How do organizations and non-member states get observer status in the General Assembly?

There are currently two non-member observer states:

• Holy See
• State of Palestine

Although the UN Charter and the General Assembly Rules of Procedure have no provisions related to granting observer status, the General Assembly may grant non-member states, international organizations and other entities observer status.

• In accordance with General Assembly decision 49/426 of 19 December 1994, observer status is confined to States and intergovernmental organizations whose activities cover matters of interest to the Assembly (see page 341 of A/49/49 (Vol.I))
• A legal opinion of 15 August 2008 describes the process by which entities become observers (see 2008 United Nations Juridical Yearbook, p. 438).
• A list of non-Member States, entities and organizations having received a standing invitation to participate as observers in the sessions and the work of the General Assembly is issued in the A/INF/session/-- series.