Established in 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations, the General Assembly occupies a central position as the chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. Comprising all 192 Members of the United Nations, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter. The Assembly meets in regular session intensively from September to December each year, and thereafter as required.

The General Assembly oversees the work of the UN Development Group and many of its member entities through its Economic and Financial Committee (Second Committee). This committee deals with issues relating to economic growth and development such as macroeconomic policy questions, financing for development, sustainable development, human settlements, poverty eradication, globalization and interdependence, operational activities for development, and information and communication technologies for development.

Through its Second Committee, the General Assembly conducts a Comprehensive Policy Review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system. This resolution responds to the mandate defined by: (i) the General Assembly, which establishes key system-wide policy orientations for the development cooperation and country-level modalities of the UN system; and (ii) the Economic and Social Council, which provides coordination and guidance to the UN system to ensure that those policies are implemented.

Through the Comprehensive Policy Review, the General Assembly provides the formal intergovernmental mandates that guide the work of the UN Development Group. Comprehensive Policy Review resolutions are archived here.