What is a GA?

General Assemblies (also known as GAs) are the bread and butter of Model UN. They are meant to most accurately represent the various bodies of the United Nations. Delegates represent UN member nations in a large committee format with broad topics like world hunger or income inequality. Some examples of GAs:

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) - A UN organization specialized in international world health

  • Disarmament and International Security (DISEC) - The UN’s first General Assembly committee which focuses on international peace and disarmament of nation states

  • Special Political and Decolonization (SPECPOL) - The UN’s fourth general assembly which deals with a cluster of decolonization agenda items and oversees peacekeeping missions

In General Assemblies, parliamentary procedure is followed to the letter. Much of debate in a GA follows a strict structure and often you may see 30 to 100 delegates participating. Debate is usually centered around 2-3 topic areas set by the chair before the conference begins. In a World Health Organization, you may see topics such as

Topic 1: Adolescent Nutrition or

Topic 2: Climate Change and Public Health.

These topics are not only what delegates will research for and debate about but also will be the target of documents called resolutions. Resolutions are pieces of legislation created by delegates dictating the will of the committee, they contain clauses that not only lay foundation for the purpose of the resolution but also exactly what operations they intend to be executed. At the end of the conference, generally 2-3+ resolutions will be debated, amended, and then voted on!