緊急臨時総会を招集するための手続きは、総会手続規則(Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly)に定められている。緊急臨時総会に係る規則は、次の通りである[7]。
Rule 8(b) – Summoning at the request of the Security Council or Members
Emergency special sessions can be convened by a vote of nine members of the Security Council, or a majority of United Nations Member States. These sessions must be convened within 24 hours of any votes.
Rule 9(b) – Request by Members
Allows any Member State of the United Nations to request the Secretary-General to convene an emergency special session.
Rule 10 – Notification of session
Requires the Secretary-General to notify Member States, at least 12 hours in advance, of the opening of an emergency special session convened pursuant to rule 8(b).
Rule 16 – Agenda
States that the provisional agenda of an emergency special session shall be communicated to Member States simultaneously with the communication convening the session.
Rule 19 – Additional items
During an emergency special session, additional agenda items may be added for consideration by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting.
Rule 20 – Explanatory memorandum
Requires any item proposed for inclusion in the agenda to be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum.