10.1. The system of United Nations Organization

The United Nations Organization (UNO) is the first regulation mechanism of comprehensive cooperation of states in the history of humanity. It is based on a voluntary union of sovereign nations at a conference in San Francisco (USA), that was held in April-June 1945. The UN Charter officially came into existence on 24 October. The main objectives of the UN:

• support of international peace and security;

• the development of friendly relations between the countries;

• organization of cooperation between counties to solve economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems;

• performing the functions of the central body to coordinate efforts of countries in listed areas of cooperation.

The organization has such principal organs:

• the Secretariat;

• The General Assembly;

• the Security Council.

In the UN operates:

• The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), that is responsible for economic, social and cultural aspects of UN policy;

• The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), that regulates solving the problems connected with relations between developing countries and industrial-developed countries;

• The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), also called the Law of the Sea Convention or the Law of the Sea treaty, that defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world's oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources.

The United Nations Organization created a number of specialized institutions to influence on the world economy:

• International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)

• International Labour Organization (ILO)

• International Monetary Fund (IMF)

• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and some others.

10.2. Economic and Social Council

The Economic and Social Council - ECOSOC plays a special role in the institutional structure of the UN. The ECOSOC serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues of global intersectoral character, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to Member States and the United Nations system.

ECOSOC studies and prepares reports on a wide range of international economic, social, cultural issues, coordinates the activities of relevant agencies and institutions of the UN. It is authorized to negotiate with the specialized agencies, to coordinate their activities, to consult with relevant non-governmental organizations, to provide services approved by the General Assembly, members of the UN. ECOSOC examines and discusses such issues as:

• world economic and social survey;

• status and trends in international trade;

• economic and technical assistance to developing countries;

• problems of regional cooperation;

• protection of environment;

• issues of population, natural resources, food, settlements;

• planning and mobilization of financial resources.

In the UN system within the ECOSOC the permanent and functional commissions and committees function, that were created due to ECOSOC decision:

• UN Commission on Transnational Corporations;

• A special unit within the UN Secretariat - United Nations Centre on Transnational Corporations;

• UN Statistical Commission;

• UN Committee on Negotiations with Intergovernmental Agencies;

• UN Commission for Social Development;

• UN Commission on Human Rights.

All of them are united under the common notion – Subsidiary bodies of ECOSOC, and they are the only rules of procedure. In the system ECOSOC there are created a network of experts and advisory bodies, that research the development of international economic relations, prepare reports and develop recommendations (for the Security Council and the General Assembly).

Regional economic commissions, that operate under the auspices of ECOSOC influence greatly on the global and regional economic integration processes:

• Economic Commission for Europe - ECE, established in 1947, with headquarters in Geneva; promotes the development and strengthening economic relations between Member States, between them and other states, provide a policy of sustainable development, strengthening international cooperation; ECE activity has a transboundary, global character.

• Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific - ESKATO, founded in 1947, with headquarters in Bangkok (Thailand); promotes economic development and social progress in the region; ESKATO activity is related to the problems of inter-regional trade and investment, privatization and entrepreneurship; takes a proactive stand concerning strengthening regional cooperation;

• Economic Commission for Africa - ECA, established in 1958, with headquarters in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia); ECA is a key element in determining of common African economic strategy and the integration of continental states, and in developing and implementing programs to aid Africa; strategic areas of ECA activity are reflected in the general program of economic development of African countries for 80-90's, known as Monrovska strategy of Africa economic development;

• Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean - EKLAC, established in 1948, headquartered in Santiago de Chile; member-states of this committee are also representatives of seven industrialized nations – Great Britain, Spain, Canada, Netherlands, Portugal , USA and France; the main objectives of activity: promoting economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean, raising the level of economic activity and strengthening relations between countries in the region and between them and third countries. EKLAC interacts with the governments of the regional states concerning researching and analysis of regional and national economic problems and assist in the elaboration of development plans;

• Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia - ESCA, established in 1973, with headquarters in Baghdad; promotes determination of policy and areas of activity, to support the development and deepening of economic cooperation and integration in West Asia.

The above commissions constantly study the economic and technological problems of the world regions, regional integration processes, projects and develop appropriate projects and recommendations.