General Assembly Action on Peace and Security over Time
A timeline of key peace and security events since 1947 and the actions taken by the General Assembly in response, with links to Cases of Practice providing further detail.
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Links within timeline entries lead to Cases of Practice providing further detail on the General Assembly response. Explore cases of practice by Area of Practice or other criteria → All acronyms or abbreviations used in this timeline are expanded upon in the Cases of Practice or in the full list of acronyms and style changes.
1940s
1947
Guerrilla fighters in Greece⌗
Mandated a political mission (UNSCOB) to mediate between parties.
1948
Outbreak of the Arab-Israeli war⌗
Appointed the United Nations Mediator in Palestine, the first formal UN mediation of a conflict.
1950s
1950–1951
Fighting on the Korean Peninsula⌗
Following SC deadlock (leading to the creation of the UFP resolution) over the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, the GA characterized external intervention as aggression, called for a ceasefire and withdrawal of foreign forces; lent authority for continued enforcement action; and requested sanctions (arms embargo). The GA later mandated the Repatriation Commission to enable prisoner returns.
1954
Chinese nationalist forces enter Burma⌗
Supported good offices, and called for disarmament and withdrawal of foreign forces.
1956
Suez Crisis⌗
Called for a ceasefire and withdrawal of foreign forces; mandated the first armed UN peacekeeping mission (UNEF).
1956
Soviet intervention in Hungary⌗
Condemned the intervention as contrary to the UN Charter; called for cessation of attacks and withdrawal of foreign forces. The GA also supported a special investigatory committee.
1958
Infiltration of arms and foreign forces in Lebanon⌗
Called for and facilitated the withdrawal of foreign forces through expanding the tasks of the SC-created peace operation (UNOGIL); supported good offices.
1960s
1960
The Congo crisis⌗
Called on Member States to refrain from military support to conflict parties; supported mediation through a good offices committee; and lent authority for a more robust mandate for the SC-created peace operation (ONUC). The GA later extended ONUC through budgetary means.
1961
Renewed nuclear testing⌗
Responding to renewed nuclear testing and proliferation risks, the GA in 1961 and 1963 supported Member State efforts toward “denuclearized” zones in Africa and Latin America, contributing to the 1967 Treaty of Tlatelolco, which created the first nuclear-weapon-free zone.
1962
Naval clash and tensions over West New Guinea⌗
Supported good offices contributing to the Netherlands-Indonesia treaty; provided authority for the UN transitional administrative authority (a form of peace operation) to oversee the territory (UNTEA / UNSF).
1962
Growing international pressure against apartheid⌗
Called for wide-ranging sanctions and established a Special Committee to keep South Africa’s racial policies under review and report to the GA and SC.
1963
Rights violations in South Vietnam⌗
Called for and supported an FFM to investigate reported persecution and rights violations.
1965
Resolution on Western Sahara⌗
Initially called for Spain to decolonize the territory. GA resolutions in subsequent decades sought to facilitate good offices to resolve competing claims to the territory. In 1974, the GA also requested an advisory opinion from the ICJ on the territory’s legal status.
1961-1964
Independence struggles intensify in Portuguese territories⌗
As armed independence struggles spread in Angola, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique, the GA called for an end to military support and increasingly recommended sanctions (both by the SC, Member States and regional alliances) on Portugal, continuing through 1973.
1967
Southern Rhodesia declares independence⌗
Condemned the minority-rule government due to concerns of racial oppression, and called for SC action. Through 1980, the GA pressed for stronger sanctions and stricter implementation, including mandatory sanctions.
1967
Six-Day War⌗
Emphasized obligations under the Geneva Convention, recommended humanitarian support; and created a standing investigatory body (Special Committee) (1968).
1970s
1969–1987
South African activities in Namibia and southern Africa⌗
Condemned “illegal occupation” by South Africa, the resulting militarization in Namibia and other attacks by South Africa in southern Africa; called for self-determination for Namibia and military assistance to armed liberation movement; requested mandatory sanctions on South Africa, and for the SC to take enforcement action. In 1954 and 1955, the GA had referred questions related to this matter to the ICJ.
1971
Growing great-power rivalry in the Indian Ocean⌗
Following regional calls to curb great-power rivalry and military expansion, the GA declared the Indian Ocean a zone of peace in 1971 and created an Ad Hoc Committee in 1972 to support good offices and implementation.
1971
India-Pakistan hostilities over Bangladesh⌗
Called for a cessation of hostilities, urged cooperation on refugees and called on the SC to take appropriate action.
1973
Accountability measures for hostilities and rights violations in Mozambique⌗
Established an accountability mechanism to investigate reported massacres and other atrocities in Mozambique under Portuguese colonial rule.
1974
Foreign intervention in Cyprus⌗
Called for the withdrawal of foreign forces and the cessation of foreign intervention in the affairs of Cyprus; supported good offices and humanitarian efforts.
1974
India conducts its first nuclear test⌗
Following new proliferation concerns in South Asia, the GA supported a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region in 1974, and in the Middle East and South Pacific in 1975. GA support contributed to the later adoption of NWFZs by treaty in the South Pacific (1985), South-East Asia (1995) and nuclear testing limits in Africa (1996).
1975
Breakdown in Middle East peace talks ⌗
Created the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (A/RES/3376(XXX)), which took on a preparatory role to try to facilitate regional talks and wider representation and inclusion in them.
1976
Soweto uprising against apartheid in South Africa⌗
Following the violent repression of protests, the GA intensified calls for UN sanctions and other broad-based sanctioning measures. Since 1969, it had called for comprehensive, mandatory sanctions under Chapter VII, and throughout the 1970s used committees, convening power and resolutions to mobilize collective pressure through cultural, educational, sporting and other boycotts.
1978
Vietnamese invasion of Kampuchea⌗
(In 1979) Called for the withdrawal of foreign forces, and for Member States to refrain from threats or acts of aggression and interference; subsequently supported good offices and humanitarian relief for more than a decade.
1979
Soviet intervention in Afghanistan⌗
(In 1980) Deplored the armed intervention and called for the withdrawal of foreign forces, Member State support for humanitarian aid, and for SC action.
1980s
1981
Israeli attack on Iraqi nuclear installation⌗
Condemned the attack; recommended sanctioning measures (including limits on arms); and called for further SC attention and enforcement of prior resolutions.
1981
Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights⌗
Declared the annexation to be illegal and demanded that it be rescinded; subsequently declared the Israeli occupation of the territory to be “aggression”.
1982
Israeli hostilities in Lebanon⌗
Called for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces; called for accountability mechanisms and investigations into civilian harm.
1983
US-led intervention in Grenada⌗
Deplored the intervention as a violation of international law, called for its cessation and the withdrawal of foreign forces.
1986
Conflict and militarization in the South Atlantic⌗
Illustrating its extended good offices and power to convene intergovernmental processes, the GA declared the South Atlantic a Zone of Peace and Cooperation, calling for reduced foreign military presence, no nuclear weapons and an end to external rivalries in the region.
1986
US attacks on the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya⌗
Condemned the attack, called on the US to refrain from the use of force, and critiqued unilateral sanctions on the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
1989
US attacks in Panama⌗
Deplored the invasion as a violation of international law, and demanded its cessation and the withdrawal of US forces.
1990s
1990–1998
Famine and humanitarian crisis amid prolonged civil conflict in Sudan⌗
Provided a mandate for a humanitarian coordination mechanism (Operation Lifeline Sudan, OLS) and supported humanitarian negotiations and good offices, as well as other provisions aimed at humanitarian access and safeguards.
1991
Military coup in Haiti⌗
Condemned the coup; supported good offices and SC and regional action (including sanctions) to restore democratic Government; created peace operations (in 1993, 1999) to monitor human rights.
1991
Paris Peace Agreements on Cambodia⌗
Over a decade of GA-backed Secretary-General good offices and other measures led to the political settlement of the Cambodian conflict with the 1991 Paris Peace Agreements. The GA then supported the SC-mandated peace operation (UNTAC) and subsequent accountability mechanisms critical to Cambodia’s peace transition, including a Group of Experts (1998) and the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (2003).
1992
Moves toward Eritrean independence⌗
Supported good offices, and later created a peace operation to oversee a proposed referendum (UNOVER).
1992–1995
Conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina⌗
Condemned the aggression, and IHL and human rights violations; urged support for accountability mechanisms and for Member States to support defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and SC sanctions.
1993–1996
Internal conflict in Afghanistan⌗
Created a special political mission (UNSMA), enabling good offices, regional coordination and humanitarian efforts.
1994
Peace talks in Guatemala⌗
At the parties’ request, the GA created a special political mission (MINUGUA) to verify initial agreements and facilitate mediation, later leading to a permanent ceasefire and final peace agreement in 1996.
1994
Rising concern over health and environmental effects of nuclear weapons⌗
Since the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, WHO studies highlighted the health and environmental risks associated with nuclear weapons. Following a 1993 WHO request for an ICJ advisory opinion, the GA used its own Charter authority to request an ICJ advisory opinion on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons from the ICJ (1994).
1996–2001
Taliban de facto control and internal conflict in Afghanistan⌗
From 1996 to 1999, the GA called for a cessation of hostilities, for Member States not to support parties to the conflict, and for humanitarian support. It also expanded the mandate of the GA-created peace operation and established an investigatory team (an FFM) related to reports of mass killings and other serious violations.
2000s
2000
Formalizing the Kimberley Process on conflict diamonds⌗
Building on momentum from SC sanctions targeting conflict diamonds in Angola and Sierra Leone, the GA formalized the Kimberley Process in 2000, using its broader convening authority to establish an international certification scheme curbing the trade in conflict diamonds.
2002–2004
Israel building a separation wall in OPT⌗
Denounced the construction of a separation wall and demanded that Israel stop; condemned legal violations and called for an end to military incursions and violence in the OPT. In 2003, the GA requested an ICJ advisory opinion, on the legal consequences of the wall, and subsequently created a Register of Damage (2004).
2008
Kosovo declares independence⌗
Requested an ICJ advisory opinion on the legal accordance of Kosovo’s declaration. The GA also supported good offices and diplomatic engagement.
2008
Israel’s operations in the Gaza strip⌗
(In 2009) Condemned the operations, called for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and humanitarian support.
2010s to present
2011-2016
Outbreak of civil war in the Syrian Arab Republic⌗
Supported ceasefire mechanisms and good offices; called attention to legal violations, human rights violations and humanitarian suffering; in 2016 suggested the SC take accountability measures (referencing the ICC), and mandated a pre-prosecutorial investigatory body (IIIM).
2011
Protests and civil conflict in Libya⌗
Suspended the membership of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from the Human Rights Council following its threats and attacks on civilians, as an accountability measure.
2014
Russian Federation annexation of Crimea⌗
Reinforced Charter and international law obligations to refrain from threat or use of force and with respect to territorial integrity; declared referendum illegal.
2014
Islamic State active in Syria and Iraq⌗
(In 2016) Condemned the violence, urged cultural preservation and supported SC imposition of sanctions.
2014
Findings of crimes against humanity in the DPRK⌗
Following the Commission of Inquiry’s findings of possible crimes against humanity, the GA repeatedly called from 2014 on the Security Council to refer the situation in the DPRK to the ICC and consider targeted sanctions against key responsible actors.
2017
Unresolved decolonization in the Chagos Archipelago⌗
Requested an ICJ advisory opinion on the legal consequences of the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965; following the Court’s finding, the GA in 2019 called on the UK to end its colonial administration.
2018
Russian forces and equipment stationed in Moldova⌗
Expressed concern and urged withdrawal of foreign forces and equipment from Moldova; supported good offices.
2021
Myanmar “state of emergency” declared⌗
In a 2021 resolution, called upon the Myanmar military to respect democratic processes; denounced rights violations; called for a MS-imposed arms embargo. The GA subsequently convened a high-level conference and supported other good offices, humanitarian response and accountability measures.
2022-2026
Russian Federation intervention in Ukraine⌗
Characterized it as “aggression” and a violation of the UN Charter; reinforced Ukraine’s territorial integrity; demanded withdrawal of foreign forces and halt to attacks; called for accountability mechanisms, attention to nuclear safety and other measures.
2023
Request for an advisory opinion on climate change⌗
Requested an ICJ advisory opinion on States’ legal obligations to protect the climate system from greenhouse gas emissions and the legal consequences for causing significant environmental harm.
2023-2026
Hamas attack and kidnappings; Israeli military operations in Gaza⌗
Called for a humanitarian truce and ceasefire, release of hostages, protection of civilians and compliance with international humanitarian law, for secure humanitarian access, granted participation rights to State of Palestine, referred humanitarian relief and UN presence restrictions to the ICJ, and convened a Conference on the question of Palestine and a two-State solution.
2024
The Pact for the Future⌗
Used its convening authority to support the Summit of the Future and the adoption of the Pact for the Future, reinforcing peace and security commitments.