What the UN General Assembly actually does — and what it can't do
Every September world leaders gather in New York. Their speeches make headlines, but the Assembly's real powers are narrower than many people think.
The United Nations General Assembly is the closest thing the world has to a global parliament. Every member state — big or small, rich or poor — has a seat and exactly one vote. Each year its new session opens in September at UN headquarters in New York, with a week of speeches by presidents and prime ministers.
What it can do
- Debate any international issue, from climate change to conflicts, and adopt resolutions expressing the world's view.
- Approve the UN budget and decide how much each country contributes — one of its few binding powers.
- Elect members of other UN bodies, including the non-permanent members of the Security Council, and, on the Security Council's recommendation, appoint the Secretary-General and admit new member states.
What it can't do
Most General Assembly resolutions are recommendations, not legally binding orders. The Assembly cannot impose sanctions or authorise the use of force — those powers belong to the Security Council, where the five permanent members hold a veto.
Why it still matters
Even without binding force, Assembly votes show where the world stands, shape international norms and give smaller countries a platform. For a country like Bangladesh, it is a place to build coalitions on issues such as climate finance, migration and the Rohingya crisis.