ECOSOC was established by the Charter of the United Nations as the main organization responsible for coordinating the economic, social and other relevant activities of the 14 UN specialized agencies, nine functional commissions and five regional commissions. The Council also receives reports from 11 UN funds and programmes. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues and making policy recommendations to Member States and the United Nations system. It is responsible for:

• promotion of higher living standards, full employment and economic and social progress;

• identifying ways to resolve international problems in the economic, social and health sectors;

• promotion of international cooperation in the field of culture and education;

• promotion of universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

ECOSOC is authorized to carry out or organize studies and draw up reports on these matters. It also has the mandate to assist in the preparation and organization of major international conferences on economic and social problems and related issues, and to promote agreed follow-up to such conferences. Under its broad mandate, the Council has more than 70 percent of the human and financial resources of the entire UN system at its disposal.

SPECIAL CONSULTATIVE STATUS

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), at its Substantive Session of July 2010, granted a Special consultative status to the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology.

The consultative status opens the doors to actively engage with the ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, as well as with United Nations Secretariat, programmes, funds and agencies.
The Consultative status is governed by the United Nations Charter and related resolutions of ECOSOC.