Series S-1937 - Regional Commissions Section

Records in S-1937 document the coordination between the Regional Commissions Section of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the United Nations regional economic commissions. The Regional Commissions Section served as the liaison between DESA and the United Nations regional economic commissions. The bulk of the records dates from 1963 to 1968 and documents the activities of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE), and Economic Commission for Europe (ECE). A small portion of the records also concern the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA).

The records in S-1937 were maintained by the Regional Commissions Section of DESA and are arranged alphabetically and therein chronologically. The records include: correspondence and memoranda concerning administrative arrangements for personnel; budget material; and memoranda and newspaper clippings documenting the change in membership status of member states to the regional economic commissions.

The records of ECA and ECAFE document the co-operation and consultation between International Governmental Organizations (IGOs); Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs); Technical Assistance Board (TAB); United Nations Headquarters; and United Nations specialized agencies. The ECA records include the commission’s co-operation and consultation between IGOs such as the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the Economic Committee of the League of Arab States, the African Malagasy Union for Economic Co-operation (UAMCE) and the Equatorial Customs Union (UDE); through newspaper clippings, memoranda and correspondence, directives, and reports. S-1937 records also contain annual work programmes and meeting schedules of ECA, ECAFE and ECLA.

S-1937 includes records of the annual sessions of ECA, ECAFE, and ECE. These records consist of: correspondence and memoranda related to planning; press releases and press cables; and drafts of annual reports and related correspondence. For example, at the Sixth Session of ECA held in Addis Ababa from 20 February - 2 March, the following matters were addressed: a five-year review of the Commission’s activities; the work programme for 1964-1965; a situation report on the African Development Bank; a progress report on the creation of an African Common Market; and a joint report of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and ECA on the development of air transport in Africa. Records also document the Twentieth Session of the ECAFE held in Tehran from 2 -17 March 1964 adoption of the resolution on international trade also known as the “Teheran Resolution.” In addition, S-1937 contains press releases that summarize the activities of the sessions, including the adoption of resolutions.