ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

(ECOSOC) one of the principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for the direction and coordination of the economic, social, humanitarian, and cultural activities carried out by the specialized agencies of the UN. The council was established by the UN charter, which was amended in 1965 to increase the membership of the council (which is elected by the UN General Assembly) from 18 to 27. In 1974 membership was further increased to 54.