Election of eighteen members of the Economic and Social Council
Background
In accordance with Article 61 of the Charter, as amended by an amendment dated 17 December 1963 (resolution 1991 B (XVIII)), which came into force on 31 August 1965, the General Assembly increased the membership of the Economic and Social Council from 18 to 27; by an amendment dated 20 December 1971 (resolution 2847(XXVI)), which came into force on 24 September 1973, the Assembly increased the membership of the Council to 54] the Economic and Social Council consists of 54 members elected for a term of three years. Under rule 145 of the rules of procedure, the General Assembly shall elect each year eighteen members of the Economic and Social Council. At its twenty-sixth session, in 1971, the General Assembly decided that the members of the Council should be elected according to the following pattern (resolution 2847 (XXVI)):
- Fourteen from African States;
- Eleven from Asian States;
- Ten from Latin American States;
- Thirteen from Western European and other States;
- Six from socialist States of Eastern Europe.
At its sixty-first session, the General Assembly elected 18 members of the Economic and Social Council and also elected Greece, New Zealand and Portugal to replace Turkey, Australia and Spain, respectively, which relinquished their seats (decision 61/404) [page 5]. At present, the Council is thus composed of the following 54 Member States
At its sixty-second session, the General Assembly will need to fill the seats being vacated by the following States: Albania, Brazil, Chad, China, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Guinea, Iceland, India, Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Africa, Thailand and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. As stipulated in rule 146 of the rules of procedure, a retiring member is eligible for immediate re-election.
In accordance with rule 92 of the rules of procedure, the election is held by secret ballot and there are no nominations. Under rule 83 of the rules of procedure, the members of the Economic and Social Council are elected by a two-thirds majority.
The names of the States which have served as members of the Economic and Social Council are listed in annex V.
References for the sixty-first session (agenda item 103 (b))
- Letter dated 7 June 2006 from the Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations addressed to the President of the General Assembly (A/61/89)
- Letter dated 21 August 2006 from the Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations addressed to the President of the General Assembly (A/61/296)
- Letter dated 2 November 2006 from the Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the General Assembly (A/61/557)
- Plenary meetings A/61/PV.45, 46 and 49
- Decision 61/404 [page 5]
