United Nations

General Assembly
The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the
UN. All 193 Member States of the UN are represented in the General Assembly, making it the only
UN body with universal representation. Each year, in September, the full UN membership meets in
the General Assembly Hall in New York for the annual General Assembly session, and general
debate, which many heads of state attend and address. Decisions on important questions, such as
those on peace and security, admission of new members and budgetary matters, require a two-thirds
majority of the General Assembly. Decisions on other questions are by a simple majority. The
General Assembly, each year, elects a GA President to serve a one-year term of office.

UN Conventions
1
‍ . Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2008)
The purpose of the present Convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full and
equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities,
and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or
sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective
participation in society on an equal basis with others.
Link: https://social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/crpd/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-crpd

2. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979)

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW) is an international legal instrument that requires countries to eliminate discrimination
against women and girls in all areas and promotes women’s and girls’ equal rights.
Link: https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2016/12/cedaw-for-youth#:~:text=The
%20Convention%20on%20the%20Elimination,women's%20and%20girls'%20equal%20rights.

3. Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)

Contained in this treaty is a profound idea: that children are not just objects who belong
to their parents and for whom decisions are made, or adults in training. Rather, they are human
beings and individuals with their own rights. The Convention says childhood is separate from
adulthood, and lasts until 18; it is a special, protected time, in which children must be allowed to
grow, learn, play, develop and flourish with dignity. The Convention went on to become the most
widely ratified human rights treaty in history and has helped transform children’s lives.‍
Link: https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention

4. International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (1965)

The International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)
commits all State parties (currently 176) to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination and to
promote understanding amongst all races.
Article 1 of the Convention states that racial discrimination is “any distinction, exclusion,
restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has
the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an
equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social,
cultural or any other field of public life.”
Link: https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-convention-elimination-all-
forms-racial

‍ . International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966)

5
‍ ICCPR is an international human rights treaty adopted in 1966. ICCPR rights enable people to enjoy
a wide range of human rights, including those relating to: 1) freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment, 2) fair trial rights, 3) freedom of thought, religion and expression, 4)
privacy, home and family life, and 5) equality and non-discrimination.
Link: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/our-human-rights-work/monitoring-and-promoting-un-treaties/
international-covenant-civil-and#:~:text=ICCPR%20is%20an%20international%20human,fair%20trial
%20rights

6. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966)

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) replaces the rights originally
outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The ICESCR was and supports people's rights to:
1. work under good conditions and choose to join a trade union
2. basic needs, like food, housing and clothes
3. access healthcare when needed
4. go to school and get an education
5. get money from the government if they are on a low income
6. have time with family and access support like paid leave to care for children or parents
7. take part in cultural events and celebrations.
Link: https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/cescr/background-covenant#:~:text=The%20ICESCR%20aims
%20to%20ensure,Right%20to%20work

7. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT) (1984)
This is the most important international human rights treaty that deals with torture and pushes for its
universal eradication. The Convention hopes to unite States to fight against torture and take affirmative action
to prevent its use, both domestically and as members of the international community of States.
Specifically, the Convention requires State parties to criminalise torture under its national laws, take
action to investigate and prosecute complaints, train personnel, and provide redress to victims. Prohibiting
and preventing torture rely heavily on enforcement through domestic institutions, and this is where the work of
CTI is primarily focused. Further, the Convention creates a means to monitor implementation of the
Convention’s provisions through an international mechanism, the UN Committee against Torture. ‍
Link: https://cti2024.org/un-convention-against-torture/#:~:text=UN%20Convention%20against%20Torture
%20(UNCAT,pushes%20for%20its%20universal%20eradication.
8. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
The Declaration is the most comprehensive instrument detailing the rights of indigenous peoples in
international law and policy, containing minimum standards for the recognition, protection and promotion of
these rights. It establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity, wellbeing
and rights of the world's indigenous peoples.
The Declaration addresses both individual and collective rights; cultural rights and identity; rights to
education, health, employment, language, and others. It outlaws discrimination against indigenous peoples
and promotes their full and effective participation in all matters that concern them. It also ensures their right to
remain distinct and to pursue their own priorities in economic, social and cultural development. The
Declaration explicitly encourages harmonious and cooperative relations between States and indigenous
peoples.
Link: https://www.ohchr.org/en/indigenous-peoples/un-declaration-rights-indigenous-peoples

Funds and Programmes

UNDP
Headquarters: New York City, USA
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in nearly 170 countries and
territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and build resilience so countries can
sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping
countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNEP
Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established in 1972, is the voice
for the environment within the United Nations system. UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate,
educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global
environment.

UNFPA
Headquarters: New York City, USA
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency for delivering a world
where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, and every young person's potential is
fulfilled.

UN-HABITAT
Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
The mission of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) is to
promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the
achievement of adequate shelter for all.

UNICEF
Headquarters: New York City, USA
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in 190 countries and territories to save
children’s lives, to defend their rights, and to help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood
through adolescence.

WFP
Headquarters: Rome, Italy
The World Food Programme aims to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. The world’s largest
humanitarian agency, WFP helps almost 100 million people in approximately 88 countries with
assistance every year through food or cash distributions and more. The World Food Programme
was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.

ASEAN
ASEAN Summit
The ASEAN Summit is the highest policy-making body in ASEAN comprising the Heads of
State or Government of ASEAN Member States. As per regular practice, the ASEAN Summit
Meetings shall be held twice annually at a time to be determined by the Chair of the ASEAN Summit
in consultation with other ASEAN Member States, to be hosted by the ASEAN Member State holding
the ASEAN Chairmanship. The First ASEAN Summit was held in Bali, Indonesia on 23-24 February
1976.