TCMUN
GA3
General Third Assembly Committee
The General Assembly is the main deliberative and policy-making body in the United Nations system.1 With its universal membership, the General Assembly makes policy recommendations to actors at all levels, including governments, regional organizations, and other United Nations bodies.2 Its work is spread across six Main Committees, each of which discusses topics within a thematic area, adopting resolutions that are then considered by the broader General Assembly Plenary.3 The General Assembly Third Committee is mandated to discuss all matters related to social, humanitarian, and cultural affairs, including human rights issues.4 This involves a wide variety of agenda items, including: advancement of women; protection of children; treatment of refugees through the elimination of racism and discrimination; promotion of fundamental freedoms and the right to self-determination; indigenous issues; and a range of social matters such as issues related to youth, family, ageing, persons with disabilities, crime prevention, criminal justice, and international drug control.5
Chairs
Topic 1:
Protection of and Assistance for Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons
In 2023, the UNHCR reported that over 117 million people were forcibly displaced due to conflict, persecution, human rights violations, and climate change, including 43.4 million refugees and 68.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). Yet, only 1% of displaced individuals are able to return home. Refugees, IDPs, and returnees face different legal protections: refugees are protected under international law, while IDPs and returnees often lack such safeguards. These groups—especially women and children—face heightened risks such as violence, lack of shelter, and poor access to healthcare, made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most displaced persons reside in developing countries, which strains their resources. Although global efforts exist to protect the displaced, many governments struggle to meet these obligations due to limited capacity and competing priorities.
Topic 2:
The Human Rights to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation
The United Nations recognizes access to safe drinking water and sanitation as fundamental human rights, essential for health, dignity, and development. Despite this, 2.3 billion people still lack clean water, and nearly half the global population lacks safe sanitation. These challenges are central to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 6. However, current efforts are insufficient, and UN reports call for tripling progress to meet targets by 2030. Achieving these rights also supports other goals like health, hunger reduction, and climate action. Low- and middle-income countries face barriers such as limited funding and capacity, prompting calls for international cooperation and targeted policies to support the most vulnerable populations.