About the General Assembly

Functions and Powers

The General Assembly (GA) is the main deliberative organ of the UN. Decisions on important questions, such as those on peace and security, admission of new members and budgetary matters, require a twothirds majority. Decisions on other questions are by simple majority. Each country has one vote. Some Member States in arrear of payment may be granted the right to vote. See the list of countries in arrears in the payment of their financial contributions. The GA has established a number of Councils, Working Groups, Boards, etc. for the performance of its functions. See the list of Subsidiary Organs. The Assembly has adopted its own rules of procedureand elects its President for each session. More about the Functions and Powers

Practical Arrangements
For questions relating to documents, list of speakers, announcements in the UN Journal and more, contact the General Assembly Secretariat. The Delegate's Handbook, revised and issued each year at the beginning of the General Assembly, is applicable throughout the session. The Protocol and Liaison Service website provides information and forms for registration, accreditation and pass issuance or renewal for Member States.

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Functions and Powers of the General Assembly

Forum for multilateral negotiation
Established in 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations, the General Assembly occupies a central position as the chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. Comprising all 193 Members of the United Nations, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter.

It also plays a significant role in the process of standard-setting and the codification of international law. The Assembly meets in regular session intensively from September to December each year, and thereafter as required.

Functions and powers of the General Assembly

According to the Charter of the United Nations, the General Assembly may: Consider and make recommendations on the general principles of cooperation for maintaining international peace and security, including disarmament; 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; Initiate studies and make recommendations to promote international political cooperation, the development and codification of international law, the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and international collaboration in the economic, social, humanitarian, cultural, educational and health fields; 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 SecretaryGeneral. Pursuant to its Uniting for Peace resolution of November 1950 (resolution 377 (V)) , the Assembly may also take action if the Security Council fails to act, owing to the negative vote of a permanent member, in a case where there appears to be a threat to the peace, breach of the peace or act of aggression. The Assembly can consider the matter immediately with a view to making recommendations to Members for collective measures to maintain or restore international peace and security (see "Special sessions and emergency special sessions). While the Assembly is empowered to make only non-binding recommendations to States on international issues within its competence, it has, nonetheless, initiated actionspolitical, economic, humanitarian, social and legalwhich have affected the lives of millions of people throughout the world. The landmark Millennium Declaration, adopted in 2000, and the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document reflect the commitment of Member States to reach specific goals to attain peace, security and disarmament along with development and poverty eradication; safeguard human rights and promote the rule of law; protect our common environment; meet the special needs of Africa; and strengthen the United Nations.

The search for consensus

Each Member State in the Assembly has one vote. Votes taken on designated important issues, such as recommendations on peace and security and the election of Security Council members, require a twothirds majority of Member States, but other questions are decided by simple majority. In recent years, a special effort has been made to achieve consensus on issues, rather than deciding by a formal vote, thus strengthening support for the Assemblys decisions. The President, after having consulted and reached agreement with delegations, can propose that a resolution be adopted without a vote.

Countries in arrears in the payment of their financial contributions under the terms of Article 19 of the UN Charter
Under Article 19 of the Charter, a Member State in arrears in the payment of its dues in an amount that equals or exceeds the contributions due for two preceding years can lose its vote in the General Assembly. An exception is allowed if the Member State can show that conditions beyond its control contributed to this inability to pay. On 11 October 2012, the General Assembly adopted resolution 67/2 by which it decided that the following five Member States shall be permitted to vote in the Assembly until the end of its 67th session: 1. Central African Republic 2. Comoros 3. Guinea-Bissau 4. Sao Tome and Principe 5. Somalia As of 16 May 2013, all Member State have paid their dues and are able to vote (See document A/67/693 + Add.1 +Add.2 + Add.3 + Add.4 + Add.5 + Add.6 + Add.7 + Add.8 + Add.9 + Add.10 + Add.11 + Add.12 + Add.13). For more information, see the Committee on Contributions.

General Assembly Secretariat

Acting Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management
Mr. Jean-Jacques Graisse Tel: 1 (212) 963-8362 / 8196, Room S-3065

General Assembly and ECOSOC Affairs Division

Mr. Ion Botnaru, Director Tel: 1 (212) 963-0725 / 5305, Room S-3080

General Assembly Affairs Branch

For coordination, procedures, organizational matters, plenary elections and candidatures, please contact: 1 (212) 963-2332, Fax: 1 (212) 963-3783. Mr. Saijin Zhang (Chief) - 1 (212) 963-2336, Room S-3051, <zhangs@un.org> Mr. Ziad Mahmassani - 1 (212) 963-2333, Room S-3060, <mahmassani@un.org> Ms. Anne Kwak - 1 (212) 963-3818, Room S-3053, <kwaks@un.org> Ms. Antonina Poliakova (List of speakers) - 1 (212) 963-5063, Room S-3082, <poliakova@un.org> Ms. Mary Muturi (Information on plenary elections and candidatures) - 1 (212) 963-2337, Room S3048, <muturi@un.org> Mr. Carlos Galindo (Membership of Main Committees, UN Journal) - 1 (212) 963-5307, Room S3049, <galindo@un.org>

While meetings of the General Assembly are in progress, most of the staff may be reached at 1 (212) 963-7786 / 7787 / 7789.

Documents Planning Unit

For questions relating to General Assembly documentation, please contact: Ms. Zhang Liya, Officer-in-Charge - 1 (212) 963-4244, Room AB-908 Mr. Valeri Kazanli - 1 (212) 963-3657, Room AB-909 Mr. Manuel Abraham - 1 (917) 367-5793, Room AB-902D Fax: 1 (212) 963-3696
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MISSION AND OBJECTIVES HOW ITC WORKS PRIORITY COUNTRIES AID FOR TRADE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS WORKING WITH ITC ITC CAREERS CORPORATE DOCUMENTS PRESS E-SHOP

ITCS MISSION ITC's mission is to foster sustainable economic development and contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goals in developing countries and countries with economies in transition through trade and international business development. ITCS STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

Building awareness and improving the availability and use of trade intelligence Strengthening TSIs Enhancing policies for the benefit of exporting enterprises Building the export capacity of enterprises to respond to market opportunities Mainstream inclusiveness and sustainability into trade promotion and export development policies

For more details, see ITCs Strategic Plan 2012-2015. ITC AT A GLANCE

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A Brief History of UNCTAD

Foundation

In the early 1960s, growing concerns about the place of developing countries in international trade led many of these countries to call for the convening of a full-fledged conference specifically devoted to tackling these problems and identifying appropriate international actions.

The first United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was held in Geneva in 1964. Given the magnitude of the problems at stake and the need to address them, the conference was institutionalized to meet every four years, with intergovernmental bodies meeting between sessions and a permanent secretariat providing the necessary substantive and logistical support.

Simultaneously, the developing countries established the Group of 77 to voice their concerns. (Today, the G77 has 131 members.) The prominent Argentinian economist Ral Prebisch, who had headed the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, became the organization's first Secretary-General.

Phase 1: The 1960s and 1970s

o o o o o o o o
In its early decades of operation, UNCTAD gained authoritative standing: as an intergovernmental forum for North-South dialogue and negotiations on issues of interest to developing countries, including debates on the "New International Economic Order". for its analytical research and policy advice on development issues. Agreements launched by UNCTAD during this time include: the Generalized System of Preferences (1968), whereby developed economies grant improved market access to exports from developing countries. a number of International Commodities Agreements, which aimed at stabilizing the prices of export products crucial for developing countries. the Convention on a Code of Conduct for Liner Conferences, which strengthened the ability of developing countries to maintain national merchant fleets. the adoption of a Set of Multilaterally Agreed Equitable Principles and Rules for the Control of Restrictive Business Practices. This work later evolved into what is today known as "Trade and Competition Policies". Furthermore, UNCTAD was a key contributor to: the definition of the target of 0.7% of gross domestic product (GDP) to be given as official development aid by developed countries to the poorest countries, as adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1970. the identification of the Group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) as early as 1971, which drew attention to the particular needs of these poorest countries. UNCTAD became the focal point within the UN system for tackling LDCrelated economic development issues.

Phase 2: The 1980s

o o
In the 1980s, UNCTAD was faced with a changing economic and political environment: There was a significant transformation in economic thinking. Development strategies became more marketoriented, focusing on trade liberalization and privatization of state enterprises. A number of developing countries were plunged into severe debt crises. Despite structural adjustment programs by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, most developing countries affected were not able to recover quickly. In many cases, they experienced negative growth and high rates of inflation. For this reason, the 1980s become known as the "lost decade", particularly in Latin America.

o o o

Economic interdependence in the world increased greatly. In the light of these developments, UNCTAD multiplied efforts aimed at: strengthening the analytical content of its intergovernmental debate, particularly regarding macroeconomic management and international financial and monetary issues. broadening the scope of its activities to assist developing countries in their efforts to integrate into the world trading system. In this context,

the technical assistance provided by UNCTAD to developing countries was particularly important in the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations, which had begun under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1986. UNCTAD played a key role in supporting the negotiations for the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).

UNCTAD's work on trade efficiency (customs facilitation, multimodal transport) made an important contribution to enabling developing economies to reap greater gains from trade. UNCTAD assisted developing countries in the rescheduling of official debt in the Paris Club negotiations. promoting South-South cooperation. In 1989, the Agreement on the Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries (GSTP) came into force. It provided for the granting of tariff as well as non-tariff preferences among its members. To date, the Agreement has been ratified by 44 countries.

addressing the concerns of the poorest nations by organizing the first UN Conference on Least Developed Countries in 1981. Since then, two other international conferences have been held at 10-year intervals.

Phase 3: From the 1990s until today

o o o
Key developments in the international context: The conclusion of the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations under the GATT resulted in the establishment of the World Trade Organizationin 1995, which led to a strengthening of the legal framework governing international trade. A spectacular increase in international financial flows led to increasing financial instability and volatility. Against this background, UNCTAD's analysis gave early warning concerning the risks and the destructive impact offinancial crises on development. Consequently, UNCTAD emphasized the need for a more development-oriented "international financial architecture".

o o

Foreign direct investment flows became a major component of globalization. UNCTAD highlighted the need for a differentiated approach to the problems of developing countries. Its tenth conference, held in Bangkok in February 2000, adopted a political declaration "The Spirit of Bangkok" as a strategy to address the development agenda in a globalizing world.

o o

In recent years, UNCTAD has further focused its analytical research on the linkages between trade, investment, technology and enterprise development. put forward a "positive agenda" for developing countries in international trade negotiations, designed to assist developing countries in better understanding the complexity of the multilateral trade negotiations and in formulating their positions.

Expanded work on international investment issues, following the merger into UNCTAD of the New Yorkbased United Nations Centre on Transnational Corporations in 1993.

expanded and diversified its technical assistance, which today covers a wide range of areas, including training trade negotiators and addressing trade-related issues; debt management, investment policy reviews and the promotion of entrepreneur ship; commodities; competition law and policy; and trade and environment

world of development experience

UNDP SUPPORTS AN ELECTION EVERY TWO WEEKS

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

World leaders have pledged to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, including the overarching goal of cutting poverty in half by 2015. UNDP's network links and coordinates global and national efforts to reach these Goals. Our focus is helping countries build and share solutions to the challenges of: Poverty Reduction and Achievement of the MDGs Democratic Governance Crisis Prevention and Recovery Environment and Energy for Sustainable Development UNDP helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women. The annual Human Development Report, commissioned by UNDP, focuses the global debate on key development issues, providing new measurement tools, innovative analysis and often controversial policy proposals. The global Report's analytical framework and inclusive approach carry over into regional, national and local Human Development Reports, also supported by UNDP.

In each country office, the UNDP Resident Representative normally also serves as the Resident Coordinator of development activities for the United Nations system as a whole. Through such coordination, UNDP seeks to ensure the most effective use of UN and international aid resources.

UNDP at a Glance

Since 1966, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been partnering with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of live for everyone. UNDP works in four main areas: poverty reduction and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); democratic governance; crisis prevention and recovery; environment and sustainable development.

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Leadership

Helen Clark became the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme in 2009, and is the first woman to lead the organization. She is also the Chair of the United Nations Development Group.
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UNDP by the numbers

170+ The number of countries and territories where UNDP is working on the ground 95% of UNDP's partners consider the organization to be a "critical partner" in contributing to the MDGs 26 The average number of elections that UNDP supports every year around the world

UNDP in Action 2013

Supporting Global Progress UNDP has decades of concrete development experience in countries ranging from fragile States to middle-income countries like Brazil and Indonesia. This, combined with our four focus areas, make us uniquely situated and qualified to answer the UNs call for a better and more sustainable future.
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Our Work

Poverty Reduction Democratic Governance Crisis Prevention & Recovery Environment & Energy HIV / AIDS Women's Empowerment Capacity Development

2013 Human Development Report

Millennium Development Goals

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 1Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger 2Achieve universal primary education 3Promote gender equality and empower women 4Reduce child mortality 5Improve maternal health 6Combat HIV / AIDS, malaria and other diseases 7Ensure environmental sustainability 8Develop a global partnership for development

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. UNCDFs mandate from the UN General Assembly (1966) is to assist developing countries in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants and loans. The mandate was modified in 1974 to focus on first and foremost the least developed among the developing countries. This original mandate -- to promote economic development in the least developed countries remains highly relevant today. Economic growth is necessary to enhance living standards, reduce poverty and cope with the worlds growing population. And it must be socially and environmentally sustainable to deliver maximum benefits for current and future generations. Within its economic development mandate UNCDF focuses on public and private financing mechanisms. Effective and efficient finance in both the public and private sectors -- can spur economic growth and make it more sustainable and inclusive. UNCDFs focus on financing mechanisms has special relevance for least developed countries, where public financial management is often weak, and private financial systems often underdeveloped and inaccessible to poor people.

Public Sector: strengthening public investment at the local level. UNCDF supports decentralization and strong financial management within decentralized systems. This leads to improved allocation of scarce public resources, stronger and more responsive local governments and, ultimately, better public investment in roads, marketplaces, irrigation systems and other basic infrastructure that improves peoples lives and lays the foundations for economic growth.

Private Sector: ensuring financial services reach poor people and small businesses. Inclusive financial systems promote private sector driven, pro-poor growth. By ensuring formal financial systems include poor people with savings, credit, payments, insurance, remittances UNCDF helps poor families and small businesses generate income, build assets, invest in opportunities and strengthen resilience to setbacks.

UNCDFs support is ultimately designed to promote sustainable and inclusive growth that empowers people and countries to unleash their potential.

overnance and Funding

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UNCDF was created in 1966 by the UN General Assembly. It is an autonomous, voluntarily funded UN organization, affiliated with UNDP. UNDPs Executive Board serves simultaneously as UNCDFs Executive Board. The Executive Board formally the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board meets three times a year and is made up of 36 member states from regional groupings, serving on a rotational basis. Programme countries comprise roughly two thirds of the Executive Board, and donor countries one third. The Executive Board falls under the authority of the Economic and Social Council and, ultimately, the General Assembly of the UN. UNDPs Administrator serves simultaneously as UNCDFs Managing Director. Authority for managing most aspects of UNCDF has been delegated to the Executive Secretary. UNCDF raises its own funding, separately from UNDP. Funding comes from UN member states, foundations and the private sector. UNCDFs funding has increased substantially in recent years, with total income now roughly $60 million per year. Private foundations are now among UNCDFs largest donors.

Created by the General Assembly in 1966 to promote economic development, UNCDF began focusing the worlds least developed countries in 1974. For the next twenty years UNCDF financed stand-alone capital infrastructure -- roads, bridges, irrigation schemes -- mostly in Africa. It received about $40 million in core funding per year and operated out of UNDP country offices. In the mid-1990s UNCDF began to focus to the role local governments could play in planning, financing and maintaining capital investments. Promoting effective infrastructure investment and service delivery via decentralized public financial management has been UNCDFs mainstay ever since. UNCDFs other major area of expertise microfinance also dates to the mid-1990s, when many of its rural development project had credit components. Today UNCDF operates in two broad areas:

Public Finance for Local Development: decentralization and public financial management for local investment, service delivery and economic development; and Financial services for the Poor: the range of financial policies and products designed to empower poor families and small businesses, including savings, microcredit, micro-insurance and remittances.

UNCDF has also begun work on catalyzing domestic finance for public-private-partnerships geared to stimulating economic growth at the local level. UNCDFs resources remain modest compared to many multilateral organizations. But it has developed a considerable track record of going where others do not, and then leveraging in larger sources of public and private capital. In the words of a 2008 assessment by the Government of Sweden, UNCDF should be seen as a development actor that paves the way for others, rather than a financing mechanism. UNCDFs traditional business model centralized in New York, funded by a small number of core donors has also evolved. Since 2005 UNCDF has:

Moved 50 percent of its staff to the field; Doubled its number of donors; Doubled its annual income; Significantly expanded and diversified its programmes. UNCDF today operates in 40 of the worlds 49 least developed countries. 70 percent of its portfolio is in Africa, 50 is in percent in post-crisis countries. Two of UNCDFs largest donors are private foundations. Its annual budget is $60 million and growing. In 2011 UNCDF received the highest score in the SmartAid index, a measure of over overall effectiveness in microfinance.