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Some of the questions (for example, Greece and Palestine) on which New Zealand took a position are recorded in more detail elsewhere in this report. 3. The Economic and Social Council (a) 'Economic and Social Council Under the Charter of the United Nations the Economic and Social Council has responsibility, under the authority of the General Assembly, for promoting—{a) Higher standards of living, full employment and conditions of economic and social progress and development; (b) Solution of international economic, social, health, and related problems; and international cultural and educational co-operation; and (c) Universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedom for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion. New Zealand's three year term as a member of the Council commenced on 1 January, 1947. The proceedings of the fourth session (February-March, 1947), the first following New Zealand's appointment, are covered in the last annual report. The fifth session was held in. July-August, 1947, and the sixth in February-March, 1948. To assist it in discharging its many responsibilities in the economic and social field, the Council has established nine functional commissions, dealing respectively with Narcotics, Human Rights, Economic and Employment Matters, Transport and Communications, Social Matters, Statistics, Population, Fiscal Matters, and the Status of Women. These commissions, to which selected Governments appoint persons expert in the particular fields, are advisory to the Council and make detailed recommendations to the Council within their terms of reference. Consideration of the reports of these Commissions forms an important feature of the work of the Council. The Council has also established certain regional Economic Commissions. The work of the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) is covered in a separate note later. The Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), established in March, 1947, held its first session in Geneva in May of that year. Its organization reflects the highly-industrialized and closely interdependent character of the European economy, and also the fact that it has concentrated on essential practical problems. It has set up a series of committees, dealing with electric power, inland transport, coal and other questions, and, in many cases, sub-committees have