NYN Special Correspondent :
The 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly is moving into its high-level period at UN Headquarters in New York, where nearly 130 Heads of State and Government are expected to participate in one of the world’s largest annual gatherings of political leaders. The General Debate will open on September 22, continue through September 26, and conclude on September 28.
This year’s session is being held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.” It is presided over by Dr. Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh, who was elected President of the General Assembly in June. The broader session formally opened on September 8.
The coming week will place a wide range of international challenges before world leaders. The UN says High-Level Week will focus on areas including peace and security, climate, health and AI governance, while conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine are also expected to feature prominently in diplomatic discussions. Ahead of the gathering, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted both crises as major challenges confronting the international community.
The official program includes a High-level Event on Climate Action and the Just Transition and a meeting marking the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development on September 23. A meeting addressing the existential threats posed by sea-level rise follows on September 24, with pandemic prevention, preparedness and response scheduled for September 25. The UN will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action on September 28, followed by a high-level meeting on the total elimination of nuclear weapons on September 29.
Bangladesh is expected to have a particularly visible presence. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to travel to New York on September 21 and deliver his first UN General Assembly address as prime minister on September 24. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said the speech is expected to address Bangladesh’s democratic transition, rule of law, global peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, economic cooperation, youth and women’s empowerment, education and health, the Rohingya crisis, access to modern technology and reform of the multilateral system.
The photographs accompanying the story appear to show the SDG Moment, held in the General Assembly Hall on September 18, where the UN spotlighted progress and challenges surrounding the Sustainable Development Goals ahead of the main diplomatic gathering.
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