5IF 6OJUFE /BUJPOT 'BNJMZ The UN Charter establishes six main organs of the United Nations. This is a summary of their composition and functions: THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY All members of the United Nations (currently 192) are represented in the General Assembly. Each nation, rich or poor, large or small, has one vote. Decisions on such issues as international peace and security, admitting new members and the UN budget are decided by a twothirds majority. Other matters are decided by simple majority. In recent years, a special effort has been made to reach decisions through consensus, rather than by taking a formal vote. The General Assembly’s regular session begins each year in September and continues throughout the year. At the beginning of each regular session, the Assembly holds a general debate at which Heads of State or Government and others present views on a wide-ranging agenda of issues of concern to the international community, from war and terrorism to disease and poverty.
The green and gold General Assembly Hall accommodates all 192 delegations. Each delegation has six seats, and there is a gallery for the media and the public, making a total of 1,898 seats.
In 2005, world leaders gathered at UN Headquarters in New York for the General Assembly High Level Summit and to commemorate the Organization’s 60th birthday. Each year, the Assembly elects a president who presides over–that is, runs–the meetings.
Functions
President of the 62nd Session of the General Assembly, Dr. Srgjan Kerim of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
The United Nations Family
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To discuss and make recommendations on any subject (except those being dealt with at the same time by the Security Council);
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To discuss questions related to military conflicts and the arms race;
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To discuss ways and means to improve the state of children, youth, women and others;
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To discuss the issues of sustainable development and human rights;
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To decide how much each Member country should pay to run the United Nations and how this money is spent.
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