The General Assembly is the UN’s central body. It provides a platform for all 193 member states to express its views on issues affecting specific countries or the world.

At the General Assembly, member states present resolutions – a state’s position on an issue. The resolutions are non-binding but they are important because the General Assembly represents the voice of the international community and thus, the international public opinion.

All UN member states have a seat in the General Assembly. Each state is represented by a team of delegates. The delegation is usually led by a diplomat with the rank of ambassador.

Each year, in September, member states meets in the General Assembly Hall in New York for the annual General Assembly session, and General Debate, which many heads of states attend and address.

The annual gathering begins with the general debate in which heads of state or senior members of state give a speech. The general debate concludes with a discussion on the issues in the six committees of the General Assembly. Topics range from disarmament, cultural issues, international security, and the world economy. 

The General Assembly, each year, elects a President to serve a one-year term of office.

Read more about the General Assembly here.