Globalization and liberalization of the world’s markets need to be accompanied by universally applicable guidelines to ensure that all mankind can benefit. Economic development must respect fundamental human rights and social justice. There are a number of United Nations (UN) bodies working towards this end.

The UN makes an important contribution to the maintenance of stable economic conditions on a worldwide basis. It is particularly active in the following areas:

• labour policy
• food and agricultural policy
• industrial policy
• combating organized crime
• narcotics policy

Several of the UN organizations active in these areas are based in Switzerland. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the principal bodies of the UN, holds its annual meetings alternately in Geneva and New York. Switzerland has last been a member of ECOSOC in 2011-2012.