United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

Why in News?

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has been elected the 81st president of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), defeating Cyprus Ambassador Andreas Kakouris in a rare contested vote.

• UNGA – It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), serving as its main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ.
• Establishment – In 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations.
• Headquarter – New York, United States.
• Membership – Comprised of all 193 Members of the United Nations, including India.
• Decision-making – Each of the 193 Member States in the Assembly has one vote.
• Important issues like peace/security, elections and budget require a two-thirds majority, whereas others require a simple majority.
• Consensus – Most resolutions adopted without a formal vote after informal consultations.
• 6 Main Committees –
  • Disarmament and International Security
  • Economic and Financial
  • Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural
  • Special Political and Decolonisation
  • Administrative and Budgetary
  • Legal

Key Functions

• Budgetary Authority – It considers and approves the UN budget; sets financial contributions for member states.
• Elections & Appointments – Elects non-permanent members of the Security Council, members of other UN bodies, and appoints the Secretary-General (on Security Council recommendation).
• Peace & Security – Discusses international peace and security issues; makes recommendations except when the Security Council is actively handling a dispute.
• Law & Human Rights – Initiates studies and recommendations to promote international law, human rights, and cooperation in economic, social, cultural, and health fields.
• Emergency Action – Under the Uniting for Peace resolution (1950), can recommend collective measures if the Security Council fails to act due to a veto.

References

1. Indian Express | Bangladesh Foreign Minister elected 81st president of UNGA
2. UNGA | UNGA Functions