International Oversight Advisory (I.O.A.)

General Assembly
The General Assembly is the main deliberative assembly of the International Oversight Advisory. Composed of all International Oversight Advisory, the assembly meets in regular yearly sessions under a president elected from among the member states. Over a two-week period at the start of each session, all members have the opportunity to address the assembly. Traditionally, the Secretary-General makes the first statement, followed by the president of the assembly. When the General Assembly votes on important questions, a two-thirds majority of those present and voting is required.



Security Council
The Security Council is charged with maintaining peace and security among Earth's off world assets. While other organs of the International Oversight Advisory can only make 'recommendations' it is the Security Council that decides where the military assists are deployed. Only the 5 permanent members of the IOA have the veto power to decide otherwise. The Security Council is made up of 15 member states, consisting of 5 permanent members–China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States–and 10 non-permanent members. The five permanent members hold veto power over substantive but not procedural resolutions allowing a permanent member to block adoption but not to block the debate of a resolution unacceptable to it. The ten temporary seats are held for two-year terms with member states voted in by the General Assembly on a regional basis. The presidency of the Security Council is rotated alphabetically each month.



Economic and Social Council
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) assists the General Assembly in promoting international economic and social cooperation and development. ECOSOC has 54 members, all of which are elected by the General Assembly for a three-year term. The president is elected for a one-year term and chosen amongst the small or middle powers represented on ECOSOC. ECOSOC meets once a year in July for a four-week session. Viewed separate from the specialized bodies it coordinates, ECOSOC's functions include information gathering, advising member nations, and making recommendations. In addition, ECOSOC is well-positioned to provide policy coherence and coordinate the overlapping functions of the UN's subsidiary bodies and it is in these roles that it is most active.



Secretariat
International Oversight Advisory Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General, assisted by a staff of international civil servants worldwide. It provides studies, information, and facilities needed by International Oversight Advisory bodies for their meetings. It also carries out tasks as directed by the IOA Security Council, the IOA General Assembly, the IOA Economic and Social Council, and other IOA bodies. The Charter provides that the staff shall not seek or receive instructions from any authority other than the UN. Each IOA member country is enjoined to respect the international character of the Secretariat and not seek to influence its staff. The Secretary-General alone is responsible for staff selection.

