General Assembly vs. International Court of Justice

Attribute	General Assembly	International Court of Justice
Established	1945	1945
Members	193 member states	15 judges
Role	Main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN	Principal judicial organ of the UN
Decisions	Decisions are non-binding	Decisions are binding
Functions	Discuss and make recommendations on a wide range of international issues	Settle legal disputes between states and give advisory opinions on legal questions

Structure

The General Assembly and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are two important bodies within the United Nations system. The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN, composed of all 193 Member States. It meets annually in regular sessions and has the power to make recommendations on international issues. On the other hand, the ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the UN, consisting of 15 judges elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council. It settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized UN organs and specialized agencies.

Decision-making Process

One key difference between the General Assembly and the ICJ is their decision-making processes. The General Assembly operates on a principle of one country, one vote, with decisions made by a simple majority. This means that each Member State has an equal say in the decision-making process, regardless of its size or power. In contrast, the ICJ operates on a principle of judicial independence and impartiality, with decisions made by a majority of judges. This ensures that legal considerations are the primary factor in the court's rulings, rather than political or diplomatic considerations.

Functions

While both the General Assembly and the ICJ play important roles within the UN system, they have different functions and responsibilities. The General Assembly is responsible for a wide range of issues, including peace and security, development, human rights, and international law. It also elects non-permanent members of the Security Council and the Secretary-General of the UN. On the other hand, the ICJ's main function is to settle legal disputes between states and give advisory opinions on legal questions. It does not have the authority to make binding decisions on Member States, but its rulings are considered legally binding and must be followed by the parties involved.

Membership

Another difference between the General Assembly and the ICJ is their membership. The General Assembly is composed of all 193 Member States of the UN, each of which has an equal vote in the decision-making process. This ensures that all countries have a voice in the UN's deliberations and policymaking. In contrast, the ICJ is made up of 15 judges who are elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council. These judges are chosen based on their qualifications, experience, and expertise in international law, rather than their nationality or political affiliations.

Role in International Law

Both the General Assembly and the ICJ play important roles in the development and interpretation of international law. The General Assembly has the power to make recommendations on legal issues and to promote the progressive development of international law. It also has the authority to establish subsidiary bodies, such as the International Law Commission, to study and codify international law. The ICJ, on the other hand, is the primary judicial organ of the UN and is responsible for interpreting and applying international law in legal disputes between states. Its rulings help to clarify and strengthen the rules of international law, contributing to the peaceful settlement of disputes between countries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the General Assembly and the International Court of Justice are two important bodies within the United Nations system that play distinct roles in promoting peace, security, and international cooperation. While the General Assembly is the main deliberative and policymaking organ of the UN, the ICJ is the principal judicial organ responsible for settling legal disputes between states. Both bodies have their own decision-making processes, functions, and responsibilities, but they work together to uphold the principles and values of the UN Charter and international law.