This Day in the Law
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January 10

United Nations General Assembly Meets for First Time (1946)


On January 10, 1946, the United Nations ("UN") General Assembly met for the first time at Westminster Central Hall in London, England, and included 51 representative nations.

The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II as an international organization to replace the League of Nations, and promote international peace, security, human rights, social development, and open dialogue among member countries. The UN contains multiple organizations with 5 main bodies.

In particular, the 5 main bodies of the UN include: (i) the General Assembly (main deliberative body), (ii) the Security Council (deals with certain peace and security issues), (iii) the Secretariat (provides resources such as research and facilities for the UN), (iv) the International Court of Justice (judicial body of the UN to hear certain disputes), and (v) the Economic and Social Council (works to promote social and economic development). [Other bodies include the Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs, which is legal publication on UN nations, and the Trustee Council, now essentially a dormant body originally established to supervise the advancement and self-government of nations].

The UN General Assembly is one body within the UN where all member nations have equal representation – each member country gets 1 vote. The members vote on many important decisions, including: recommendations on peace and security; budgetary issues; admission, suspension, and expulsion of members; appointment of non-members to the Security Council; and recommendations for General Assembly Resolutions. However, General Assembly Resolutions are generally not legally enforceable. That’s because the General Assembly lacks the power to enforce its resolutions. Still, most countries abide by the General Assembly Resolutions or they face the possibility of UN sanctions and/or removal.

Many developing countries aim to be part of the UN because they view the UN as a vital resource to voice their countries’ opinions with the more developed nations on a somewhat level playing field.

Since the first General Assembly meeting on this day January 10, 1946, membership has grown from just over 50 nations to more than 190 nations – which include nearly every sovereign nation in the world.