All members, five representatives each and a two-thirds majority: how the General Assembly is composed and votes

Background

Chapter IV of the Charter of the United Nations governs the General Assembly. Article 9 provides that the General Assembly consists of all the Members of the United Nations, and that each Member shall have not more than five representatives in the Assembly. Article 18 provides that each member of the General Assembly has one vote, and that decisions on important questions are made by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting. Those important questions include recommendations on the maintenance of international peace and security, the admission of new Members and budgetary questions. Article 17 provides that the General Assembly shall consider and approve the budget of the Organization, and that the expenses of the Organization shall be borne by the Members as apportioned by the Assembly.