In the corridors of the United Nations, the General Assembly holds its regular session in September of each year, amidst great economic, political and climatic challenges.

President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Denis Francis, identified four key priorities to ensure that this new session meaningfully addresses global challenges.

The priorities set by Francis are peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability, according to his speech during the opening of the session.

Francis explained that the intersecting challenges of climate, conflict and poverty make peace more difficult, stressing that the General Assembly “bears a special responsibility to ensure that our efforts are based on a strong multilateral system” that derives its strength and legitimacy from inclusion and opportunities aimed at enhancing participation in formulating decisions.< /p>

He went on to say, “The General Assembly must throw its weight behind strengthening finance, technology, debt sustainability and capacity-building in places with development deficits and where assistance is needed most.”

In this regard, he urged Member States to follow up on the implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and seize other key opportunities to increase investment and expand financing for development.

He also called for accelerating the transition to clean energy and enhancing support for adaptation by making climate finance more available, accessible, and affordable.

The meetings of the United Nations General Assembly are scheduled to be held this year from September 19 to 26.

Challenges and tests

For his part, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, said at the opening of the 78th session of the General Assembly, “We face a world full of profound challenges and division that constitute a test for the United Nations.”

Guterres added that the current moment is a moment to work for peace and human rights, to save the sustainable development goals, and to address the existential threat of climate change.

I consider this moment to be the moment to work to create productive opportunities and expand economic opportunities, especially for women and youth, and to ensure that rapid developments in technology such as artificial intelligence are a help, not a harm, to humanity.

The Secretary-General, through his deputy, called for formulating solutions that all people expect, and making progress towards a better, more peaceful and prosperous future, and a healthier planet.

World leaders will gather to participate in the annual high-level general debate under the theme “Rebuilding Trust and Reviving Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability for All.”

During the session, heads of state and government and ministers search for solutions to interlocking global challenges in order to promote peace, security and sustainable development