The Commission for the Status of Women was established in 1946 as a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is the principal global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women. Every year, representatives of Member States gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and women's empowerment worldwide. In March 2017, Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the UN was elected by acclamation as Chair of the 45-member Commission for its sessions in 2018 and 2019. The priority theme for the 63rd session, which concludes on 22 March 2019, will focus on social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The Commission will also review progress made in regard to women’s empowerment and the link to sustainable development, a theme last discussed at its 60th session.