NEW YORK: The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) began here on Tuesday and will continue until September 29.
The session, themed “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All,” will feature key programmes, including high-level meetings, observances and the general debate, from September 18 to 28.
The session is being chaired by Bangladeshi diplomat and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Khalilur Rahman.
Addressing the opening session, President Rahman expressed confidence that the 81st session would address pressing global concerns through deeper and more effective discussions on issues including world peace, security, justice and climate change.
He also called for meaningful deliberations on sustainable development strategies, environmental sustainability, human rights, humanitarian concerns, digital governance and technological advancement. He stressed the need to reform the United Nations to better serve multilateral interests.
Also addressing the opening session, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need for the United Nations to develop effective strategies and programmes to tackle the challenges facing the world amid growing conflicts and crises.
Guterres said the world is confronting multiple challenges, including climate change, setbacks in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, poverty, conflict, division and nuclear risks. He said the General Assembly provides an appropriate platform to address these challenges through dialogue, cooperation and mutual support.
In a statement issued on the occasion of the opening of the 81st UNGA session, Nepal’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations said the session is expected to facilitate constructive and meaningful discussions on its agenda.
The Mission said Nepal remains committed to contributing to global peace, development, humanitarian efforts and climate justice through dialogue and collective action. It also congratulated Rahman on assuming the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Mission Chief Lok Bahadur Thapa called for greater global solidarity to support the development of least developed countries (LDCs) and accelerate their progress toward achieving tangible development outcomes.
Thapa made the remarks at the African Ministerial Mid-Term Review Meeting of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2022–2031.
Addressing the meeting in his capacity as Chair of the Group of Least Developed Countries, Thapa called for efforts aligned with available financial resources and existing commitments, with a focus on strengthening productive capacity, advancing digitalization, building resilience to climate change, promoting regional trade, expanding social protection and achieving sustainable development.
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