United Nations General Assembly observers
Template:Short description Template:Use Oxford spellingThe United Nations General Assembly has granted observer status to international organizations, entities, and non-member states, to enable them to participate in the work of the United Nations General Assembly, though with limitations. The General Assembly determines the privileges it will grant to each observer, beyond those laid down in a 1986 Conference on treaties between states and international organizations.[1] Exceptionally, the European Union (EU) was in 2011 granted the right to speak in debates, to submit proposals and amendments, the right of reply, to raise points of order and to circulate documents, etc. Template:As of, the EU is the only international organization to hold these enhanced rights, which has been likened to the rights of full membership,[2] short of the right to vote.
Observer status may be granted by a United Nations General Assembly resolution. The status of a permanent observer is based purely on practice of the General Assembly, and there are no provisions for it in the United Nations Charter.[3] The practice is to distinguish between state and non-state observers. Non-member states are members of one or more specialized agencies, and can apply for permanent observer state status.[3] Non-state observers are the international organizations and other entities.
Non-member observers
The General Assembly may invite non-member entities to participate in the work of the United Nations without formal membership, and has done so on numerous occasions. Such participants are described as observers, some of which may be further classified as non-member state observers. Most former non-member observer states accepted observer status at a time when they had applied for membership but were unable to attain it, due to the actual or threatened veto by one or more of the permanent members of the Security Council. The grant of observer status is made by the General Assembly only; it is not subject to a Security Council veto.
In some circumstances a state may elect to become an observer rather than full member. For example, to preserve its neutrality while participating in its work, Switzerland chose to remain a permanent non-member state observer from 1948 until it became a member in 2002.
Current non-member observers
Template:As of, there are two permanent non-member observer states in the General Assembly of the United Nations: the Holy See and the State of Palestine. Both were described as "Non-Member States having received a standing invitation to participate as Observers in the sessions and the work of the General Assembly and maintaining Permanent Observer Missions at Headquarters".[4]
The Holy See uncontroversially obtained its non-member observer state status in 1964. The Holy See did not wish to join the United Nations as a member because "Membership in the organization would not seem to be consonant with the provisions of Article 24 of the Lateran Treaty, particularly as regards spiritual status and participation in possible use of force."[5] Since April 6, 1964, the Holy See has accepted permanent observer state status, which was regarded as a diplomatic courtesy, to enable the Holy See to participate in the UN's humanitarian activities and in the promotion of peace.
In 2012, Palestine's observer status was changed from "non-member observer entity" to "non-member observer state", which many called "symbolic".[6] The change followed an application by Palestine for full UN membership in 2011[7] as part of the Palestine 194 campaign, to provide additional leverage to the Palestinians in their dealings with Israel.[8] The application had not been put to a UN Security Council vote.[9] With the change in status, the United Nations Secretariat held that Palestine was entitled to become a party to treaties for which the UN Secretary-General is the depositary.[10] On 17 December 2012, UN Chief of Protocol, Yeocheol Yoon, declared that "the designation of 'State of Palestine' shall be used by the Secretariat in all official United Nations documents."[11]
The seating in the General Assembly Hall is arranged with non-member observer states being seated immediately after UN member states, and before other observers.[12] On 10 September 2015, the General Assembly resolved to approve the raising at the UN of the flags of non-member observer states alongside those of the 193 UN member states.[13]
| Non-Member State[4] | Date observer status was granted | Additional timeline and details |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagicon Holy See | 6 April 1964: granted permanent observer state status 1 July 2004: gained all the rights of full membership except voting rights, submission of resolution proposals without co-sponsoring, and putting forward candidates (A/RES/58/314)[12] |
The sovereign entity with statehood over the territory of the Vatican City State. |
| Template:Flagicon State of PalestineScript error: No such module "anchor". |
14 October 1974: the United Nations General Assembly recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the representative of the Palestinian people, and granted it the right to participate in the deliberations of the General Assembly on the question of Palestine in plenary meetings (A/RES/3210 (XXIX))[14] |
28 October 1974: PLO recognized as "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people", by states of the seventh Arab summit (and later by over 100 states with which it holds diplomatic relations and by Israel).[23][24][25][26] 22 November 1974: PLO recognized as competent on all matters concerning the question of Palestine by the UN General Assembly in addition to the right of the Palestinian people in Palestine to national independence and sovereignty. 15 November 1988: PLO unilaterally declared the State of Palestine. 4 May 1994: PLO established the Palestinian National Authority territorial administration as result of the Oslo Accords signed by the PLO itself, Israel, United States and Russia. 7 July 1998: PLO has been assigned seating in the General Assembly Hall immediately after non-member States and before the other observers.[18][27] 23 September 2011: State of Palestine applies for UN membership[28] 17 December 2012: UN Chief of Protocol Yeocheol Yoon decides that "the designation of 'State of Palestine' shall be used by the Secretariat in all official United Nations documents."[29] |
- Notes
- The Cook Islands and Niue, both states in free association with New Zealand, are members of several UN specialized agencies, and have had their "full treaty-making capacity" recognized by United Nations Secretariat in 1992 and 1994 respectively.[30][31] The Cook Islands has expressed a desire to become a UN member state, but New Zealand has said that they would not support the application without a change in their constitutional relationship, in particular the right of Cook Islanders to New Zealand citizenship.[32]
- The Republic of China (ROC), commonly known as Taiwan, was a founding member of the United Nations representing China, which had been divided between the ROC and the People's Republic of China (PRC) since the Chinese Civil War. However, the 1971 United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 transferred China's seat in the UN from the ROC to the PRC. Since then, Taiwan has sought to resume its participation in UN activities. Various methods were considered, including seeking observer status,[33] but ultimately the ROC chose to submit more vague requests which did not specify the form of participation it sought between 1993 and 2006.[34][35] These requests have been consistently denied due to the UN's recognition of the PRC as the "legitimate representative of China to the United Nations".[36] The UN Secretary-General concluded from the resolution that the General Assembly considered Taiwan to be a province of China rather than an independent country (something that the ROC contests with the PRC), and thus it is not eligible to become party to treaties for which the UN Secretary-General is the depositary.[37]
- Other countries are recognized by the United Nations as not being self-governing and appear on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories, but are represented in the UN by their respective administering member state.[38] In 1976, Spain unilaterally abandoned its responsibilities for Western Sahara;[39] since then, the Polisario Front has been recognized as the legitimate representative of Western Sahara, though it has never been conferred observer status.[40]
Former non-member observers
Sixteen former non-member states were also granted observer status.[41][42] Fourteen of those states eventually became members of the United Nations. The other two constitute a single special case.Template:Refn
Most of the former non-member observer states accepted this status at a time when they had applied for membership but were unable to attain it, due to the (actual or threatened) veto of one or more of the permanent members of the Security Council. The vetoes were later overcome either by changes in geopolitical circumstances, or by "package deals" under which the Security Council approved multiple new member states at the same time, as was done with a dozen countries in 1955 and with East and West Germany in 1973.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
- Notes
Entities and international organizations
Script error: No such module "Hatnote". Many intergovernmental organizations and a few other entities (non-governmental organizations and others with various degrees of statehood or sovereignty), are invited to become observers at the General Assembly. Some of them maintain a permanent office in the United Nations headquarters in New York City, while others do not; however, this is the choice of the organization and does not imply differences in their status.[43]
Regional organization allowed by their member states to speak on their behalf
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While the EU is an observer, it is party to some 50 international UN agreements as the only non-state participant. It is a full participant on the Commission on Sustainable Development, the Forum on Forests and the Food and Agriculture Organization. It has also been a full participant at certain UN summits, such as the Rio and Kyoto summits on climate change, including hosting a summit. Furthermore, the EU delegation maintains close relations with the UN's aid bodies.[44] In 2011 the EU was granted enhanced powers in the General Assembly; the right to speak in debates, to submit proposals and amendments, the right of reply, to raise points of order and to circulate documents. These rights were also made open to other international organizations who requested them,[45][2] if their members have given them the right to speak on their behalf.[46]
In the resolution adopted in May 2011 granting additional rights to the European Union the UNGA decided that similar arrangements may be adopted for any other regional organization that is allowed to speak on behalf of its member states.[46]
| Organization or entity | Date observer status was granted | Entity type |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagicon image European Union[note 1] | 11 October 1974 (A/RES/3208 (XXIX)): observer status[47] 10 May 2011 (A/RES/65/276):[46] additional rights |
The only observer that operates through a hybrid system of intergovernmentalism and supranationalism, giving it some state-like qualities. |
Intergovernmental organizations
Those organizations that have permanent offices at the UN headquarters are marked with an asterisk (*).
Some of UN Specialized agencies and related organizations are having liaison offices at the UN headquarters, some were auto-granted since their establishment (i.e. without passing General Assembly resolutions).
Other entities
All five entities are maintaining permanent offices at the UN headquarters.
| Organization or entity | Date observer status was granted |
|---|---|
| Template:Flagicon image International Committee of the Red Cross | Template:Dts (A/RES/45/6)[74] |
| Template:Flagicon image International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies | Template:Dts (A/RES/49/2)[75] |
| Template:Flagicon image International Olympic Committee | Template:Dts (A/RES/64/3)[76] |
| Template:Flagicon image Inter-Parliamentary Union | Template:Dts (A/RES/57/32)[77] |
| Template:Flagicon image Sovereign Military Order of Malta | Template:Dts (A/RES/48/265)[78] |
Former observers
| Organization or entity | Date observer status was granted | Entity type |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagicon image South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) | 1976 (A/RES/31/152)[16][79] | SWAPO, a liberation movement in South West Africa, held observer status with the right to circulate communications without intermediary beginning in 1976. This terminated in 1990 when the Republic of Namibia attained independence and was granted full membership in the United Nations and SWAPO was transformed into a political party. |
National liberation movements
Throughout the 1970s, the General Assembly recognized several national liberation movements as "legitimate representatives" of colonial people, with SWAPO of Namibia and the PLO of Palestine holding non-state observer status at the General Assembly until 1990 and 2012, respectively.[40] The recognition of national liberation movements began in 1972 when the General Assembly invited liberation movements in Portuguese colonies to act as observers in relevant consultations.[80] In 1974, all national liberation movements recognized by the Organisation of African Unity were invited to regularly participate as observers in conferences.[81]
National liberation movements that participated as observers following these resolutions included:[40][82][83]
- Template:Flagicon image PAIGC of Guinea and Cabo Verde (1972–1975)
- Template:Flagicon image FRELIMO of Mozambique (1972–1975)
- Template:Flagicon image FNLA of Angola (1972–1976)
- Template:Flagicon image MPLA of Angola (1972–1976)
- Template:Flagicon image ANC of South Africa (1973–1990)
- Template:Flagicon image PAC of South Africa (1973–1990)
- Template:Flagicon image ZANU–PF of Zimbabwe (1973–1975, 1977–1980)
- Template:Flagicon image ZAPU of Zimbabwe (1973–1975)
- Template:Flagicon image UANC of Zimbabwe (1975–1977)
- Template:Flagicon image MOLINACO of Comoros (1974–1975)
Uniquely, the Polisario Front of Western Sahara is the only remaining national liberation movement recognized by the General Assembly—an "oddity as an unresolved case of decolonization and national liberation"—though it has not been granted observer status.[40]
See also
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- Member states of the United Nations
- List of current permanent representatives to the United Nations
- List of organizations with consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council
- Category:United Nations General Assembly observers
Notes
References
External links
- Full list of UNGA and ECOSOC observers with admission resolutions details, January 2010
- United Nations General Assembly
- United Nations missions in New York City
- About Permanent Observers
- Non-Member-States
- Intergovernmental and Other Organizations
- Specialized Agencies
- UN Info Quest – Organizations granted observer status in the General Assembly
- Blue Book "Permanent Missions to the United Nations No. 298" dated March 2008
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Phillips, Leigh (3 May 2011), "EU wins new powers at UN, transforming global body", EU Observer. Template:Webarchive.
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- ↑ James Crawford, The Creation of States in International Law, (1979) p. 156.
- ↑ American Society of International Law, 7 December 2012: Legal Implications of the UN General Assembly Vote to Accord Palestine the Status of Observer State Template:Webarchive, by John Cerone
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- ↑ CNN, 30 November 2012, U.N. approves Palestinian 'observer state' bid
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- ↑ UNGA, 14 October 1974; Resolution 3210 (XXIX). Invitation to the Palestine Liberation Organization (doc.nr.A/RES/3210 (XXIX)) Template:Webarchive
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- ↑ Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations Template:Webarchive: "since ... Vote in the United Nations General Assembly which accorded to Palestine Observer State Status, the official title of the Palestine mission has been changed to The Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations."
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- ↑ Israel-PLO Recognition-Exchange of Letters between PM Rabin and Chairman Arafat-Sept 9- 1993 Template:Webarchive. Mfa.gov.il (9 September 1993). Retrieved on 25 August 2013.
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- ↑ Madiha Rashid Al-Madfai, Jordan, the United States and the Middle East Peace Process, 1974–1991, Cambridge Middle East Library, Cambridge University Press (1993). Template:ISBN. p. 21:"On 28 October 1974, the seventh Arab summit conference held in Rabat designated the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and reaffirmed their right to establish an independent state of urgency."
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- ↑ UN observers: Non-member States and Entities Template:Webarchive Palestine is listed immediately after non-member States (on the same page) and before the other observers (that are on the next page).
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- ↑ UN THE WORLD TODAY (PDF) Template:Webarchive showing UN member states (blue), non-member states (green and yellow), non-self-governing territories (red) and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (gray).
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- ↑ United Nations http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/INF/63/6&Lang=E Template:Webarchive
- ↑ Description of the European Union Delegation in New York Template:Webarchive, EU Delegation to the UN
- ↑ Phillips, Leigh (15 July 2010) EU reaches out for new powers at United Nations Template:Webarchive, EU Observer
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- ↑ United Nations General Assembly, Session 71, Resolution 156, Observer status for the International Chamber of Commerce in the General Assembly Template:Webarchive, accessed 25 September 2017
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- ↑ UNGA Resolution A/RES/31/152 Template:Webarchive Observer status for the South West Africa People's Organization
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