Economic Commission For Latin America (ECLA)

The Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA) -the Spanish acronym is CEPAL- was established by Economic and Social Council resolution 106(VI) of 25 February 1948 and began to function that same year. 

ECLAC includes 46 member States and 13 associate members which are various non-independent territories, associated island countries and a commonwealth in the Caribbean.

Candidates preparing for the upcoming IAS Exam must refer to the details mentioned about the objectives, functions and background of Economic Commission for Latin America. 

About Economic Commission for Latin America

• ECLAC, which is headquartered in Santiago, Chile, is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations
• It was founded for the purposes of contributing to the economic development of Latin America, coordinating actions directed towards this end, and reinforcing economic relationships among the countries and with the other nations of the world
• The promotion of the region’s social development was later included among its primary objectives. In June 1951 the Commission established the ECLAC subregional headquarters in Mexico City, which serves the needs of the Central American subregion, and in December 1966, the ECLAC subregional headquarters for the Caribbean was founded in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
• ECLAC maintains country offices in Buenos Aires, Brasilia, Montevideo and Bogotá, as well as a liaison office in Washington, D.C

Functions of Economic Commission for Latin America

• Provides substantive secretariat services and documentation for the Commission and its subsidiary bodies
• Undertakes studies, research and other support activities within the terms of reference of the Commission
• Promotes economic and social development through regional and subregional cooperation and integration
• Gathers, organizes, interprets and disseminates information and data relating to the economic and social development of the region
• Provides advisory services to Governments at their request and plans, organizes and executes programmes of technical cooperation
• Formulates and promotes development cooperation activities and projects of regional and subregional scope commensurate with the needs and priorities of the region and acts as an executing agency for such projects
• Organizes conferences and intergovernmental and expert group meetings and sponsors training workshops, symposia and seminars
• Assists in bringing a regional perspective to global problems and forums and introduces global concerns at the regional and subregional levels
• Coordinates ECLAC activities with those of the major departments and offices at United Nations Headquarters, specialized agencies and intergovernmental organizations with a view to avoiding duplication and ensuring complementarity in the exchange of information

ECLA – Organisational Structure & Members

The 33 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, together with several Asian, European and North American nations that have historical, economic and cultural ties with the region, comprise the 46 Member States of ECLAC. 

Given below is a list of Member states:

Given below is a list of Associate Member countries:

ECLA – Executive Secretaries

The table below mentions the names of Executive Secretaries of Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA):

Civil Services Exam aspirants can refer to the detailed UPSC Syllabus for the prelims and mains examination at the linked article.

Candidates can also get the best Preparation Strategy for Competitive Exams at the linked article. 

For any further information regarding the upcoming examinations, study material or preparation tips, aspirants can turn to BYJU’S for assistance.