With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States. 2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly. 3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Answer: D. All three statements about the UN General Assembly's observer status are correct. The UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY can grant OBSERVER STATUS to non-member entities. This allows them to participate in GA proceedings (with voice but no vote) and maintain a presence at UN headquarters. Statement 1 is CORRECT. The GA can grant observer status to NON-MEMBER STATES. The classic examples are the HOLY SEE (Vatican) and PALESTINE — both 'non-member observer states' of the United Nations General Assembly, granted by GA resolutions. Statement 2 is CORRECT. INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (IGOs) can seek and receive observer status. Many do, including the European Union, African Union, ASEAN, OIC, Commonwealth, Arab League, Pacific Islands Forum. The GA grants this through resolution. Statement 3 is CORRECT. Permanent Observers CAN MAINTAIN PERMANENT MISSIONS at UN headquarters in New York. The Holy See and Palestine maintain Permanent Observer Missions; the European Union and other IGOs maintain Permanent Observer offices. These missions function similarly to member-state missions, minus voting rights. Source: UN Charter and General Assembly resolutions on observer status (notably GA Res 3237/XXIX for PLO 1974, GA Res 67/19 for Palestine 2012).