UNGA 81st Session Opens with Calls for Global Cooperation and Multilateral Action

The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has been underway here since Tuesday. The session themed ‘Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All’ will conclude on September 29.

Key programmes including high-level meetings, observances and general debates under the session will be held from September 18 to 28. The session is being chaired by Bangladeshi diplomat and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Khalilur Rahman.

Addressing the opening session, President Rahman expressed his hope that the 81st session would be successful in addressing global concerns through deeper and more effective discussions and deliberations on pressing issues including world peace, security, justice, and climate change.

Similarly, he expressed his hope that the session would engage in meaningful discussions on key issues, including the implementation of sustainable development strategies, environmental sustainability, human rights and humanitarian concerns, digital governance and the use of technology, as well as restructuring of the United Nations to better serve multilateral interests.

Also addressing the session, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the need for the United Nations should come up with appropriate strategies and programmes to address the challenges facing the world amid growing conflicts and crises.

Stating that the entire world is marred by a range of challenges, including climate change, obstacles to the advancement of sustainable development goals, poverty, conflict, division and nuclear risk, Secretary-General Guterres said that the General Assembly is an appropriate forum for addressing these issues through mutual assistance, dialogue and cooperation.

Issuing a press statement on the occasion of the opening of the UNGA 81st Session, Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations said that the session is expected to hold constructive and meaningful dialogues on its agenda.

Similarly, it has been stated that Nepal is willing to contribute to world peace, development, humanity and climate justice through dialogue and collective efforts. The Mission has also congratulated Rahman, who is also a Bangladeshi diplomat, on assuming office as the President of the United Nations General Assembly.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Mission Chief Lok Bahadur Thapa called for global solidarity for the development of the least developed countries and for accelerating the pace of development to achieve tangible results.

Thapa expressed these views on the occasion of 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 in his capacity as Chair of the Group of Least Developed Countries, Mission Chief Thapa called for efforts in accordance with available financial resources and commitments, with a focus on strengthening productive capacity, advancing digitalization, building resilience to climate change, promoting regional trade, expanding social protection, and achieving sustainable development. (RSS)