In September 2005, Member States decided to "identify ways to further enhance the role, authority, effectiveness and efficiency of the General Assembly [âÀ¦] by [âÀ¦] reviewing the agenda and working methods of the Assembly." ^[1] The Outcome Document of the World Summit reaffirmed the position of the General Assembly (GA) as "the chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations" ^[2] and confirmed commitments to strengthen this body.

In November 2005, the Ambassadors of Latvia and Yemen were appointed to serve as Co-Chairs of an Ad Hoc Working Group in order to guide the process of implementation. The group agreed to emphasize three courses of action: to review the agenda of the General Assembly with the purpose of sorting out obsolete or out-dated matters; to survey the role of the Assembly given current political circumstances, in order to enhance its credibility and authority and finally to propose reforms concerning working methods of the General Assembly, so that it made more effective and efficient.

The work of the Member States then addressed the following three sectors: The General Assembly's role and authority including its relationship with the other UN bodies, the role of the Assembly in the selection process the Secretary General and its working methods and agenda.

In September 2006, the General Assembly adopted the draft resolution ^[3] and the report of the Ad Hoc Working Group. ^[4] In the following some key changes in the different reform areas are provided.

As far as the role and authority of the General Assembly is concerned, Member States reaffirmed its role regarding international peace and security with the reservation that the Security Council continues to hold its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Member States also urge the Presidents of the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council to hold periodic meetings with the purpose of sharing their program of work. Additionally the Resolution invites the Security Council to submit to the General Assembly special subject-oriented reports on issues of current concern and furthermore requests the President of the Assembly to provide a report on "lessons learnt" to his/her successor. Finally, the Resolution strongly encourages interaction with civil society, national and regional parliaments and the media.

In terms of an enhanced role of the General Assembly in the process of selection of the Secretary General, the resolution strives for a more transparent and inclusive process with due regards to regional rotation and gender equality. Furthermore formal presentations of candidatures are encouraged in order to allow sufficient time for interaction with all the Member States. It is also stressed that a candidate should be appointed at least one month before the expiration of the term of the current Secretary General.

With respect to the working methods of the General Assembly the resolution encourages Member States to submit proposals in the context of the Rules of Procedure as well as more concise resolutions. The Main Committees are requested to further improve their working methods whereas the Secretary General is requested to submit a report on the implementation of all resolutions regarding the revitalization of the Assembly. Finally, the President of the 61st General Assembly is asked to invite Member States to consider the establishment of a further Ad Hoc Working Group to continue the discussion on enhancing the role of the General Assembly.

However, at this stage, it is not yet clear if an Ad Hoc Working Group will indeed be convened during the 61st session of the General Assembly.

[1] A/RES/59/313 A strengthened and revitalized General Assembly paragraph 4

[2] A/RES/60/1 World Summit Outcome Document  paragraph 149

[3] A/RES/60/286 Revitalization of the General Assembly 

[4] A/60/999 Report of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the General Assembly