The European Union (EU) has permanent observer status at the United Nations (UN) since 1974, and gained enhanced participation rights in 2011.

[3] European Council President Herman Van Rompuy made the EU's inaugural speech to the general assembly on 22 September 2011.

[4][5][6] Prior to the granting of its speaking rights, the EU was represented by the state holding the rotating Council presidency.

It is a full participant on the Commission on Sustainable Development, the Forum on Forests and the Food and Agriculture Organization.

While purely symbolic, the issue has become a big deal for both sides, although the UK government has been criticised for using valuable political capital and good will on something that will yield, even if successful, no real gain.

The sum of the contributions of EU member states provided 30.4% of the regular UN budget in 2016[17] (this is compared with the US at 22% and Japan at 9.7%).

The EU was also instrumental in setting up the system of UN Special Rapporteurs on human rights issues.

It was the first non-state entity to be granted observer status and gave it participation rights, particularly in the Economic and Social Council: the EEC operated a common commercial policy from very early on and in such matters the European Commission represented the EU, in others the Council presidency did.

In 2001, it was the first non-state entity to host a summit, the UN Conference of the Least Developed Countries in Brussels, Belgium.

However, the General Assembly voted down its initial proposal in 2010 due to a bloc led by Australia (who abstained in protest at the speed of the proposal and the assumption it would pass) and another led by the Caribbean Community (demanding the same rights for other regional blocs).

[1] This is alongside EU member Germany requesting its own Security Council seat,[24] and is vocally backed therein by the UK and France.