The 78th session of the UN General Assembly commenced on Tuesday, bringing together world leaders to address the pressing global challenges that confront us. Dennis Francis, the new President of the Assembly, emphasized the daunting nature of the global agenda, which is plagued by a series of cascading challenges. In his inaugural address, Francis urged member states to prioritize peace, deliver shared prosperity, accelerate progress, and drive sustainability.
Acknowledging the complex obstacles facing the world, such as climate change, conflict, and poverty, Francis highlighted the need for concerted efforts to overcome them. Geopolitical divides have bred skepticism towards multilateral systems, making peace more elusive. In response to the challenges identified by Francis, Pakistan’s UN Ambassador, Munir Akram, stressed the necessity for a plan to counter them. He underscored the complex international environment marked by conflicts, great power tensions, a slowing global economy, and financial distress faced by many developing countries.
During the opening of the 78th session, Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, speaking on behalf of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, emphasized that the General Assembly represented our common humanity and shared commitment to peace, sustainable development, and human rights. Guterres called for action in the face of profound global challenges such as peace and human rights, climate change, economic opportunities, and technological advancements.
In line with his priorities for the session, Francis emphasized the need for a robust multilateral system anchored in the UN Charter. He advocated for transparency and accountability regarding the application of the veto through the Assembly’s Security Council veto initiative. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of tailored solutions to address the challenges faced by countries in conflict and post-conflict situations, urging member states to follow through on the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. Francis also highlighted the specific development agendas of least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, and small island developing States, calling for renewed efforts to achieve their goals.
The President of the Assembly emphasized the critical role of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the upcoming SDG Summit in accelerating progress. He highlighted the urgent need for global solidarity and cooperation in strengthening health systems in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, he underlined the need to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and the conservation and prioritization of water resources. Francis called for a green ‘blue revolution’ that brings together concerns around water, climate, biodiversity, and food security.
The 78th session of the UN General Assembly presents an opportunity to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges head-on. With a focus on peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability, world leaders and member states are urged to work together to forge solutions and create a better, more peaceful, and prosperous future for all.
