Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly
Making its work more focused and relevant
Revitalizing the General Assembly can help ensure that the organ becomes a true, universal “parliament of nations”. Identified as a priority during the 58th session, efforts continue to be made to:
- streamline the Agenda;
- improve the practices and working methods of the Main Committees;
- enhance the role of the General Committee;
- strengthen the role and authority of the President; and
- examine the Assembly’s role in the process to select the Secretary-General.
At its 60th session, the Assembly adopted a text (annexed to resolution 60/286 of 8 September 2006) which encouraged the holding of informal interactive debates on current issues of critical importance to the international community. The text, which had been recommended by the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the General Assembly, also invited the General Assembly President to propose themes for these interactive debates.
During the 67th session, several thematic interactive debates were convened on a wide range of issues:
- the role of international criminal justice in reconciliation
; - global economic governance ;
- peaceful resolution of conflicts in Africa ;
- sustainable development and climate change ;
- culture and development ; and
- entrepreneurship for development and inequality .
It has become an established practice for the Secretary-General to brief Member States periodically, in informal meetings of the General Assembly, on his recent activities and travels. These briefings have provided a well-received opportunity for exchange between the Secretary-General and Member States.
As a result of the ongoing revitalization of its work, and pursuant to rule 30 of its rules of procedure, the General Assembly now elects its President, Vice Presidents and Chairs of the Main Committees at least three months in advance of the start of the new session in order to further strengthen coordination and preparation of work among the Main Committees and between the Committees and the Plenary.
Documents
The links below open lists of documents on the United Nations Bibliographic Information System (UNBisNet).