UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY (Syllabus: GS Paper 2– IR)
Context: India voted in favour of a draft UN General Assembly resolution supporting Palestine’s bid to become a full UN member. Currently, Palestine is a non-member observer state at the UN.
UN General Assembly
- Establishment: In 1945 under the United Nations (UN) Charter
- Member Countries: 193 members.
- UNGA President: The UNGA is headed by its President, who is elected for a term of one year.
- Composition: The United Nations General Assembly comprises all 193 Members of the United Nations.
- Mandate: It provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter.
o India was the first non-Arab State to recognise the Palestine Liberation Organisation as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people in 1974.
o India was also one of the first countries to recognise the State of Palestine in 1988 and in 1996.
- Functions of the UNGA:
o The UNGA appoints a Secretary-General based on the Security Council's recommendation.
o It conducts elections for non-permanent members of the Security Council.
o Approval of the UN budget.
o It deliberates, debates, and provides recommendations on matters related to international peace and security.
o The UNGA reviews reports from the other four United Nations organs and evaluates the financial positions of member states.
