With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:

The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

The United Nations General Assembly can grant observer status to non-member states. The UN General Assembly granted observer state status to Palestine in 2012.
Inter-governmental organizations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly. Various UN agencies and inter-governmental organizations have observer status within IOM. Inter-governmental organizations can be observer organizations in UNFCCC.
Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters. Permanent observers maintain missions at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Therefore, options 1, 2 and 3 are correct.

The United Nations General Assembly can grant Permanent Observer Status to:
- Non-member states
- Inter-governmental organizations
- Non-governmental organizations
- Other entities
Observer status allows these entities to participate in the sessions and work of the UN General Assembly.
Permanent Observers can maintain missions at the UN Headquarters and have access to UN facilities and documentation.
Granting permanent observer status is based on UN General Assembly practice and resolutions, not on provisions in the UN Charter.
The UN General Assembly’s Sixth Committee first considers applications for observer status before they are voted on in the plenary session.
Currently, two non-member states have permanent observer status – the Holy See and Palestine.
Over 240 non-governmental organizations and 115 inter-governmental organizations have observer status.