Within the structure of the United Nations Organisation (UNO), which organ is regarded as the main deliberative body representing all member states?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: General Assembly

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of the basic structure of the United Nations Organisation and, in particular, which organ serves as the central deliberative forum for all member states. Knowing the role of the General Assembly compared with the Security Council, the Secretariat and other organs is essential for any student of international relations and general knowledge.


Given Data / Assumptions:
• The organ being asked about is described as the main body of the United Nations Organisation and the primary deliberative forum.
• Four options are provided: Trusteeship Council, General Assembly, Security Council and Secretariat.
• It is assumed that you understand the broad functions of each major UN organ, even if you do not know all their detailed powers.


Concept / Approach:
The key concept is that the General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. All member states are represented in the General Assembly, each with one vote, and it discusses questions of international concern. While the Security Council has primary responsibility for international peace and security, it has only fifteen members and is not the general forum for all countries. The Secretariat is the administrative arm, and the Trusteeship Council has largely completed its work. Therefore, the answer must focus on representation and deliberation rather than enforcement.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that every member state of the UN sits in the General Assembly and can debate, propose resolutions and vote on wide-ranging issues.Step 2: Compare this with the Security Council, which has permanent and non-permanent members and focuses mainly on peace and security decisions that are binding.Step 3: The Secretariat, led by the Secretary-General, carries out day-to-day administrative and technical work and is therefore not a deliberative body of all states.Step 4: The Trusteeship Council was created to supervise trust territories and has become inactive since those territories achieved self-government or independence.Step 5: Because the question asks for the main body in terms of deliberation and representation of all member states, the correct organ is the General Assembly.


Verification / Alternative Check:
A quick way to verify the answer is to recall key UN descriptions: the General Assembly is always called the “main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ” of the United Nations. This phrase is used repeatedly in textbooks and on official UN materials, confirming its role as the central body where all members meet regularly. None of the other organs are described in this way, which reinforces your choice.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
• Trusteeship Council: Its work was limited to administering trust territories and is now largely finished, so it cannot be considered the main UN body.
• Security Council: Although powerful, it is restricted to fifteen members and is focused on peace and security, not general deliberation by all states.
• Secretariat: This is the administrative and executive arm of the UN, implementing decisions rather than serving as a forum for member states to debate.


Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse “main body” with “most powerful body” and therefore incorrectly choose the Security Council. Another error is to assume that the Secretariat must be the main organ because it is involved in daily work. To avoid these mistakes, focus on what the question emphasizes: a body that is representative and deliberative, which clearly points to the General Assembly.


Final Answer:
The main deliberative and representative body of the United Nations Organisation is the General Assembly.

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