Event Description

International challenges must be met with innovative responses. This is equally true when it comes to the role of the General Assembly in matters of peace and security at the United Nations. According to the UN Charter, the Security Council bears the “primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security”, but at many points in its history divisions between permanent members have prevented the Security Council from carrying out this key mandate. Yet, the UN Charter also posits a role for the General Assembly – the main deliberative, policymaking and representative principal body of the UN – to discuss and make recommendations related to peace and security. Throughout its history, the General Assembly has taken up this mandate to help advance conflict resolution and the maintenance of peace, both in cooperation with the Security Council and at moments when the Security Council is unable or unwilling to act.

Recent initiatives – such as recent emergency special sessions convened in connection with the Uniting for Peace resolution and procedural innovations such as the Veto Initiative introduced in 2022 – have reignited discussion about how to revitalize the role of the General Assembly and increase synergies between the General Assembly and the Security Council.  It is in this context, and on the occasion of the Summit of the Future, that Portugal, Ecuador, Liechtenstein, and the United Nations University would like to promote a discussion on the role of the General Assembly in peace and security. 

As a basis for the discussion, there will be a presentation on the recently published Digital Handbook for the General Assembly, as called for in resolution 77/335 on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly. The Handbook summarizes past practice, identifying the Charter-based functions, powers, and tools that the General Assembly has to respond to crises and to help maintain peace and security – a critical asset for facilitating international cooperation and response in times of crisis and inaction. This handbook will be given due visibility as a deliverable of the Summit of the Future, on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In light of this publication, this event will seek to engage high-level participants, representatives of Member States, UN agencies and members of civil society in a participatory exploration of the role the GA has had, its potential for further action, and creative aspirations for the most representative body of the UN.