International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (IAESCSI)　

The International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (IAESCSI) was previously known as the Economic and Social Council. This Council was organized by France in 1989, with its first meeting held in Paris. In the Mauritius meeting held in 1999, members unanimously approved the establishment of the IAESCSI, which is responsible for coordinating linkages among members, planning and organizing conferences, as well as conducting study, discussion and exchange of views on social and economic issues that are concerned by international community.According to Article IV of the IAESCSI constitution, members are categorized as effective (with voting rights), associate (no voting rights) and honourable. The IAESCSI Conference is held every two years and most items on its agenda are related to economic and social areas. The conference aims to reinforce the connection of economic and social organizations of different countries and collect opinions on economic and social issues in order to reach a mutual understanding. Currently, 58 countries/territories are IAESCSI members. Majority of them are from Europe, Africa and some Asian regions (China, South Korea, Macao, etc.). Most of its members are the economic and social councils or similar organizations of different countries/regions, and normally, they work in close relationship with senior government officials of their own country/region.

Participation of Macao

The Standing Committee for the Coordination of Social Affairs started to participate in IAESCSI activities in 1995. That year, the Fourth IAESCSI International Conference organized by the Economic and Social Council of Portugal was held in Lisbon. Macau attended the Conference as part of the Portugal delegation. In 1999, a delegation consisting of the former Under Secretary for Economy and Finance, the Secretary General of the Standing Committee for the Coordination of Social Affairs and the Secretary General of the Economic Committee attended the Sixth International Conference organized by the National Economic and Development Council (NEDC) of Mauritius. Since then, the Standing Committee for the Coordination of Social Affairs has officially become an associate member of IAESCSI.

Participation of China

The China Economic and Social Council (hereinafter referred to as “Council”) is under the supervision of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. In 2005, Wang Zhongyu, Chairman of that Council, was also the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Committee (position equivalent to national leader). In June 2005, during the Ninth International Conference held in Paris, the Chairman of the Council was unanimously elected as the president of the Management Committee for the first time. In 2007, the Tenth Conference held in China was hosted by Council Chairman Wang Zhongyu.

The China Economic and Social Council (known as China Economic and Social Research Council before November 2004) was established in Beijing on July 2nd, 2001. It is a tripartite organization that unites not only China's economic and social research institutions, but also relevant enterprises and individuals. The Council is composed of experts, scholars and entrepreneurs of economic and social fields and representatives from all sectors of society. It is a legal person under the supervision of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The Council is a national consultative organization on matters related to economic and social research, with the objective “to study, to consult, and to serve”. It also endeavours to unite and connect different economic and social sectors to carry out study and discussion on major issues regarding economic and social development of China, gives proposals and advice, as well as provides consultation and information. In July 2001, in the Seventh IAESCSI International Conference, the Council replaced the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference to be an effective member of IAESCSI. At the same time, it was elected as a member of the Management Committee. The Council’s ultimate goal is to encourage the communication and cooperation with IAESCSI and its members, in order to promote further worldwide economic development through extensive dialogue and sharing of experience.

Websites:

International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (IAESCSI) http://www.aicesis.org/

National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference http://www.cppcc.gov.cn/