What is the difference between a resolution and a decision?

Resolutions are formal expressions of the opinion or will of UN organs.

Decisions are another type of formal action taken by UN bodies. They often concern procedural matters such as elections, appointments, time and place of future sessions. They are sometimes also used to record the adoption of a text representing the consensus of the members of a given organ.

General Assembly resolutions and decisions have the same legal status.

General Assembly resolutions

• reflect the views of the Member States,
• provide policy recommendations,
• assign mandates to the UN Secretariat and the subsidiary bodies of the General Assembly, and
• decide on all questions regarding the UN budget.

With the exception of decisions regarding payments to the regular and peacekeeping budgets of the UN, General Assembly resolutions/decisions are not binding for Member States. The implementation of the policy recommendations contained in resolutions/decisions is the responsibility of each Member State. (Source: GA Handbook)