I. The Economic and Social Council was established under Article VIII of the Treaty of Joint Defense and Arab Economic Cooperation which stipulates that "an Economic Council consisting of the Ministers in charge of economic affairs, or their representatives if necessary, shall be formed by the Contracting States to submit recommendations for the realization of all such aims set forth in this article. The Council may, seek the cooperation of the Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs referred to in Article IV of the Charter of the League of Arab States."
II.The Council of the League of Arab States, upon its Resolution 3552 of 29th March 1977, approved the amendment of Article VIII of the Treaty of Joint Defense and Economic Cooperation between the States of the Arab League, which provided for
"An Economic and Social Council consisting of the Member States' Ministers in charge of economic affairs, Ministers of Foreign affairs, or their representatives if necessary, shall be formed by the League of Arab States to achieve the economic and social aims of the Arab League and other relevant issues set forth in this article.
The Council shall approve of the establishment of any specialized Arab organization and supervise its performance in accordance with the provisions set forth in their instruments."
III.The Council of the League of Arab States approved, upon its Resolution 280 adopted by the 16th Ordinary Session at Summit Level held in Tunisia on 23rd May 2004, the amendment of Paragraph (1) of Article VIII of the Treaty of Joint Defense and Economic Cooperation, which stipulated that
"An Economic and Social Council consisting of the Arab Member States' Ministers in charge of economic and financial affairs, selected by the governments of Member States, taking into consideration the Council's mandate and the importance of its continuous and effective representation, for the achievement of the economic and social aims of the Arab League and other related issues as set forth in the Charter of the League of Arab States, the Treaty of Joint Defense and Economic Cooperation, or the agreements concluded by the Arab League."