On 29 April 1958, the United Nations Economic and Social Council convened in New York for its twenty-fifth session to deliberate on a favourable consideration to supporting African Governments, in their efforts to raise their economic activity, bettering the living standards of their citizens and maintaining the economic relations of the countries both among themselves and with the rest of the world. During that time, most African countries were still under colonial rule but on the verge of gaining independence. In that meeting, the terms of reference of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) were established under resolution 671A (XXV) and the ECA was officially born. This came after the Council considered views expressed by the already independent African countries – Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, Morocco, the Sudan and Tunisia – whose views were supported by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) and after a protracted campaign in the General Assembly.