How and why the UN General Assembly is gaining prominence
Summary
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is becoming more important as the Security Council faces limits due to veto powers held by five countries. The UNGA, where each of the 193 member states has one vote, allows smaller and middle powers, especially from the Global South, to influence world politics and focus on issues like human rights and global inequality.Key Facts
- The UN Security Council’s five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the U.S.) can veto decisions, limiting its action on global crises.
- The UN General Assembly includes 193 member countries, each with an equal vote.
- Since 1960, the majority of member states are from the Global South, which shapes the agenda and priorities of the UNGA.
- The UNGA helped lead the creation of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, officially established in 1993.
- The General Assembly has promoted issues such as decolonization, self-determination, inequality, and human rights.
- In 2022, the UNGA used the “Uniting for Peace” resolution to act during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine when the Security Council was blocked.
- The UNGA recently passed resolutions condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza with broad support from member states.
- The UNGA reflects both the official positions of member states and global public opinion on many issues.
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