The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), established in 1945, is the primary policy-making body of the UN with equal representation for all states. It meets annually to address global issues such as peace, climate change, and human rights. Key achievements include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030).
However, challenges like non-binding resolutions, geopolitical tensions, and resource constraints hinder its effectiveness. India, a founding member, advocates for reforms, equitable representation, climate justice, and counterterrorism while actively contributing to peacekeeping and global governance.
About UNGA
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), headquartered in New York City, is the principal policy-making body of the UN, established in 1945 under the UN Charter. It provides a unique platform for multilateral dialogue on a wide range of international issues outlined in the Charter. The UNGA's inaugural session was held on January 10, 1946, with 51 founding member states.
- Foundation of UNGA: Formed after the League of Nations' failure, the UNGA became a key organ of the newly created United Nations to promote global peace and cooperation.
- Aim of UNGA: Provide a platform for sovereign equality, allowing all member states to discuss and address global issues collectively.
- Headquarters: Initially met in various locations before establishing its permanent headquarters in New York City in 1951.
- Expansion of Membership: As more nations gained independence, UN membership expanded significantly, reflecting the changing global political landscape.
UNGA Structure
The structure of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) consists of all 193 UN Member States, each holding one vote. It convenes annually in September, with additional special sessions scheduled as necessary to address urgent global issues.
- Presidency: The presidency rotates annually among five geographic groups- African, Asian, Eastern European, Latin American and Caribbean, Western European and others.
- Observers: The Holy See, Palestine, and other international organisations can participate in sessions but cannot vote.
- Seating Arrangement: Member states are seated alphabetically in the General Assembly Hall, with the first rows reserved for heads of state or government.
- Decision-Making: Each member has one vote. Important issues, such as peace and security, the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) elections, and budgetary questions, require a two-thirds majority. Other issues are decided by a simple majority.
- Subsidiary Organs: The UN General Assembly has various committees and commissions for research, investigation, and report preparation.
- General Committee: It includes the UNGA President, 21 Vice Presidents, and chairs of the six main committees, organizing each session's work.
- Six Main Committees: Disarmament and International Security, Economic and Financial, Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural, Special Political and Decolonization, Administrative and Budgetary, Legal.
- Other Key Bodies:
- United Nations Disarmament Commission: Recommends disarmament policies.
- International Law Commission: Develops and codifies international law.
- United Nations Peacebuilding Commission: Advises on post-conflict peacebuilding.
- Human Rights Council: Promotes and protects human rights globally.
- Others: The UN Environment Assembly, the Commission on the Status of Women, and the Commission on Population and Development.
UNGA Functions and Powers
The powers and functions of the UNGA include discussing global issues, approving the UN budget, electing members to various bodies, and creating subsidiary organs. It can also convene special sessions, recommend collective peace measures, and ensure equal representation for all member states.
- Policy-Making and Recommendations: The UNGA discusses global issues like peace, security, and human rights, providing recommendations to address international challenges.
- Budget Approval: The UNGA approves the UN budget and assesses financial contributions from member states to ensure proper allocation of resources.
- Appointment Powers: The UNGA elects non-permanent UNSC members, appoints the Secretary-General, and elects members to other UN bodies like the Human Rights Council, ICJ etc.
- Subsidiary Organs: The UNGA creates subsidiary organs to address specific global issues and report back with detailed findings and actionable recommendations.
- Consideration of Reports: The UNGA reviews reports from other UN organs and agencies, enabling coordinated and informed responses to global challenges.
- Special Sessions: The UNGA can convene special sessions to address urgent international matters requiring immediate attention and collective action.
- Collective Measures for Peace: Under the "Uniting for Peace" resolution of 1950, the UNGA can take action when the UNSC is paralyzed by a veto from a permanent member, recommending collective measures to restore or maintain international peace and security.
- Equal Representation: Every UNGA member state has one equal vote, ensuring that all nations, big or small, have a voice in global discussions and decision-making.
UNGA Assessment
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) plays a vital role in global diplomacy and policy-making. Key achievements include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), UN peacekeeping, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, challenges like lack of enforcement power, consensus-building issues, budget constraints, and global divisions limit its effectiveness.
Further, reforms focusing on internal functioning, alternative funding sources, and better cooperation with the Security Council are essential to strengthen its impact.
UNGA Achievements
UNGA's achievements include the UDHR, UN peacekeeping efforts, the Decolonization Declaration, the International Convention Against Apartheid and others as follows:
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): Adopted in 1948, the UDHR sets out the fundamental human rights and dignity of all individuals, laying the foundation for global human rights standards and inspiring over 80 international treaties.
- UN Peacekeeping Efforts: Since 1948, UN peacekeepers have been deployed in over 70 missions worldwide to maintain ceasefires, protect civilians, and support peace processes in post-conflict regions, demonstrating the UN’s commitment to global security.
- Decolonization Declaration (1960): This declaration recognized the right of colonial peoples to self-determination and independence, contributing to the independence of over 80 nations by the end of the 20th century.
- International Convention Against Apartheid (1973): The convention declared apartheid a crime against humanity, providing legal frameworks for international cooperation in dismantling apartheid and promoting racial equality.
- Millennium Development Goals (2000): These goals aimed to reduce extreme poverty, improve education, and promote health, resulting in significant progress, such as lifting over 1 billion people out of poverty by 2015.
- Agenda for Sustainable Development (2015): The 17 SDGs outlined in the 2030 Agenda aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and promote prosperity, emphasizing sustainable development and global partnerships.
- Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons (2017): The historic treaty prohibits the development, testing, and use of nuclear weapons, reinforcing global efforts towards nuclear disarmament and enhancing international security.
- Global Compacts on Refugees & Migration (2018): The compacts address large-scale refugee movements and establish principles for safe, responsible migration.
UNGA Challenges
The UNGA faces significant challenges that hinder its ability to address global issues effectively. These include geopolitical tensions, resource limitations, consensus-building difficulties, and the lack of enforcement power, which often lead to ineffective solutions and fragmentation within the assembly.
- Geopolitical Tensions: Rivalries between major powers like the US, Russia, and China create significant obstacles, leading to divisive debates and a lack of consensus on global issues such as peacekeeping and humanitarian aid.
- Lack of Enforcement Capacity: The UNGA’s resolutions are non-binding, meaning countries are not compelled to comply, which weakens its authority and hinders its ability to ensure adherence to international norms and agreements.
- Consensus-Building Difficulties: With 193 member states, each holding differing priorities, reaching consensus becomes challenging. This often results in watered-down resolutions that fail to address critical global issues effectively.
- Resource Constraints: Limited funding and financial shortfalls affect the UNGA’s ability to carry out its programs. This lack of resources leads to delays or insufficient implementation of vital initiatives to address global challenges.
- Global Divisions: The presence of competing blocs, like the G77, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Western states, often causes fragmentation and disunity within the UNGA, making it difficult to forge a unified global response to pressing issues.
- Lack of Independence from Member States: The UNGA’s priorities are frequently influenced by the national interests of powerful member states, sidelining critical global issues that may not align with their interests or agendas.
- Lack of Cooperation from the Security Council: When the UNSC fails to act due to political deadlocks or vetoes from its permanent members, the UNGA struggles to respond to crises, as seen in the cases of Syria and Myanmar.
- Rising Global Challenges: The UNGA is increasingly confronted with complex issues such as climate change, nuclear proliferation, and public health crises. The fragmented approach to these challenges often results in ineffective solutions.
To improve its effectiveness, the UNGA requires reforms in its internal functioning, funding mechanisms, legal frameworks, and cooperation with the UNSC. Strengthening accountability, ensuring compliance with resolutions, and reducing political influence will enhance its credibility and capacity to address global challenges.
- Reform internal functioning: The UNGA should strengthen accountability through improved monitoring, evaluation, and transparency in decision-making to ensure effective, open governance.
- Explore alternative funding mechanisms: The UNGA must decrease dependence on member contributions by exploring new funding models, to fulfil its mandate effectively.
- Enhanced legal framework: The General Assembly should create legal frameworks to follow up on whether member states comply with passed resolutions, ensuring accountability.
- Comprehensive UN reforms: Comprehensive United Nations reforms should promote greater cooperation between the UNSC and UNGA on upholding world peace as well as address uneven regional representation by reviewing and realigning membership distribution.
- Curb political influences: UNGA must develop certain mechanisms to insulate its decision-making processes from narrow national agendas, that will boost its credibility.
India and UNGA
India has been a key advocate for multilateralism and equitable representation in the UNGA since its founding in 1945. It has led efforts in decolonization, anti-apartheid, gender equality, and global issues like climate justice and nuclear disarmament. Reforms led by India in collaboration with UNGA are as follows:
- Decolonization and Anti-Apartheid Efforts: India was a strong supporter of decolonization, co-sponsoring the 1960 Declaration on Granting Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.
- It also raised the issue of apartheid in 1946, contributing to global anti-apartheid efforts.
- Leadership in UNGA: In 1953, Vijaya Laxmi Pandit became the first woman President of the UNGA, reflecting India's leadership in promoting gender equality globally.
- Active Participation: India has served on the UN Security Council eight times and the latest term was in 2021-2022.
- India led key debates on maritime security and technology in peacekeeping during its presidency in August 2021.
- India is bidding for a non-permanent seat on the UNSC for the 2028-2029 term.
- Reforms of UN Institutions: India calls for expanded Security Council membership to reflect current geopolitical realities, advocating for permanent membership for countries like India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan.
- Global Counterterrorism Strategy: India has pushed for the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) since 1996, aiming for a unified global response to terrorism.
- Peacekeeping Reform: As a major contributor to peacekeeping, India advocates for improved accountability and conduct in missions.
- Climate Justice: India stresses equitable responsibility for climate change and has launched initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
- Nuclear Disarmament: India supports global nuclear disarmament while maintaining its policy of minimum deterrence.
United Nations General Assembly UPSC PYQs
Question 1: The Stiglitz Commission established by the President of the United Nations General Assembly was in the international news. The commission was supposed to deal with (UPSC Prelims 2010)
- The challenges posed by the impending global climate change and prepare a road map.
- The workings of the global financial systems and to explore ways and means to secure a more sustainable global order.
- Global terrorism and prepare a global action plan for the mitigation of terrorism.
- Expansion of the United Nations Security Council in the present global scenario
Answer: (b)
Question 2: With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations program working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct? (UPSC prelims 2017)
- UN-Habitat has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all.
- Its partners are either governments or local urban authorities only.
- UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and to promote access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1, 2 and 3
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 only
Answer: (b)
United Nations General Assembly FAQs
Q1. What is UNGA?
Ans. The UNGA, established in 1945 under the UN Charter, is one of the six principal organs of the UN and serves as its main policy-making body, headquartered in New York City.
Q2. Who is the 78th president of the General Assembly?
Ans. The 78th President of the United Nations General Assembly is Dennis Francis of Trinidad and Tobago.
Q3. Who was the first woman president of UNGA?
Ans. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit of India was the first woman president of the UN General Assembly, serving during its 8th session from 1953 to 1954.
Q4. Which is the newest country to join the UN?
Ans. South Sudan is the newest member state, having joined the UN on July 14, 2011, shortly after gaining independence as a country.
Q5. What is the main duty of the United Nations General Assembly?
Ans. The main duty of the UN General Assembly is to discuss international issues and make recommendations, though it cannot enforce resolutions or compel state action.