UNGA 81st session opens with calls for global cooperation

NEW YORK: The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) began in New York on Tuesday, with calls for stronger global cooperation and multilateral action.

The session, themed “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All”, will conclude on September 29. High-level meetings, observances and general debates will be held from September 18 to 28.

Bangladeshi diplomat and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman is chairing the session.

Addressing the opening, Rahman expressed hope that the session would help address global concerns through deeper and more effective discussions on pressing 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, the use of technology and restructuring the United Nations to better serve multilateral interests.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the need for the United Nations to develop appropriate strategies and programmes to address challenges facing the world amid growing conflicts and crises.

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Guterres said the world was confronting climate change, setbacks in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs), poverty, conflict, division and nuclear risks. He said the General Assembly was an appropriate forum for addressing these issues through mutual assistance, dialogue and cooperation.

In a press statement issued on the opening of the session, the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations said it expected constructive and meaningful dialogue on the UNGA agenda.

The Mission said Nepal was willing to contribute to world peace, development, humanity and climate justice through dialogue and collective efforts. It also congratulated Rahman on assuming office as President of the United Nations General Assembly.

Meanwhile, Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Lok Bahadur Thapa on Tuesday called for global solidarity to support the development of least developed countries and accelerate progress towards tangible results.

Thapa made the call during 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 as Chair of the Group of Least Developed Countries, Thapa called for efforts aligned with available financial resources and commitments. He emphasised strengthening productive capacity, advancing digitalisation, building resilience to climate change, promoting regional trade, expanding social protection and achieving sustainable development.