U.N. General Assembly

The General Assembly is the main deliberative body of the UN. As opposed to the Security Council which is exclusive and grants unique veto rights to only five powerful countries. All 193 UN members have access and equal voting rights in the GA. The GA approves the admission of new UN members and elects members to other UN organs. Over the years, it has become the primary platform for the dialogue between developed and developing states. The General Assembly broadly deals with several critical issues which include myriad of interlinked issues related to development, disarmament, education, environment, health crises, humanitarian assistance, and human right, etc. Effective policymaking in all these areas by the General Assembly is obviously of crucial importance to the peoples of the world. General Assembly provides unique forum for multilateral dialogue as per the UN Charter. GA is a significant body that plays an important role in the setting and codification of international law

Introduction

The Charter of the United Nations was signed on 26^thJune 1945, in San Francisco, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organization, and came into force on 24^thOctober 1945. The General Assembly is a Forum for Multilateral negotiation. Established in 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations, the General Assembly occupies a central position as the chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. There are no other intergovernmental body in the world that enjoys a universal membership and also covers such a broad a spectrum of issues as the General Assembly (General Assembly hereafter). The General Assembly broadly deals with several critical issues which include myriad of interlinked issues related to development, disarmament, education, environment, health crises, humanitarian assistance, and human right, etc. Effective policymaking in all these areas by the General Assembly is obviously of crucial importance to the peoples of the world. General Assembly with 193 members provides unique forum for multilateral dialogue as per the UN Charter. General Assembly is a significant body that plays an important role in the setting and codification of international law. General Assembly meets in regular session intensively from September to December each year, and thereafter as required.

 

The General Assembly is the main deliberative body of the UN. As opposed to the Security Council which is exclusive and grants unique veto rights to only five powerful countries. All 193 UN members have access and equal voting rights in the General Assembly. The General Assembly approves the admission of new UN members and elects members to other UN organs. Over the years, it has become the primary platform for the dialogue between developed and developing states.

 

 

 

Some of the important objective areas of General Assembly include

 

• Comment and review reports from the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council.

• Give recommendations on international political cooperation, collaboration in economic, social, cultural, educational, and health related issues.

• Appointing the Secretary-General in conjunction with the Security Council and electing non-permanent members of the Security Council, judges of the International Court of Justice, and members of the Economic and Social Council.

 

Structure

The nature, scope and composition of the General Assembly are enshrined in the chapter IV of the United Nations Organisations’ charter.  Regarding the structural composition, according to article 9 of the UN Charter, the General Assembly shall consist of all the members of the United Nations with not more than five representatives in General Assembly. There are seven commissions, including the International Law Commission and the new Peace-building Commission. There are also councils and panels, such as the Human Rights Council and other committees that cover a broad range of topics, from the Committee on the Rights of the Child to the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. General Assembly also consists of a number of working groups.

 

Membership and Sessions

All 193 member states of the United Nations have a vote in the General Assembly. Additionally, several entities, like the Vatican, have non-voting observer status that allows them to participate in debate but not vote on resolutions or declarations. Recommendations on peace and security, the election of members to organs, the admission, suspension, and expulsion of members, and budgetary matters require a two-thirds majority of those present. Resolutions on other matters only require a simple majority.

 

Understanding General Assembly from a legal perspective

The article10 of the Charter deliberates on functions and powers of the General Assembly. The General Assembly may discuss any questions or any matters within the scope of the present Charter or relating to the powers and functions of any organs provided for in the present Charter, and, except as provided in Article 12, may make recommendations to the Members of the United Nations or to the Security Council or to both on any such questions or members. As far as the article 11 is concerned, the General Assembly may consider the general principles of co-operation in the maintenance of international peace and security, including the principles governing disarmament and the regulation of armaments, and may make recommendations with regard to such principles to the Members or to the Security Council or to both. The General Assembly may discuss any question relating to the maintenance of international peace and security brought before it by any Member of the United Nations, or by the Security Council, or by a state which is not a Member of the United Nations in accordance with Article 35, paragraph 2. Any such question on which action is necessary shall be referred to the Security Council by the General Assembly either before or after discussion.

 

The article 12 specifies the relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council. It further clarifies that the General Assembly shall not make any recommendation with regard to that dispute or situation unless the Security Council so requests. According to article 13 (1) A & B, the GA shall initiate studies and make recommendation for the purpose of two important objectives; First, promoting international co-operation in the political field and encouraging the progressive development of international law and its codification. And second, promote international co-operation in the economic, social, cultural, educational, and health fields, and assisting in the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.

 

According to the article 15 and 16, General Assembly shall receive and consider annual and special reports from the Security Council. GA shall perform such functions with respect to the international trusteeship system as are assigned to it under Chapters XII and XIII, including the approval of the trusteeship agreements for areas not designated as strategic. Likewise, the article 17 deals with the budgeting and expenses of the General Assembly. It is equally interesting to know that as per the article 18, each member of the GA shall have only one vote which requires voting of two-third majority of the members for decisions such as on recommendations with respect to the maintenance of international peace and security, the election of the non-permanent members of the Security Council, the election of the members of the Economic and Social Council, the election of members of the Trusteeship Council, and the expulsion of Members, questions relating to the operation of the trusteeship system, and budgetary questions. The procedural aspects of GA are enshrined in the article 20 and 21. The General Assembly shall adopt its own rules of procedure. It shall elect its President for each session.

 

Article 22

The responsibilities, functions and powers of the GA are mentioned in the Chapters IX and X some of which are listed as below; 

To approve the budget of UN and conduct financial assessments

 

Elect the non-permanent members of the Security Council

 

Appoint the Secretary-General

Seek cooperation for maintaining international peace and security, including disarmament;

 

Initiate studies and make recommendations to promote international political cooperation, human rights and humanitarian works.