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2024 Handbook

General Assembly Plenary (Concurrent)

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The General Assembly Plenary considers issues that are best addressed in a comprehensive manner or that require coordinating work between many bodies of the United Nations. The Plenary has the widest latitude of the deliberative bodies to discuss and pass resolutions on a wide variety of topics. For example, the 60th General Assembly established a Peacebuilding Commission that oversees the United Nations peacebuilding processes and coordinates the work of the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Secretary-General and Member States emerging from conflict situations. Note: if the Security Council, which is given the primary task of ensuring peace and security by the Charter, is discussing a particular issue, the General Assembly Plenary will cease its own deliberations and defer to the Security Council. Additionally, only the Fifth Committee is able to set or discuss the United Nations budget. No other body, including the Plenary, is able to do so.

The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment

The right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment focuses on a person’s right to a safe climate, clean air and access to safe water free from contamination. Climate change, unsound management of chemicals, and pollution of air, land and water have created conditions which negatively impact the effective enjoyment of all human rights. Environmental degradation is a key driver of fragility and disproportionately impacts the developing world. 76 percent of people who face food insecurity are affected by climate shocks and the effects of climate change could push another 100 million below the poverty line by 2030. Since 1988, 71 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to 100 businesses. A clean, healthy and sustainable environment is necessary to the full enjoyment of human rights and Member States bear both an obligation and a vital role in ensuring the preservation of such conditions.

In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights established a common standard of decency for all peoples, including the right every person has to life, liberty and security. By 1972, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) enacted the Stockholm Declaration on Human Environment, recognizing that, while natural resources are necessary for development, both renewable and nonrenewable resources must be used in a manner that is sustainable and enhances future development. Following the first World Climate Conference in 1979, the Conference made an appeal to nations calling them to foresee and prevent man-made changes in climate that might be adverse to the well-being of humanity. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its first assessment in 1990 and predicted global warming could lead to rising sea levels, negatively affecting coastal populations, and also radically alter vector and viral disease patterns.

In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), otherwise known as the Earth Summit, was held in Rio De Janeiro. Directly following the Summit, the United Nations released the Rio Declaration on Environment & Development, which recognized that humans are entitled to a healthy and productive life with nature, but also that a clean environment and sustainable human development are interdependent on each other. In 1994, the United Nations ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), calling States Parties to limit anthropogenic emissions and engage in capacity building to promote sustainable development. Three years later, the United Nations expanded the UNFCCC through the Kyoto Protocol, committing industrialized and developing nations to reduce carbon emissions, especially in the business sector. In 2012, the Human Rights Council (HRC) established a mandate for the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The mandate focuses on the human rights obligations Member States have related to climate change policy and identifying obstacles Member States face in implementing the mandate. Following the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21), the Paris Agreement went into force and marked the first global commitment towards net zero emissions. The Agreement established a global framework towards emission reduction, climate adaptation and capacity building with a focus on providing equitable access to technology for developing nations to improve their environment. While the Paris Agreement has been effective at normalizing conversations around net zero emissions and shifting the technology sector towards sustainable clean energy, emissions and fossil fuel production continue to rise.

In 2022, the United Nations General Assembly recognized a sustainable environment is essential to promote the well-being of people, but unsustainable resource management and the pollution of air, land and water negatively impacted the enjoyment of human rights. Due to these concerns, the General Assembly established a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right. The United National Development Program (UNDP), recognizing COVID-19 increased environmental inequality, enacted the UNDP Strategic Plan, 2022-2025. The Strategic Plan focuses on transitioning to green technology in an equitable and resilient manner to find innovative solutions towards solving the climate crisis. However, despite efforts from the United Nations to encourage corporations to engage environmentally-sound business practices, companies continue to make billions of dollars while exacerbating the climate emergency, causing the deaths of millions. The Special Rapporteur on the human right to a healthy environment notes that lobbyists continue to push back against efforts to move away from fossil fuels and businesses continue to contaminate food and water sources, creating pollution hotspots and destroying biodiversity.

While the recognition of a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right is an important step towards sustainable development, the next step is moving from strategizing to implementing. Detailed action plans with clear accountability can make environmental policy an intrinsic part of other sectors including transportation, housing and education. Greenwashing continues to be a major obstacle by misleading the public to believe companies are adequately responding to the climate crisis, thus preventing Member States from enforcing climate regulations. One possible solution is establishing a global framework holding transnational corporations accountable for environmental crimes. Member States can also improve accountability of corporations through collaborations, pressures and incentives that increase transparency and allow for a more just transition towards sustainable energy.
Questions to consider from your country’s perspective:

  • How can existing human rights frameworks be applied to address environmental issues and ensure the protection of environmental rights for all individuals and communities?
  • What measures can be taken to enhance International cooperation and solidarity in tackling transboundary environmental challenges such as climate change pollution and unsustainable resource management?
  • How can the United Nations support Member States in holding transnational corporations accountable for hampering the fundamental human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment?

Bibliography Bibliography

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United Nations Documents United Nations Documents

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Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel

363 million people are in need of humanitarian aid due to persecution, conflict, violence and human rights violations. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) coordinates thousands of humanitarian missions annually, many of which take place in high-risk environments. These humanitarian missions are critical to defusing crises and upholding international law, but attacks against humanitarian personnel are a serious concern. In 2022, safety and security incidents affected 1,6,14 United Nations personnel and 812 humanitarian personnel. The rapid spread of disinformation against the United Nations surrounding humanitarian operations contributes to the targeting of humanitarian and United Nations personnel. 

In 1949, the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field established the right of the protection for humanitarian workers during crises. Early forms of protection for humanitarian workers focused on ensuring the safety of medical workers, however the Convention did not protect medical workers providing care to civilians. In 1977, the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol 1) created additional measures increasing the safety and security of humanitarian personnel providing aid to civilians. In 1994, the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel imposed criminal liability for attacking United Nations personnel and established a process for prosecuting alleged offenders of the Convention. By 1998, the United Nations further expanded safety and security of humanitarian personnel providing disaster relief through the Tampere Convention on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations.

Following the Canal Hotel Bombing of 19 August 2003, the United Nations recognized the need to address the shortcomings and gaps surrounding the safety of United Nations Personnel. On 20 October 2003, the Report of the Independent Panel on the Safety and Security of UN Personnel in Iraq revealed the security system failed to adequately analyze the situation. The report recommended improving the security system, increasing disciplinary measures for non-compliance and creating new channels for accountability. In 2005, the United Nations merged components of the Office of the United Nations Security Coordinator (UNSECOORD), the Security and Safety Services (SSS) and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) into a single security management framework and formally established the UNDSS.

In 2016, the United Nations Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) conducted an inspection of the United Nations security management system. Through this investigation, JIU raised concerns that the fragmentation and culture of the security management system created challenges in implementing effective security measures. In 2022, UNDSS established Emergency Response Teams (ERT) to provide increased security for humanitarian operations during sudden emergencies. The United Nations introduced Our Common Agenda as a vision for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One Common Agenda recognized that the spread of disinformation limits the effectiveness of humanitarian response and can be used to target humanitarian actors in conflict zones.

Despite progress, humanitarian personnel are still at risk from attacks. Budget constraints and attempts from Member States to defund human rights work have hindered critical humanitarian efforts. Politicization surrounding humanitarian personnel and lack of accountability from Member States when humanitarian personnel are subjected to human rights abuses creates challenges in ensuring the safety and security of humanitarian personnel. Increased capacity-building and establishing frameworks to monitor incidents are essential first steps to support increased protection of humanitarian personnel. Threat response training for humanitarian personnel in high-risk zones is another tool to allow humanitarian personnel to feel secure as they provide support for those in need.
Questions to consider from your country’s perspective:

  • How can UNDSS utilize Emergency Response Teams (ERT) to effectively protect humanitarian personnel?
  • What steps can Member States take to respond to the spread of disinformation surrounding humanitarian operations?
  • Can the United Nations better support humanitarian personnel through increased training and capacity-building?

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Bibliography Bibliography

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United Nations Documents: United Nations Documents:

General Assembly and Economic and Social Council Short Form

Rule Second? Debatable? Vote Required Description
6.1 Point of Order No No None Point out a misuse of the rules
6.2 Point of Information No No None Ask any question of the Chair, or gain a clarification
6.3 Point of Inquiry No No None Ask a question of a speaker at the end of their speech, prior to the Delegation’s yielding the floor
7.1 Suspension of the Meeting Yes No Simple Majority Recess the meeting for a specific period of time
7.2 Adjournment of the Meeting Yes No Simple Majority End the meeting for the year
7.3 Adjournment of Debate Yes 2 Pro
2 Con		 Simple Majority Remove from consideration any proposal on the floor without a vote on the content of that proposal
7.4 Closure of Debate Yes 2 Con Simple Majority End debate on any proposal on the floor and bring it to an immediate vote
7.5 Decision of No Action Yes 2 Pro
2 Con		 Simple Majority Only in GA Plenary sessions; signify that no action will be taken on the matter
7.6 Appealing a Decision of the Chair Yes 2 Pro
2 Con		 Simple Majority Challenge a ruling made by the Chair
7.7 Decision of Competence Yes 2 Pro
2 Con		 Simple Majority Question whether the UN body is competent to act on a certain issue within the Charter and international law
7.8 Consideration of Agenda Topics Yes No Simple Majority Change the order in which agenda items are discussed
7.9 Limits on Debate Yes 2 Pro
2 Con		 Simple Majority Impose (or repeal) a limit on the length of any form of debate
7.10 Division of the Question Yes 2 Pro
2 Con		 Simple Majority Divide a draft resolution or amendment into two or more clauses, or divide a report into two or more paragraphs, each to be voted on separately after Closure of Debate
7.11 Reconsideration of Proposals Yes 2 Con 2 / 3 Majority Reconsider an item on which debate has been adjourned or upon which a vote has been taken
7.12 Important Question Yes 2 Pro
2 Con		 Simple Majority Only in GA Plenary sessions; requires a 2/3 majority vote to adopt a draft resolution or amendment
7.13 Consideration of Draft Resolutions Yes No Simple Majority Bring a draft resolution to the floor for discussion
7.14 Consideration of Amendments No No None Bring an amendment to the floor for discussion

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