UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations General Assembly opened its 69th session on Tuesday, with Secretary-General Ban Ki moon calling on world leaders to unite in the face of the myriad devastating crises to uphold human dignity, the rule of law and the principles of the UN Charter.
More than 140 heads of state/government, including Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, are expected to take part in the 193-member’s high-level debate which will run from Wednesday, September 24, through Wednesday, 1 October to deliberate the world’s most pressing issues.
‘At this time of turmoil, the next two weeks will highlight again the indispensable role of the United Nations in tackling global threats and seizing opportunities for common progress,’ the secretary-general told reporters the world body’s New York Headquarters a few hours before the start of the session.
‘We are anticipating an impressive turnout of leaders from Government, business, finance and civil society. Most important, we are expecting significant commitments and progress,’ the Secretary-General said, adding that he hoped to address the horrendous violence in Syria and Iraq, where conflict and governance failures have provided a breeding ground for extremism. Meanwhile, in the aftermath of ‘yet another needless and devastating war’ in Gaza, Israelis and Palestinians seem more polarized than ever. International consensus is critical to address the challenges posed in an increasingly complex world.
He said world leaders must act against serious threats to global and regional peace and security including in Ukraine, Libya, Mali, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Terrorist organizations throughout the world are not only carrying out attacks but seizing large areas of land beyond the government’s control. In Nigeria, the advances of Boko Haram grow more alarming every day.
‘We will not let these crises be forgotten and we will meet next week at the highest level to determine what more we can do,’ the secretary-general said.
‘The world is facing multiple crises. Each has its own dynamics, and requires its own approach.
But all have featured atrocious attacks on civilians, including children. All have dangerous sectarian, ethnic or tribal dimensions. And many have seen sharp divisions within the international community itself over the response,’ Ban said.
Meanwhile, on the heels of yet another meeting on the outbreak of Ebola held today in Geneva, the secretary-general urged the international community to act immediately to contain the epidemic and treat those infected. He pledged to continue his efforts to mobilize the international community to help meet the health services, supplies, food and other requirements. ‘We cannot allow travel bans on travel or transport to slow us down. We need isolation of people affected by Ebola - not nations struggling to cope with it,’ Mr. Ban said. ‘This is not just a health crisis; it has grave economic and social consequences that could spread far beyond the affected countries.’

On a broader range, the new session of the General Assembly will be a pivotal period for our efforts to defeat poverty and adopt a new generation of sustainable development goals.
‘Action on climate change is urgent. The more we delay, the more we will pay in lives and money,’ said Ban, emphasizing the importance of his climate summit next week, which will aim to mobilize political will for a universal legal agreement next year in Paris and to generate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The session was formally opened by the Assembly’s new President declaring that it would be a historic opportunity to formulate a post-2015 development agenda that is transformative, brings tangible results in fighting poverty, and leads to improving lives of all people.  ‘As I stand in this newly opened magnificent Assembly Hall, I cannot help but think that we are here at the dawn of a new day. Let us approach this pivotal 69th session with a sense of urgency, hope and greater cooperation,’ General Assembly President Sam Kahamba Kutesa in his opening address.
Kutesa, of Uganda, declared the theme of this year’s general debate ‘Delivering on and implementing a Transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda’ and said the framework must strive to eradicate poverty and hunger and promote sustained and inclusive economic growth.  ‘The list is as lengthy as it is daunting- poverty and hunger; persistent unemployment; violent armed conflicts; faltering education systems; climate change and rising sea-levels; and inadequate infrastructure,’ Kutesa said.
Just in recent months, health systems in West Africa have been overwhelmed by an unprecedented Ebola outbreak, while new challenges to peace and security have emerged with alarming frequency. Extremism is spreading and acts of terrorism are spreading in Iraq and Syria. ‘The General Assembly remains the pre-eminent forum for global debate and cooperation amongst Member States,’ he said, calling on countries to harness opportunities and to find solutions to the challenges confronting humanity.
‘It is evident that the 69th session will be very busy,’ Kutesa said, explaining that in addition to dealing with the normal work of its six main Committees – which deal with specific issues, such as the UN budget, human rights, disarmament, and economic and financial matters – the Assembly we will be preoccupied with negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda.
Calling the coming year a ‘momentous’ one for the UN,  Kutesa said he looked forward to commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Organization’s founding, as well 15 years since the adoption of the Millennium Declaration and 10 years since the 2005 World Summit. It will be critical to craft a new development agenda to succeed the landmark Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), set to expire in 2015. ‘It is our responsibility to ensure that adequate means for implementing the agenda, in terms of finances, technology development and transfer and capacity-building are mobilized,’ he said.
This will require strengthened global partnership and enhanced cooperation between and amongst Member States, the private sector and civil society. It will also require a fair trading regime and promotion of investment. One of the thematic debates Kutesa has planned for the session will focus on implementing the new development agenda and on how to mobilize resources. And the second debate, to be held in March 2015, will focus on ‘advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women in the post-2015 development agenda.’