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The functions and powers of the Economic and Social Council are stipulated in Chapter X of the Charter of the United Nations. The complete text of the UN Charter is accessible here.

The Council holds several short sessions and many preparatory meetings, round tables and panel discussions with the members of civil society throughout the year, to deal with the organization of its work. It holds a High-level, Coordination, Operational Activities, Humanitarian Affairs Segments and the Management Segment. At the High-level Segment, national cabinet ministers and chiefs of international agencies and other high officials discuss major economic, social and environmental policy issues. The High-level Political Forum provides political leadership, guidance and recommendations for sustainable development, and reviews progress in implementing sustainable development commitments. A Ministerial declaration is generally adopted on the theme of the High-level Segment and High-level Political Forum, which provides policy guidance and recommendations for action. The official languages of the Economic and Social Council are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. The year-round work of the Council is carried out in its subsidiary and related bodies.

ECOSOC has 54 member Governments which are elected for three-year terms by the General Assembly. Seats on the Council are allotted based on geographical representation with fourteen allocated to African States, eleven to Asian States, six to Eastern European States, ten to Latin American and Caribbean States, and thirteen to Western European and other States. The current membership is posted at the ECOSOC Members page.

The presidency changes every year at the ECOSOC’s first organizational session. Information about the current President, Paula Narváez (Chile) is posted at the ECOSOC President's page.

The Bureau of ECOSOC includes one Government from each of five world regions – Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, East Europe, and West Europe and the other developed countries. Each year, a representative from a different region is chosen to head the Council as its President. Information about the Bureau for the 2021 Cycle is posted.

From 1946 to 2023, the Economic and Social Council has elected 79 Presidents.

The rules of procedure are posted.

Information about subsidiary bodies (e. g., ECOSOC Functional Commissions, ECOSOC Regional Commissions, ECOSOC Standing Committees) is posted.

ECOSOC press releases and meetings coverage are available on the UN website.

The ECOSOC resolutions and decisions are posted. The ECOSOC reports are also posted. Other official documents could be found on the Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS).

Information on United Nations documents symbols is available.

The Council consults with civil society groups – including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, and is the main body that recommends consultative status to NGOs. Over 5,100 NGOs from around the world now enjoy consultative status with ECOSOC. The organizations are allowed to participate, present written contribution and make statements to the Council and its subsidiary bodies. Information about NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC is available.