UPSC CSE Prelims 2022
Statement 1 is correct. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has the authority to grant observer status to non-member states. This status allows them to participate in the work of the General Assembly, albeit without voting rights. Notable examples include the Holy See (Vatican City) and Palestine.
Statement 2 is correct. Inter-governmental organisations (IGOs) can also seek and be granted observer status in the UN General Assembly. This enables them to contribute to discussions and deliberations on matters of mutual interest. Examples include the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU).
Statement 3 is correct. Entities or states that hold Permanent Observer status at the UN General Assembly are entitled to establish and maintain permanent observer missions at the UN headquarters in New York. These missions facilitate their engagement with the General Assembly's proceedings and other UN activities.
Options (a) "1 and 2 only", (b) "2 and 3 only", and (c) "1 and 3 only" are incorrect because they omit one or more factually accurate statements regarding the observer status provisions of the United Nations General Assembly. All three statements provided in the question are correct.