United Nations General Assembly opens amid global crises

Mohammad Imran Hossain, from UN Headquarters:
The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially opened on September 10, 2024, with world leaders convening to address urgent global challenges. The session, running until September 28, comes at a critical juncture as nations grapple with a host of complex issues, including climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and economic instability.

In his inaugural address, Philemon Yang, former Prime Minister of Cameroon and the newly elected President of the 79th UNGA, called for “unity in diversity” to advance peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for all. Yang’s leadership is expected to steer discussions towards forging sustainable and peaceful solutions in a world increasingly divided by economic disparities and political tensions.

A highlight of the assembly will be the Summit of the Future, scheduled for September 22-23, 2024. This unprecedented event will bring together leaders, advocates, and experts from around the world to chart long-term strategies for global governance and sustainability. Central to these discussions is the Pact for the Future, a multilateral framework aimed at addressing emerging global challenges, including financial reforms, emergency preparedness, and governance in outer space.

The assembly will also focus on pressing existential issues with high-level meetings on topics such as Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and the global threat of sea-level rise. These critical discussions will aim to strengthen resilience against future global shocks and chart a course for coordinated international responses.

Among the prominent figures attending this year’s session are U.S. President Joe Biden, known for his advocacy of multilateralism, and Nobel Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s Interim Government, who will lead discussions on economic reforms. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also expected to address the ongoing security concerns stemming from the war in Ukraine.

As leaders begin their speeches and debates on September 24, the outcomes of the 79th UNGA are anticipated to have far-reaching implications for international relations, economic policies, and the future of global governance.

The Road Ahead:
This year’s session is seen as a pivotal moment in shaping the future of multilateralism. As Yang emphasized, progress depends not only on political leaders but also on the active participation of everyday citizens, particularly the youth. With the world facing unprecedented challenges, the 79th UNGA is poised to set the course for sustainable development and lasting peace, with the future of international cooperation hanging in the balance.