For the 79th session of the U.N. General Assembly, the incoming president had a simple message for world leaders: put your heads togethers.
Cameroonian former prime minister Philémon Yang, presiding over the opening of the 193-nation assembly's gathering on Tuesday, exhorted his fellow diplomats to solve global challenges with closer international cooperation.
"Climate change is devastating the planet and endangering countless lives and societies," he said. "Sustainable development will be a key focus, as we strive to balance equitable economic growth with environmental governance."
Among the other main priorities this year, he said, are the wars, conflicts and armed violence that "rage on from Sudan to Haiti, from Ukraine to the Gaza Strip, leaving trails of death, destruction and wanton misery worldwide."
Yang told the annual gathering of diplomats to create an "collaborative and consultative" environment, where diverse perspectives are integrated into their decision-making.
"We deeply believe in the power of dialogue and the necessity of listening to all voices," he said in his opening speech. "The challenges are complex, but with shared commitment and mutual respect, we can overcome them."
To that end, the Palestinians took a seat for the first time among member nations that allows them to submit proposals and amendments, in accord with new rights granted to the Palestinian delegation as part of a resolution adopted in May.
Rights at 'core' of agenda
As aid workers struggle to get vital supplies to war-torn populations like the Palestinians and Sudanese, Yang highlighted the need to respect human rights and humanitarian laws while combating international terrorism, drug and human trafficking, and modern slavery.
"Human rights will remain at the core of our agenda. The General Assembly will continue to advocate for the protection and promotion of human rights, ensuring that the dignity of all individuals is upheld worldwide," he said.
"We will also seek to enhance the coordination of humanitarian efforts, ensuring that our response to crises is timely and efficient, and that aid reaches those most in need."
One of the major highlights later this month will be the Summit of the Future, where leaders hope to a new Pact for the Future that goes beyond the U.N.'s 17 Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, or SDGs, which the assembly adopted in 2015.
"As we open this 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, we confront a world in trouble," U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said.
"But the good news is that we can do something about it," he said. "From day one, the United Nations has been the place for multilateral solutions — grounded in collaboration … dialogue … diplomacy … and the United Nations Charter."
With many of the SDGs floundering or on life support in the wake of a pandemic and wars in Europe and the Middle East, Guterres called for solutions "to bring the Sustainable Development Goals back to life, and end poverty and inequality."
He pushed for diplomats to find solutions to "bridge the political divides" that are fueling conflicts and wars, and to "end the climate catastrophe that is killing our one and only home."
