The ICESCR has its roots in the same process that led to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights . A " Declaration on the Essential Rights of Man " had been proposed at the 1945 San Francisco Conference which led to the founding of the United Nations , and the Economic and Social Council was given the task of drafting it . Early on in the process , the document was split into a declaration setting forth general principles of human rights , and a convention or covenant containing binding commitments . The former evolved into the UDHR and was adopted on 10 December 1948
1945 San Francisco Conference
United Nations Conference on International Organization
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights