UPSC Prelims 2022 Q76: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
With reference to the "United Nations Credentials Committee", consider the following
statements:
1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.
2. It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year.
3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General
Assembly for approval.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 3 only
- (b) 1 and 3
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 1 and 2
Answer: (a) 3 only
Explanation
UN Credentials Committee
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Set up by the Security Council, working under it | Incorrect | It is appointed by the General Assembly at the start of each regular session |
| 2. Meets in March, June and September | Incorrect | It traditionally meets once, in November, before the Assembly's year-end business |
| 3. Assesses credentials of all members, reports to the GA | Correct | It examines members' credentials and submits a report for the General Assembly's approval |
Composition:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Members | Nine States |
| Appointed by | General Assembly, on the President's proposal |
| In the news | Credentials of Afghanistan (Taliban) and Myanmar (junta) were deferred in 2021 |
Answer: (a) 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The committee checks credentials of member States and reports to the General Assembly.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false; the committee belongs to the General Assembly, not the Security Council.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false; it does not meet in March, June and September.
- (d) Incorrect. Both 1 and 2 are false; only statement 3 is accurate.
Key point
UN Credentials Committee: nine members appointed by the General Assembly each session; examines member credentials and reports to the GA.
Remember
Credentials Committee: nine members, GA-appointed, reports to the GA.
Common mistakes
- Linking every UN committee to the Security Council.
- Accepting a precise-sounding meeting schedule (March, June, September) without checking.
- Missing the committee's role in the Taliban and Myanmar seat disputes of 2021.
Exam tip
Credentials = who represents a country = General Assembly business.
Sources
- UN General Assembly — Rules of Procedure, Rule 28 (Credentials Committee)
- UN News — Credentials Committee defers Afghanistan and Myanmar decisions (December 2021)