Originally 11, the membership of the Committee has been increased a number of times; most recently, by General Assembly resolution 42/450 (1987) the membership of the Committee now stands at 34. In accordance with General Assembly resolution 42/318 (1987) and Economic and Social resolution 1987(94), members are elected by the General Assembly upon the nomination of the Council and on the basis of equitable geographical distribution as follows:

9 members from African States
7 members from Asian States
4 members from Eastern European States
7 members from Latin America & the Caribbean States
7 members from Western European & other States

The Committee for programme and Coordination meets for 6 weeks in plan years and for 4 weeks in budget years.