The resolution was adopted in a 143-9 vote, with 25 member states abstaining.
The document "determines that the State of Palestine is qualified for membership in the United Nations in accordance with article 4 of the Charter and should therefore be admitted to membership in the United Nations."
It "recommends that the Security Council reconsider the matter favorably."
According to the resolution, the UN General Assembly decides, "on an exceptional basis and without setting a precedent," to grant "additional rights and privileges" to the State of Palestine at the UN. The rights will go into effect as of the 79th session of the General Assembly.
Palestine will receive the right to make statements on behalf of groups of countries, the right to full participation in UN conferences, in international conferences and meetings convened under the auspices of the General Assembly or under the auspices of other UN bodies.
Palestine will also have the right to make proposals and amendments, including on behalf of groups of countries, the right to be a co-author of proposals and amendments, including on behalf of groups of states, and the right to speak in explanations of voting on behalf of groups.
In addition, Palestine will receive the right to put forward procedural proposals, including points of order. Moreover, it will also be able to put forward requests to put certain proposals to a vote.
At the same time, the resolution stipulates that "the State of Palestine, in its capacity as an observer State, does not have the right to vote in the General Assembly or to put forward its candidature to United Nations organs."
Prior to the vote on expanding Palestine’s rights at the UN, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzya said that full membership of Palestine at the United Nations would put it on a more equal footing with Israel and strengthen its position at negotiations.
"We are convinced that full-fledged membership of Palestine, of the UN would help provide an equal initial negotiating position with Israel who received this fully fledged status more than 75 years ago," Nebenzya said.
The draft resolution is not perfect, but it does not set a precedent and Russia will vote in favor to support all the Palestinians and stop their suffering, he added.
In April, the United States vetoed an Algerian resolution at the UN Security Council recommending that the General Assembly admit Palestine to the UN. The United Kingdom and Switzerland abstained. The remaining members of the UN Security Council voted in favor.
The admission of any "peace-loving" state to membership in the UN requires a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council, according to the UN Charter.
Palestine has held permanent observer status at the UN since 2012, while Israel has been a full member of the organization since 1948.