Regarding the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:

1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.

2. Inter-governmental organizations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.

3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Civil Services Exam Official 2022 Prelims General Studies held on 5th June

Answer 1

The correct answer is 1, 2, and 3.

Key PointsUnited Nations General Assembly:

The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN.
All 193 Member States of the UN are represented in the General Assembly, making it the only UN body with universal representation.
Each year, in September, the full UN membership meets in the General Assembly Hall in New York for the annual General Assembly session, and general debate, which many heads of state attend and address.
Decisions on important questions, such as those on peace and security, admission of new members, and budgetary matters, require a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly.
The United Nations General Assembly may grant non-member states, international organizations, and other entities Permanent Observer Status. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Decisions on other questions are by simple majority.
General Assembly decided that observer status would be confined to States and intergovernmental organizations whose activities cover matters of interest to the Assembly. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The President of the General Assembly is elected each year by the assembly to serve a one-year term of office.
Permanent Observers may participate in the sessions and workings of the General Assembly and maintain missions at the UN Headquarters. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.