A measure by Russia's UN delegation that would have stripped same-sex spouses and partners of employees at the world organization of their benefits has failed.
Russia's attempt to overturn a policy ordered by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was voted down by the General Assembly 80-43, with 37 countries abstaining.
Ban changed the UN policy in June and declared that the organization would recognize the marriage of any same-sex couple who had married in a country where such unions are legal.
The previous policy had stated that the validity of the union was determined by the laws of the country where the employee was a citizen.
The Russian delegation and its allies had sought to reinstitute the old policy.
