A host of world leaders were gathering at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Monday for the General Assembly’s 70th annual General Debate.
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New York correspondent Nick Bryant explains what the UN General Assembly is – and why it matters.
“We must close the gap between the world as it is and the world as it should be”, he said.
He also spoke about climate change and expressed his hope that the upcoming conference on the issue which will take place in Paris in December will result in a robust agreement.
The General Assembly session runs through October 6.
The Summit opened Friday with the film screening, The Earth from Space, followed by musical performances by UN Goodwill Ambassadors Shakira and Angelique Kidjo, as well as a call to action by Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai along with youth representatives as torch bearers to a sustainable future.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address the General Assembly on Thursday, a day after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. We urge the United States to resettle at least 100,000 Syrian refugees in the coming fiscal year.
The General Debate this session is likely going to be focused on two things: the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals, a set of principles meant to guide millions out of poverty while also protecting the planet, and Syria – both the immediate security crisis, including ISIS, and the refugee crisis that has occurred as a result. The agenda recognizes that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with a plan that builds economic growth and addresses a range of social needs, while tackling climate change. “If we fail, the SDGs will never be reached because the resources needed will be swallowed up in addressing crises and conflicts”, said Mr. Lykketoft, also warning that failure to stop climate change could lead to “catastrophe”.
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