Major Reforms Proposed for the General Assembly

By Ecclestia
29 July 2025

NEWS: A large package of reforms have been proposed for the General Assembly (GA), representing the largest transformation of the World Assembly since the creation of the Secruity Council in 2009. Dubbed 'General Assembly 2026: Working Paper', the working paper outlines six key proposals aimed to modernise the GA, lower barriers to entry, improve transparency and encourage wider participation from the NationStates community.

Released on the 25th July, the working paper is now open for community feedback through to September. Site administrators emphasise that the proposals are not final and that feedback will guide which ideas move forward.

The General Assembly is the legislative arm of the World Assembly and one of the longest-running institutions in NationStates. Since its creation, the GA has passed over 790 resolutions covering topics from human rights to environmental policy, often with complex legal frameworks and deeply nuanced debate.

The Six Pillars of Reform

The working paper outlines six distinct proposals, with the stated aims to improve accessibility, engagement and functionality within the General Assembly:

Blank Slate of Legislation
All existing GA resolutions would be archived, allowing legislation to begin anew without being constrained by 17 years of prior law.
Simplified Proposal Rules
Complex checks for contradiction and duplication would be eliminated, lowering barriers to proposal submission and helping more players participate.
WA Secretariat Voting Recommendations
A five-member elected Secretariat would post voting recommendations directly on proposal pages, offering context to assist voters.
Support for Roleplay in GA Forums
Roleplay would be formally welcomed in GA forums to encourage more engagement alongside legislative discussion.
Customised Statistical Effects
A staff-led team would assign unique stat effects to resolutions, replacing the current predefined categories with more tailored and transparent outcomes.
Improved WA Interface
Search tools, filters and integrated links to forum debates and dispatches would make the GA more accessible and navigable for all players.

These changes, if implemented, would mark a substantial shift for the General Assembly creating new opportunities whilst also sunsetting a legal tradition that many players have invested years in shaping.

In a statement accompanying the working paper, site staff acknowledged the tension:

“The current set of GA Resolutions is a major achievement, of a kind found nowhere else in the world… While it may create new opportunities, it would certainly disappoint some previous authors and contributors who would rather their legal efforts remain in force.”

On the GA 2026 Discussion Thread dedicated to discussing the changes, Bisofeyr - Forest Keeper of Forest, stated:

'I'd like to firstly note that none of the proposed solution fix the immediate issue of inconsistent moderator enforcement of rules and belligerence to the existing community creating a significant downturn in GA output and participation. I, and likely many others, were under the impression that resolving this was the primary intention of these changes, but we may have been mistaken (which could be either our own fault or others, but whose I cannot be sure).'

Gagium, the WA Delegate of The League provided a more supportive comment:

'Overall, I think this is a good change and I think there's going to be some very interesting dynamics and Gameplay ramifications for the World Assembly Secretariat elections and subsequent use of recommendations... While true that regions will have a large impact on these elections, it seems like prospective Secretariat members will have campaigning tools to adequately give themselves a voice.'

The Times encourages all World Assembly members—newcomers and veterans alike—to participate in the official GA 2026 Discussion Thread and offer reasoned feedback. The decisions made in the coming months will shape the legal and political future of the World Assembly for years to come.

According to the published timeline, community feedback will be collected through September, with internal review and final decisions taking place in October. A final announcement is expected in November and implementation is scheduled to begin in December, concluding with the legislative reset in June 2026—if that proposal moves forward.

Whether you are a seasoned legislator, a casual voter, or a curious observer, the proposed changes represent a pivotal moment for the General Assembly. As the World Assembly turns toward the future, the question now rests with the community: how should this cornerstone of NationStates evolve?

The NationStates Times remains committed to providing clear, inclusive coverage of major developments across NationStates. Our goal is to cover these reforms and provide a platform for constructive debate.

To submit an op-ed for publishing, please contact Editor-in-Chief Ecclestia.

Comments and discussion on this new feature and its impacts are welcome below.

View the announcement and forum discussion here.