The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly officially commenced on Tuesday in New York, attended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and representatives from the 193 member states.
In his opening remarks, the new President of the General Assembly, Philemon Yang, highlighted the pressing global challenges, including poverty, hunger, climate change, and ongoing conflicts in regions such as Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine, and Gaza.
Yang outlined his key priorities for the session, emphasizing the importance of fostering innovation-driven economic growth and advancing green economies.
He also stressed the need for equitable distribution of the benefits of economic development across all nations.
Conflict prevention and resolution were key themes in his address, as he called for greater investment in global efforts to reduce tensions and build trust.
Human rights protection and the promotion of international law will be central to the deliberations of the new session.
Secretary-General Guterres praised Yang’s diplomatic expertise and pledged his support, while also extending his gratitude to outgoing General Assembly President, Dennis Francis, for his leadership over the past year.
The session will focus on strengthening international legal frameworks and addressing global issues, marking a critical moment for diplomatic collaboration in tackling some of the world’s most pressing problems.
