Question

With reference to the General Assembly, explain the following:

1. Composition of the General Assembly.
2. Its role in the promotion of international cooperation.
3. Any four of its functions.

Answer 1

1. The General Assembly is made up of all United Nations members.
   1. Although each state has five delegates in the General Assembly, each state only has one vote.
   2. At the outset of each regular session, the Assembly selects a new president, 21 vice presidents, and chairmen for the Assembly's six main committees.
   3. To ensure balanced geographical representation, the presidency of the Assembly is rotated annually among five groupings of states: Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Europe and other states.
   4. Important decisions are decided with a two-thirds majority.
   5. These concerns include the election of non-permanent members of the Security Council, the admission of new members, the suspension or expulsion of members, budgetary matters, and so on.
   6. A majority of those present and voting decides on other issues.
2. The General Assembly's role in promoting international collaboration is described as follows:
   1. To consider and provide recommendations on cooperative principles for the preservation of international peace and security.
   2. To debate any issue concerning world peace and security and make recommendations on it.
   3. Conduct research and provide recommendations to advance international political, social, and economic cooperation.
   4. Make recommendations for amicable dispute resolution.
3. The General Assembly's four functions are:
   1. Receive and analyse reports from the Security Council and other UN agencies.
   2. Consider and approve the United Nations' budget, as well as apportion contributions among members.
   3. To elect non-permanent members of the Security Council, Economic and Social Council, and Trusteeship Council, as well as justices for the International Court of Justice.
   4. Appoint the Secretary-General based on the advice of the Security Council.