United Nations General Assembly

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The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations.  It is composed of representatives of all 192 members of the UN.  The UNGA has as its functions the following:  

  1. Consider and make recommendations on the general principles of cooperation for maintaining international peace and security, including disarmament;
  2. Discuss any question relating to international peace and security and, except where a dispute or situation is currently being discussed by the United Nations Security Council, make recommendations on it;
  3. Discuss, with the same exception, and make recommendations on any questions within the scope of the United Nations Charter or affecting the powers and functions of any organ of the United Nations;
  4. 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;
  5. Make recommendations for the peaceful settlement of any situation that might impair friendly relations among nations;
  6. Receive and consider reports from the Security Council and other United Nations organs;
  7. Consider and approve the United Nations budget and establish the financial assessments of Member States;
  8. 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 Secretary-General

The website of the UNGA (http://www.un.org/ga/) is an excellent online resource and provides links to many secondary sources concerning the UN system.