General Assembly.

Overview

Each member may have not more than five representatives in General Assembly (GA). 

Each member has one vote.

Decisions on important questions are made by two-thirds majority of the members present and voting. Such decisions or questions include the matter relating to international peace and security, the election of non permanent members members of Security Council, the election of members of ECOSOC, admission of new members in UN etc.

Functions and Power:

1. Deliberative Functions:

This means functions regarding discussion, studies, recommendations and passing of resolutions on d/f matters.

A) GA can discuss any question or matter within the scope of present charter. There is, however, exceptions to this. According to Article 12, UNGA does not interfere into any dispute or situation which under UNSC. Although Article 10 provide confers upn GA very wide deliberative functions, yet they are restricted by Article 12.

B) GA can promote peace and security. It can call the attention of SC to situations which are likely to jeopardise the peace and security. And GA can make recommendations in this regard. 

C) Article 13 provides that GA shall initiate and make recommendations for the purpose of:

--promoting international cooperation and codifying I law. 

- promote international cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, education and health fields. 

Limitations of GA:

-Its resolutions are not binding upon states. It can only recommend (Article 18).

-Article2(7): Nothing contained in the present charter shall authorise the UN to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state.... However, it may be noted that meaning of term "domestic jurisdiction" has not been clarified in the charter.

2. Supervisory Function:

By this we mean those functions through which GA supervise the function of other principal organ and specialised agencies of the UN. GA has power over 2 principle organs of the UN, namely, the economic and social council and Trusteeship Council. ECOSOC Trusteeship Council works as subordinate organ of GA.

SC and other organs have to submit annual reports to GA.

3. Financial Functions:

Article 17: GA considers and approve the budget of UN. Furthermore, the expense of the of the organisation shall be borne by the members. 

It considers and approves the budget of principal organs.

         The power of GA reached their zenith with the passing of "Uniting for Peace Resolution" in 1950. It gave power to GA to maintain international peace and security. Under this resolution GA has been empowered to send the emergency forces of the UN for the supervision of cease-fire of conflict area or to maintain international peace and security. It was under this resolution that United Nations emergency forces (UNEF) were sent to Egypt during suez crisis. Later on these forces were sent to Congo in 1960 to maintain law and order in that state. Since the passing of the said resolution, Russia and France have opposed this resolution. Bcz both suggest that it is the duty of SC, under the charter, to maintain peace and security. Consequently, both denied to pay their due share to UN. UN requested ICJ to give its advisory opinion in this regard as per para 2 of Article 17.

ICJ ruled in favour of GA. And said that the latter is entitled to perform all those functions which are not prohibited under the charter and which are performed for the fulfilment of the purpose of charter as laid down in Article 1.

And as far as expenses of mission were concerned ICJ asked the countries to pay. But both refused to pay. A complete violations of Article 19.

4. Elective functions:

 It. Perform two elective functions 

A. Regarding admission, suspension and expulsion of  states. 

B. Election of members for other organs.

GA also act as a source of International law.