Article 55

With a view to the creation of conditions of stability and
well-being which are necessary for peaceful and friendly
relations among nations based on respect for the principle of
equal rights and self-determination of peoples, the United
Nations shall promote:
a. higher standards of living, full employment, and conditions
of economic and social progress and development;
b. solutions of international economic, social, health, and
related problems; and international cultural and educational
co-operation; and
c. universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and
fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race,
sex, language, or religion.

Article 56

All Members pledge themselves to take joint and separate action
in cooperation with the Organization for the achievement of the
purposes set forth in Article 55.

Article 57
1. The various specialized agencies, established by
intergovernmental agreement and having wide international
responsibilities, as defined in their basic instruments, in
economic, social, cultural, educational, health, and related
fields, shall be brought into relationship with the United
Nations in accordance with the provisions of Article 63.
2. Such agencies thus brought into relationship with the United
Nations are hereinafter referred to as specialized agencies.

Article 58

The Organization shall make recommendations for the coordination
of the policies and activities of the specialized agencies.

Article 59

The Organization shall, where appropriate, initiate negotiations
among the states concerned for the creation of any new
specialized agencies required for the accomplishment of the
purposes set forth in Article 55.

Article 60

Responsibility for the discharge of the functions of the
Organization set forth in this Chapter shall be vested in the
General Assembly and, under the authority of the General
Assembly, in the Economic and Social Council, which shall have
for this purpose the powers set forth in Chapter X.

CHAPTER X

THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

Composition

Article 61

1. The Economic and Social Council shall consist of fifty-four
Members of the United Nations elected by the General Assembly.
2. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 3, eighteen members of
the Economic and Social Council shall be elected each year for a
term of three years. A retiring member shall be eligible for
immediate re-election.
3. At the first election after the increase in the membership of
the Economic and Social Council from twenty-seven to fifty-four
members, in addition to the members elected in place of the nine
members whose term of office expires at the end of that year,
twenty-seven additional members shall be elected. Of these
twenty-seven additional members, the term of office of nine
members so elected shall expire at the end of one year, and of
nine other members at the end of two years, in accordance with
arrangements made by the General Assembly.
4. Each member of the Economic and Social Council shall have one
representative.

Functions and Powers

Article 62

1. The Economic and Social Council may make or initiate studies
and reports with respect to international economic, social,
cultural, educational, health, and related matters and may make
recommendations with respect to any such matters to the General
Assembly, to the Members of the United Nations, and to the
specialized agencies concerned.
2. It may make recommendations for the purpose of promoting
respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental
freedoms for all.
3. It may prepare draft conventions for submission to the General
Assembly, with respect to matters falling within its competence.
4. It may call, in accordance with the rules prescribed by the
United Nations, international conferences on matters falling
within its competence.

Article 63

1. The Economic and Social Council may enter into agreements with
any of the agencies referred to in Article 57, defining the terms
on which the agency concerned shall be brought into relationship
with the United Nations. Such agreements shall be subject to
approval by the General Assembly.
2. It may coordinate the activities of the specialized agencies
through consultation with and recommendations to such agencies
and through recommendations to the General Assembly and to the
Members of the United Nations.

Article 64

1. The Economic and Social Council may take appropriate steps to
obtain regular reports from the specialized agencies. It may make
arrangements with the Members of the United Nations and with the
specialized agencies to obtain reports on the steps taken to give
effect to its own recommendations and to recommendations on
matters falling within its competence made by the General
Assembly.
2. It may communicate its observations on these reports to the
General Assembly .

Article 65

The Economic and Social Council may furnish information to the
Security Council and shall assist the Security Council upon its
request.

Article 66

1. The Economic and Social Council shall perform such functions
as fall within its competence in connection with the carrying out
of the recommendations of the General Assembly.
2. It may, with the approval of the General Assembly, perform
services at the request of Members of the United Nations and at
the request of specialized agencies.
3. It shall perform such other functions as are specified
elsewhere in the present Charter or as may be assigned to it by
the General Assembly.

Article 67

1. Each member of the Economic and Social Council shall have one
vote.
2. Decisions of the Economic and Social Council shall be made by
a majority of the members present and voting.

Procedure

Article 68

The Economic and Social Council shall set up commissions in
economic and social fields and for the promotion of human rights,
and such other commissions as may be required for the performance
of its functions.

Article 69

The Economic and Social Council shall invite any Member of the
United Nations to participate, without vote, in its deliberations
on any matter of particular concern to that Member.

Article 70

The Economic and Social Council may make arrangements for
representatives of the specialized agencies to participate,
without vote, in its deliberations and in those of the
commissions established by it, and for its representatives to
participate in the deliberations of the specialized agencies.

Article 71

The Economic and Social Council may make suitable arrangements
for consultation with non-governmental organizations which are
concerned with matters within its competence. Such arrangements
may be made with International Organizations and, where
appropriate, with national organizations after consultation with
the Member of the United Nations concerned.

Article 72

1. The Economic and Social Council shall adopt its own rules of
procedure, including the method of selecting its President.
2. The Economic and Social Council shall meet as required in
accordance with its rules, which shall include provision for the
convening of meetings on the request of a majority of its
members.

 

Author: international

Mentioned in these Entries

Charter of the United Nations, International Organizations.