United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific  (ESCAP)

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific  (ESCAP) (till 1974 – the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, EKADV) is created by the solution of the 4th session of Economic and Social Council of the UN on March 28, 1947. ESCAP - the universal organization of multilateral cooperation on structure of member states in the Pacific Rim designed to promote social and economic development of the countries of Asia and the Pacific Ocean, subregional, regional and interregional cooperation.

The largest of the regional commissions of the UN (3.8 billion people - about 60 percent of the population of the planet live in the region of ESCAP). Members of ESCAP (with the right of a casting vote) are 53 countries, including the Russian Federation and seven CIS countries (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan). Four states – Great Britain, the Netherlands, the USA and France – are 'not regional members'. Nine countries and the territories of the Pacific Rim which did not reach the level of political independence are a part of the Commission as the associated members with advisory capacity.