The UN 69th General Assembly session began on Tuesday with concentration on developing an agenda that would build on the gains of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
It will also focus on poverty and hunger eradication and create sustained inclusive growth, employment and better livelihoods for all.
Also, Africa’s development issues, as well as global peace and security will form major issues for discussions during the year-long session.The theme of the annual session is: “Delivering on and implementing a transformative post-2015 development agenda.”
The session, which will run from Sept. 16 to Oct. 15, 2015, will consist of plenary meetings of the 193-member assembly and regular meetings of the six committees of the assembly.However, the high-level segment of the General Assembly, comprising speeches and meetings by world leaders, will take place between Sept. 21 and Oct. 1 at the UN headquarters in New York.
According to a UN statement, it stated that “several major events will be featured during the 69th session, which runs through mid-September to next year mid-October”.It said that major global issues to be deliberated by the world leaders include climate change, terrorism, sustainable development, the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa, humanitarian assistance, human rights and the promotion of justice and international law.Also, the leaders are expected to present their views on ongoing reforms of the UN Security Council and the revitalisation of the General Assembly.
Some 150 countries will be represented, including more than 100 Heads of State and Government, foreign ministers and other international figures.Also, other international organisations and prominent philanthropic foundations are expected to participate in the plenaries as observers.The General Assembly, established in 1945 under the UN Charter, occupies a central position as the chief deliberative, policy making and representative organ of the world body.It compises all 193 member states of the UN, as well as provide a unique forum for multilateral discussion of international issues covered by the UN Charter.Mr Sam Kutesa, Uganda Minister of Foreign Affairs who was elected on June 11 as President of the General Assembly, will preside over the 69th session.