17 States Elected into UN Economic and Social Council

17 countries have been elected to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It is the coordinating body for the economic and social activities of UN organizations and funds and has a three-year term.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, the states were elected by secret ballot on Friday, and two-thirds of the member states attended and voted at the UN General Assembly.

Of the 17 countries, Botswana, China, Colombia, Denmark, Greece, New Zealand, and South Korea were re-elected. Liechtenstein was elected for a one-year term from January 1, 2023, in a rotation by-election within groups in Western Europe and other states. The country will replace Austria.

After the vote on Friday, the Eastern European Group has one seat for three years from January 1, 2023, like other candidates, with the exception of Slovakia and Slovenia, failed to secure a two-thirds majority in six votes. 

ECOSOC has 54 members and these members are elected by the General Assembly each year for a three-year overlapping term. The council's seats are allocated based on geographic representation, 14 seats in African countries, 11 seats in the Asia-Pacific, 6 seats in Eastern European countries, 10 seats in Latin America and Caribbean countries, and 13 seats in Western Europe and other states.