With reference to the General Assembly, explain the following:

(a) Composition of the General Assembly.

(b) Its role in the promotion of international cooperation.

(c) Any four of its functions.

(a) All members of the United Nations are members of the General Assembly.

1. Each State has five representatives in the General Assembly, but each State has one vote.
2. At the start of each regular session, the Assembly elects a new President, 21 Vice-Presidents and the Chairmen of the Assembly's six Main Committees.
3. To ensure equitable geographical representation, the presidency of the Assembly rotates each year among five groups of States: Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, and Western Europe and other States.
4. Decisions on important matters are made by a two-third majority.
5. These matters include: the election of the non-permanent members of the Security Council, admission of new members, the suspension or expulsion of members, budgetary issues, etc.
6. Decisions on other questions are made by a majority of members present and voting.

(b) The role of the General Assembly in the promotion of international cooperation are as follows-

1. To consider and make recommendations on the principles of cooperation, in the maintenance of international peace and security.
2. To discuss any question relating to international peace and security and to make recommendations on it.
3. To initiate studies and make recommendations to promote international political, social, and economic cooperation.
4. To make recommendations for the peaceful settlement of disputes.

(c) Four functions of the General Assembly are as follows-

1. To receive and consider reports from the Security Council and other organs of the United Nations.
2. To consider and approve the budget of the United Nations and to apportion the contributions among members.
3. To elect the non-permanent members of the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship Council, and to elect the judges of the International Court of Justice.
4. To appoint the Secretary-General on the recommendation of the Security Council.