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The General Assembly of the United Nations Organization
Introduction
The General Assembly is one of the organs of the United Nations Organization. This is the only organ in which every member-states is equally represented. This is the arena also where each member-state has the same number of votes.
The General Assembly is mandated to meet once a year and that is in September but emergency meetings could be called, within 24 hours, if any seven members of Security Council or a majority of them request it.
The very first session of the General Assembly was convened in London on 10th January 1946 with 51 nations in attendance.
The General Assembly is mandated to meet once a year and that is in September but emergency meetings could be called, within 24 hours, if any seven members of Security Council or a majority of them request it.
The very first session of the General Assembly was convened in London on 10th January 1946 with 51 nations in attendance.
FUNCTIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Approves Budget
After the organization's annual budget is prepared, it is the General Assembly that must discuss it and give its approval before it can be implemented. It is the General assembly that determines what each member state must contribute monetary-wise for the running of the organization.
Appointment of Non-permanent
members
It is also its function to appoint
the ten non-permanent members of the Security Council. It has the power to appoint the
Secretary-General of the UN but this must be based on the recommendation of the Security
Council.
Receives Reports
Reports written by the other organs of the United Nations such as the Security Council and the specialized agencies like the World Health Organization are sent to the General-Assembly which is mandated to receive them.
Forum for Discussion
The General Assembly also serves as a forum where matters of international importance are deliberated upon. It also discusses anything pertains to the creation and maintenance of world peace.
Admissions and Suspensions
The General Assembly has the
power to admit new members into their fold based on the recommendations of the
Security Council. It can also suspend or even expel errand member-states.
Appointment of Judges
Another function of the General Assembly is to appoint judges to the International Court of Justice. However, this can only be done upon the recommendations of
the Security Council.
LIMITATIONS OF THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
Matters before the Security
Council
Unless a matter has been referred to the General Assembly, it does not have the mandate to discuss it. As a rule, the General Assembly cannot make recommendations on all matters before the Security
Council. It can only do so when it is referred to it.
Matters affecting Peace
The General Assembly is required
to refer to the Security Council any matter affecting the peace and security of
the world.
Resolutions of the General Assembly
Except for purposes of the payment of a country's financial obligations to the United Nations, the resolutions that are passed at the meetings of the General Assembly are not binding on the members of the organization. However, after Resolution 377 was passed in November 1950, the General Assembly could take action where there is a threat to peace, a breach of the peace or there is an act of aggression.
The one state, one vote concept
Though it is seen to be democratic that each member of the General Assembly has one vote, it has been argued that it does not reflect the demographic structure of the world. When votes are cast in the General Assembly, countries that represent just five per cent of the world's population get to pass resolutions by a two-thirds majority. This does not sound democratic enough.
Lack of power of enforcement
The General assembly, as a body, is unable to enforce its resolutions in any legal or practical way. This is because it does not have the power of enforcement regarding a lot of issues that are before it.
Resolutions of the General Assembly
Except for purposes of the payment of a country's financial obligations to the United Nations, the resolutions that are passed at the meetings of the General Assembly are not binding on the members of the organization. However, after Resolution 377 was passed in November 1950, the General Assembly could take action where there is a threat to peace, a breach of the peace or there is an act of aggression.
The one state, one vote concept
Though it is seen to be democratic that each member of the General Assembly has one vote, it has been argued that it does not reflect the demographic structure of the world. When votes are cast in the General Assembly, countries that represent just five per cent of the world's population get to pass resolutions by a two-thirds majority. This does not sound democratic enough.
Lack of power of enforcement
The General assembly, as a body, is unable to enforce its resolutions in any legal or practical way. This is because it does not have the power of enforcement regarding a lot of issues that are before it.
SAMPLE QUESTION
1. a. Describe the composition of the General Assembly of the United Nations
b. Highlight five functions of the General Assembly
2. a. Describe the composition of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization.
b. Highlight five limitations of the General Assembly.
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2. a. Describe the composition of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization.
b. Highlight five limitations of the General Assembly.
OBJECTIVE
QUESTIONS ON THE UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION
Test
One
1.
The Secretary of State of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is appointed
for a period of
A.
three years
B.
five years
C.
seven years
D.
nine years
2.
The use of Veto power in the United Nations is only exercised by the
A.
economic and Social Council
B.
International Court of Justice
C.
Trusteeship Council
D.
Security Council
3.
The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is
made up of
A.
25 members
B.
26 members
C.
27 members
D.
28 members
4.
the most important achievement of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is the
A.
election of a Secretary-General from Africa
B.
prevention of another World War
C.
increase in its membership
D.
settlement of cases of election rigging
5.
The major aim of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is to
A.
maintain international peace and security
B.
co-ordinate and supervise the activities of specialized agencies
C.
promote sports among all nations
D.
stabilize the price of oil in the market
6.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is an agency of the
A.
Organization of African Unity (OAU)
B.
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
C.
Commonwealth of Nations
D.
United Nations Organization
7. The Headquarters of the United Nations
Organization (UNO) is located at
A.
New York
B.
Addis Ababa
C.
Vienna
D.
London
8.
The international organization, formed after the Second World war to guarantee
international peace and security is called the
A.
non-aligned Movement
B.
United Nations Organization
C.
League of nations
D.
Casablanca Group
9.
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is one of the specialized agencies of
A. Organization of African Union (OAU)
B.
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
C.
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
D.
United Nations Organization (UNO)
10.
An organ of the United Nations Organization (UNO) whose decision is binding on
all members of the
A.
Security Council
B.
Economic and Social Council
C.
Trusteeship Council
D.
International Court of Justice
Test
Two
1.
Which of the following is an organ of the United Nations Organization (UNO)?
A.
Assembly of Heads of State
B.
International Labour Organization
C.
Council of Ministers
D.
The Security Council
2.
Which of the following bodies is the most representative organ of the United Nations
Organization (UNO)?
A.
The Economic and Social Council
B.
The Trusteeship Council
C.
The Security Council
D.
The General Assembly
3.
The world organization which existed before the United Nations Organization was
the
A.
League of Nations
B.
European Economic Community
C.
Organization of African Unity (OAU)
D.
Commonwealth of Nations
4.
Which of the following is the most powerful organ of the United Nations
Organization (UNO)? The
A.
Trusteeship Council
B.
Security Council
C.
Council of Ministers
D.
Secretariat
5.
The organ of the United Nations Organization responsible for negotiating
agreements with the Specialized agencies is the
A.
General Assembly
B.
Security Council
C.
Economic and Social Council
D.
trusteeship Council
6.
The Internal Court of Justice has its Headquarters in
A.
The Hague
B.
Paris
C.
London
D.
New York
7.
Which of the following countries is a permanent member of the Security Council?
A.
India
B.
Canada
C.
China
D.
Korea
8.
October 24 of each year is universally marked as the United Nations Day because
on this day, the
A.
United Nations Organization (UNO) officially came into existence
B.
Second World War ended
C.
Two Super Powers signed the United Nations Charter
D.
Charter on Fundamental Human Rights was signed
9.
One of the objectives of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is to
A.
develop the African states
B.
maintain international peace and security
C.
ensure that workers all over the world are paid handsome wages and salaries
D.
provide ammunition for any warring state
10.
All the following organs of the United Nations Organization (UNO) have their
Headquarters in New York except the
A.
United Nations Development Project (UNDP)
B.
World Health Organization (WHO)
C.
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
D.
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Test
three
1.
The organ of the United Nations organization which consists of all the members
is called
A.
General Assembly
B.
Economic and Social Council
C.
Trusteeship Council
D.
Security Council
2.
The International Court of Justice at the Hague consists of
A.
5 judges
B.
7 Judges
C.
10 Judges
D.
15 Judges
3.
What is the nationality of the first African to become Secretary-General of the
United Nations Organization (UNO)?
A.
Ethiopia
B.
Tanzania
C.
Egyptian
D.
Nigerian
4.
Which of the following personalities did Kofi Annan succeed as the
Secretary-General of the United Nations Organization?
A.
U Thant
B.
Dag Hammarskjold
C.
Boutros Boutros Ghali
D.
Perez de Cuellar
5.
The main deliberative organ of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is the
A.
International Court of Justice
B.
Secretariat
C.
Economic and Social Council
D.
General Assembly
6. The “Uniting for Peace” resolution of the
United Nations Organization (UNO) was adopted in
A.
1945
B.
1947
C.
1950
D.
1960
7.
The veto was given to the five members of the Security Council of the United
Nations Organization (UNO) is necessary because it
A.
makes them respect the UNO and helps her achieve her objectives.
B.
gives due respect to whom honour is due.
C.
makes apartheid South Africa fear the UNO
D.
brings the big powers into an agreement on the big issues.
8.
The United Nations day is celebrated on
A.
March 14th
B.
May 5th
C.
October 24th
D.
September 17th
9.
The United Nations Secretary-General is appointed by the
A.
Secretariat
B.
Economic and Social Council
C.
International Court of Justice
D.
General Assembly
10.
The international organization which was formed after the Second World War to
guarantee international peace and security is the
A.
World Bank
B.
United Nations Organization
C.
League of Nations
D.
British Commonwealth of nations
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