Specifically, Article 13 of the Charter states that the General Assembly has the authority to "initiate studies and make recommendations for the purpose of: (a) promoting international co-operation in the political field and encouraging the progressive development of international law and its codification.

[4] The Sixth Committee has universal membership, as such all United Nations member states are entitled to representation in its proceedings.

Before the work of the committee begins, the General Assembly assigns to it a list of agenda items to be discussed.

The committee does not hold a general debate at the start of its session, instead discussing its agenda items one by one, following a program of work adopted at its first meeting.

[1][7] The highlight of the Sixth Committee's work is the "International Law Week" beginning at the end of October, when top legal advisers from member states meet in New York to consider the report of the International Law Commission.