The 79th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) kicks off in New York today, bringing together leaders from member states in one of the largest diplomatic events worldwide. Cameroonian Philemon Yong will chair the discussions, with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres opening the session.
Expected to attend are 133 heads of state, three vice presidents, 80 vice presidents of governments, and 45 ministers from member countries. Traditionally, Brazil delivers the first speech after the President of the UN General Assembly, followed by the host USA, and then Turkey’s President Erdogan.
With crises from Gaza to Haiti, the assembly will focus on conflicts and wars globally. Issues like Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and Haiti are expected to dominate discussions, particularly the situation in Gaza, termed “hell on earth” by the UN. The risk of regional Middle East conflict is a concern after recent Israeli attacks and Lebanese explosions.
The main theme of this year’s discussions is “Leaving no one behind: Peace, sustainable development, and human dignity,” emphasizing the need for reform in the UN Security Council and international financial structures.
In addition to the high-level week, the Future Summit will address climate change and other pressing issues like Sustainable Development Goals, antimicrobial resistance, and nuclear disarmament.