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Functions and powers of the General AssemblyAccording to the Charter of the United Nations,
the General Assembly may:
Discuss any question relating to international peace and security and, except where a
dispute or situation is currently being discussed by the Security Council, make
recommendations on it;
Discuss, with the same exception, and make recommendations on any questions within
the scope of the Charter or affecting the powers and functions of any organ of the United
Nations;
Make recommendations for the peaceful settlement of any situation that might impair
friendly relations among nations;
Receive and consider reports from the Security Council and other United Nations organs;
Consider and approve the United Nations budget and establish the financial assessments
of Member States;
Elect the non-permanent members of the Security Council and the members of other
United Nations councils and organs and, on the recommendation of the Security Council,
appoint the Secretary-General.
The United Nations General Assembly is an principal organ of the United Nations
Organization. It meets once a year or on special occasions. This is the only organ of UN where
all members have equal representation. Resolutions of the General Assembly could become
source of International Law. Provisions related to the General Assembly are present in Chapter
IV - Articles 9 to 22 of the United Nations Charter.
Agencies such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Nations Children's
Fund (UNICEF) are not specialised agencies of the UN, but are bodies set up by the UN
General Assembly, and lack separate international legal personality.
Contents
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4 Supervisory functions
5 Financial functions
6 Elective functions
7 Constituent functions
Each member has an equal status irrespective of its size, power or importance.
'Special Sessions' can be called for by the Secretary-General up on a request from the
Security Council or by a majority of members
An 'Emergency Special Session' can be called for within 24 hrs of receipt by the
Secretary General of a request by the Security Council on the vote of any of 9 members
or by a majority of members of the UN.
Deliberative functions
Supervisory functions
Financials functions
Elective functions
Constituent functions
Deliberative functions
Has powers of discussion, investigation, review, supervision and criticism in regard to the
works of the UN as a whole and of the organs
Supervisory functions
Supervises activities of other organs and agencies including the Economic and Social
Council and the Trusteeship Council
Receives and reviews annual reports from the organs and agencies. Secretary-General
submits an annual report to the General Assembly.
Financial functions
Share of expenses of each of the members is decided. i.e Expenses of UN are apportioned
by members
Considers and approves financial and budgetary arrangements with specialized agencies.
Members wont have voting rights until they pay their dues.
Elective functions
Constituent functions
General Assembly is the only organ that can allow amendment to the United Nations
Charter.
2/3rd majority including votes made by permanent members is essential to approve and
ratify an amendment.
In additional to the president the General Assembly at its first session also elects seventeen vice
Presidents and seven chairmen for the seven standing committees. All these officials, along with
the president constitute the General Committee, which acts as the steering committee fore each
session. This committee acts as advisory body t the president. How ever, its recommendations
are not binding on the president. It mainly advises the president with regard to agenda and
priorities of debates, allocation of items to the seven committees, co ordination of work of the
standing committees, fixing date for adjournment of Assembly and assistance to the president in
the discharge of his responsibilities.
While nominating the seven vice presidents of General Assembly effority is made to provide
representation to all the areas. Usually seven members are taken from Asian and African states;
one from Eastern European States, three from Latin American states; two from Western
European and other states and five seats are given to five permanent members of the Security
Council. Like wise the Chairman ship of the seven committees is also allocated on the basis of
these areas.
Sessions of Assembly:
The regular session of the General Assembly is held once a year. The session commences on the
third Tuesday in September and continues until mid-December. In addition special session of the
Assembly can be called at the request of the Security Council a majority of member states or one
member states with the concurrence of the majority, Emergency special session of the Assembly
can be called within 24 hours of a request by the Security Council on vote of any nine of its
members, or by a majority of the member states.
Voting:
Decision on all important questions are taken by two third majority of the members present and
voting. Some of the important matters, which fall in this category include recommendations on
peace and security. Election of members of the security council: the Economic and Social
Council and the Trusteeship Council, admission suspension and expulsion of member states:
trusteeship questions and budgetary matters. The other matters can be decided by simple
majority.
Agenda:
The General Assembly conducts its business on the basis of the agenda which is prepared by the
secretary. General in the month of duty. The secretary General has not much dis-creation with
regard to the determination of the agenda because there are certain items which must find their
place on the agenda. Thus the agenda of the Assembly invariably includes Annual Report of the
Secretary General, reports of other organs of the United Nations, items proposed by members of
the United Nations. Further, this agenda is reviewed by the General Committee of the Assembly
to avoid overlapping and repetition.
Functions and Powers:
The General Assembly performs varied ad extensive functions which cane be conveniently
studied under the following heads.
1. Deliberative Functions: The General Assembly can discuss any question or matter within the
scope of the UN charter and relating to any organ of the United Nations. It can also invite the
attention of the Security Council to the situation which are likely to endanger international peace
and security and recommendation measures for the peaceful adjustment of situation which is
likely to disturb the friendly relations amongst nations.
The General Assembly can also initiate studies and make recommendations for (a) promoting
international co-operation in political arena and encourage progress of international Law and its
The functions and powers assigned to the Security Council under the charter are the following:
to maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and
purposes of the UN;
to investigate any dispute or situation that might lead to international friction and to
recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement;
to call on members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use
of force in order to prevent or stop aggression;
The Security council also is empowered to exercise the trusteeship functions of the UN in areas
designated as "strategic" (only the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands was so designated).
Finally, the Council recommends to the General Assembly the admission of new members and
the appointment of the Secretary-General and, together with the General Assembly, elects the
judges of the International Court of Justice.