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United Nations General Assembly: Functions, Themes and Significance
1. What is the UNGA?
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is one of the six principal organs of the UN and serves as its main policy-making body. It provides all 193 member states equal representation with one vote each. Formed in 1945 with 51 founding members, it has since grown to include nearly all sovereign nations. In addition, two non-member observer states (Vatican City and Palestine) and one observer member (European Union) also participate.
2. Why does it meet every year?
The UNGA convenes annually in September at UN headquarters in New York. Its purpose is to provide a forum for world leaders to deliberate on pressing issues such as peace, security, development, and human rights. It also serves as a platform for policy announcements, building consensus, and international cooperation.
3. Speaking order and traditions
✔ Brazil traditionally speaks first, followed by the United States, then other nations by order of rank and registration.
✔ Heads of state, heads of government, ministers, and other representatives speak in a first-come system.
✔ Leaders are expected to limit speeches to 15 minutes, though some have lasted more than 4 hours.
4. Themes and focus areas
Each year, the General Assembly adopts a unifying theme. In 2025, the guiding theme is “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.” Leaders are expected to address major challenges such as:
✔ Gaza Conflict: Ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, humanitarian crises, and food insecurity.
✔ Ukraine War: Calls for ending the conflict that began with Russia’s invasion in 2022.
✔ Climate Change: Urgent actions to limit warming to 1.5°C, promote renewable energy, and fund adaptation.
✔ Women’s Rights: Marking 30 years since the 1995 Beijing World Conference on Women, leaders will push for full participation of women in public life.
✔ Leadership Transition: Preparations for choosing a new UN Secretary-General when Antonio Guterres’ term ends in December 2026.
5. Significance of the annual session
✔ Provides all countries—big or small—an equal platform to present their views.
✔ Shapes the agenda for international cooperation and norm-setting.
✔ Offers smaller nations an opportunity to raise issues like climate vulnerability, debt distress, and humanitarian concerns.
✔ Acts as a diplomatic arena where bilateral and multilateral negotiations occur on the sidelines.
Synopsis
The UNGA is the only global forum where every member state has an equal voice. Its annual September session in New York deliberates urgent concerns ranging from armed conflicts to women’s rights and climate change. By combining symbolic speeches with behind-the-scenes diplomacy, the Assembly reinforces the principles of multilateralism, cooperation, and peacebuilding.