02 September 2010
























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Member States Identify Key Issues for GA Revitalization

New York, 17 April 2009 – Member States met on 15 April to discuss Revitalization of the General Assembly, at the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group (AHWG) on the issue. States reiterated their interest in pursuing improvements in a number of areas identified in the last GA session, including the relationship between the GA and other UN organs, the selection process for the Secretary-General, and the resources of the Office of the President of the GA.

Incorporating delegations’ comments about priorities and next steps, the co-Chairs will draft a work plan for additional meetings of the Working Group.

First Meeting of Working Group

The Revitalization of the Assembly has been on the body’s agenda for 18 years. Resolution 62/276, adopted by consensus in September 2008, renewed the Ad Hoc Working Group for the 63rd session, with a mandate to “identify further ways to enhance the role, authority, effectiveness and efficiency of the Assembly, inter alia, by building on previous resolutions.”

Comments by the President of the GA

On 15 April, GA Vice-President Raymond Wolfe, speaking on behalf of President Miguel d’Escoto, expressed his hope that results could be reached by the end of the 63rd Session. He urged States to provide concrete proposals on the matter to the co-Chairs, Ambassadors María Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador and Morten Wetlan of Norway.

The President’s statement stressed the importance of democratization and revitalization of the United Nations. He noted that the ultimate goal of the reform process was to “reestablish the balance among the principle organs of our Organization [United Nations] and to reassure that the mandates assigned to each of these organs in the Charter are fully respected”.   

Comments by Member States

Member States echoed the President’s enthusiasm for the Revitalization of the GA. Speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the representative of Algeria said that “the primary objective [is to] strengthen the role and position of the General Assembly as the chief deliberative, policy-making and representative organ of the United Nations, including by reaffirming its prerogatives regarding administrative and budgetary questions”.

This statement was supported by several Member States.

The representative of San Marino noted that having a transparent, accountable and efficient GA is of particular importance for small States, as it is the only organ where they have the opportunity to speak.

Member States touched on the following additional issues:

  • Monitoring and implementation of existing Resolutions (The European Union proposed that the “Secretary-General should, in his annual report, provide information on mandates adopted by the GA throughout the year including the state of their implementation”, which was supported by others (United States, China);

  • Introducing modern technologies into the voting system (mentioned by an overwhelming majority of participants in the meeting);

  • Process of selection of the Secretary-General (also raised by many delegations); and

  • Strengthening of the office of the President of the GA.

Lastly, the relationship between the General Assembly and other organs was discussed. Special concern was raised regarding the division of labor between the GA and the Security Council. The NAM noted “continuous attempts on the part of the Security Council to encroach on issues which clearly fall within the functions and powers of other principal organs of the UN, particularly the General Assembly, and their subsidiary bodies.” It stated that it would “continue to oppose any approach that seeks to or could result in undermining the achievements of the General Assembly, diminishing its current role and functioning or raising questions about its relevance or credibility.”

The question of the Assembly’s relationship with the Security Council also will be deliberated by Member States in the context of negotiations on reform of the Council itself on Monday, 20 April.

Next Steps

The co-Chairs will circulate a draft work plan to Member States, which they said will include the key issues mentioned at the meeting. The initial agenda will include:

  • Implementation of existing provisions on GA Revitalization;

  • Appointment of the Secretary-General and the role of the Assembly in this process;

  • Additional resources for the office of the President of the GA;

  • Relationship between GA and other UN bodies; and

  • Technological innovations, including within the voting process.

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