Functions and Powers of UNO (United Nations Organizatoin)

Functions and Powers:

Under the Charter, the functions and powers of the General Assembly include:

1.     To consider and make recommendations on the principals of cooperation in the maintenance of international peace and security, including the principles governing disarmament and arms regulation;

a.     To discuss any questio n relating to international peace and security and, expect where a dispute or situation is being discussed by he Security Council, to make recommendations on it.

2.     To discuss and, with the same exception, make recommendations on any question within the scope of the Charter or affecting the powers and functions of any organ of the United Nations;

a.     To initiate studies and make recommendations to promote international political cooperation, the development and codification of international law, the realization of human rights and fundamental freedom for all, and international collaboration in economic, social, cultural, educational and health fields;

3.     � To make recommendations for the peaceful settlement of any situation, regardless of origin, which might impair friendly relations among nations.

4.     To receive and consider reports from the Security Council and other United Nations organs;

a.     To consider and approve the United Nations budget and to

b.     apportion  contributions among members;

5.     To elect the non- permanent members of the Security Council, the members of the Economic and Social Council and those members of the Trusteeship Council that are elected

6.     To elect jointly with the Security Council the judges of the International Court of Justice; and, on the recommendation of the Security Council; to appoint the Secretary- General.

The General Assembly's regular session usually begins each year in September. The 200-2001 session, for example, is the fifty-fifth regular session of the General Assembly. At the stat of each regular session, the Assembly elects a new presisdent,21 vice-presidents and the chair persons of the Assembly's six main committees. To ensure equitable geographical representatives, the presidency of the Assembly rotates each year among five groups of States: African, Asian, Eastern European, Latin American and Caribbean, and Western European and other States.

In addition to its regular sessions, the Assembly may meet in special sessions at the request of the Security Council, of a majority of Member States. Once member may call emergency special session within 24 hours of a request by the Security Council on the vote of any nine Council members, or by a majority of the United Nations members, or if the majority of members concurs.

At the beginning of each regular session, the Assembly holds a general debate, often addressed by heads of state and government, in which member states express their views on the most pressing international issues.