The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened in New York on Tuesday, with new President Philemon Yang emphasizing unity in diversity and urging deeper international cooperation to address global challenges.
Yang highlighted critical issues including climate change, conflict resolution, and sustainable development, calling for equitable economic growth driven by innovation and green economies.
Yang stressed the importance of peace and security, urging nations to resolve ongoing conflicts in regions such as the Gaza Strip, Haiti, Ukraine, and the Great Lakes region of Africa. He underscored the Assembly’s commitment to strengthening international law, human rights, and humanitarian efforts to ensure timely crisis responses.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed Yang’s call for collective action, stressing the urgency of tackling poverty, inequality, and the climate crisis. He highlighted the importance of economic progress, particularly for women and young people, and the responsible use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
The session also marked a historic moment as the State of Palestine was seated among Member States for the first time, following a recent resolution granting additional rights but stopping short of full membership. The resolution allows Palestine to participate in Assembly meetings without voting rights or eligibility for key UN organs.
Yang and Guterres both emphasized the need for renewed commitment to multilateral solutions, diplomacy, and the UN Charter, urging nations to work together to rebuild trust and address the world’s most pressing issues.
