UN General Assembly: Who is attending, and what’s on the agenda?

World leaders will converse in particular person on the UN headquarters in New York for the primary time because the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United Nations General Assembly Hall sits empty before the start of the 76th Session of the General Assembly at U.N. headquarters, Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, in New York. (John Angelillo/Pool via AP)
The United Nations Common Meeting Corridor [File: John Angelillo/Pool via AP Photo]

World leaders will collect this week in New York to deal with the 77th session of the United Nations Common Meeting (UNGA).

The battle in Ukraine, local weather change and nuclear disarmament are more likely to dominate speeches and discussions through the annual gathering that begins on Tuesday on the UN headquarters.

The theme for this 12 months’s UNGA is, “A watershed second: transformative options to interlocking challenges”.

In line with the UN, it “stems from the popularity that the world is at a crucial second … on account of advanced and interconnected crises”.

UN Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres mentioned the gathering was occurring “at a time of nice peril”, with the world “blighted by battle, battered by local weather chaos, scarred by hate, and shamed by poverty, starvation, and inequality”.

Audio system on Tuesday will embody Brazilian President Jair Bolsanaro, United States President Joe Biden and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Here's what it's essential know:

Who shall be attending?

Each UN member is invited to ship a delegation to the UNGA – essentially the most consultant physique of the UN system. Every member state is allowed an equal vote when deciding on resolutions.

This 12 months’s session will happen in particular person for the primary time since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020. For the previous two years, heads of state have been allowed to submit video statements on account of pandemic restrictions.

The record of audio system consists of some notable absentees, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese language President Xi Jinping amongst those that will ship their international ministers to the UNGA.

President of the Lebanon Michel Aoun delivers a pre-recorded speech at the 76th Session of the U.N. General Assembly at United Nations headquarters in New York, on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021.
A pre-recorded speech by President of Lebanon Michel Aoun on the 76th Session of the UN Common Meeting at UN headquarters in New York, September 24, 2021 [John Angelillo /Pool Photo via AP Photo]

The place is it held?

The primary six periods of the UNGA have been held in numerous cities, beginning with London, New York, after which Paris.

Since 1952, practically all periods have taken place on the UN headquarters within the US metropolis of New York.

How do matters make it on the agenda?

Every UNGA session has a set agenda of matters that shall be mentioned, voted on or referred to varied sub-committees.

The matters embody issues urged by member states or by different UN organs, issues put ahead by the secretary-general, and procedural issues pertaining to the meeting’s operation.

The UNGA’s Common Committee units the agenda and the meeting in the end decides how every agenda merchandise shall be addressed.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
UN Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres speaks through the Reworking Schooling Summit on the sidelines of the UNGA at UN headquarters in New York Metropolis, US, September 19, 2022 [Brendan McDermid/Reuters]

What is going to UNGA deal with this 12 months?

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is predicted to be a significant focus on the annual gathering, together with the worldwide meals disaster that has been aggravated because of this.

UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric informed Al Jazeera UN Secretary-Common Guterres didn't not see an “fast mild on the finish of the tunnel” when it got here to ending the battle.

“Nonetheless, there are alternatives to mitigate the struggling in Ukraine and the UN may be very current with our humanitarian help in Ukraine, but additionally to mitigate the worldwide affect of the battle – particularly the meals disaster,” he added.

Like earlier years, local weather change may even be a significant subject of dialogue – specifically the current floods in Pakistan, which have ravaged the nation and affected greater than 30 million individuals.

Whereas member states have lifted most or all coronavirus restrictions of their international locations in an try and return to pre-pandemic circumstances, points reminiscent of entry to vaccines, monetary restoration and different associated issues shall be a vital speaking level.

What are UNGA resolutions?

Resolutions are handed in all UN councils, such because the Human Rights Council, the Financial and Social Council and the Safety Council, all year long. Membership of the person councils adjustments cyclically.

UNGA resolutions are seen as an expression of the desire of the worldwide neighborhood on a given subject, though they're non-binding, which suggests they haven't any authorized energy however carry symbolic significance in world affairs.

In distinction, resolutions handed by the 15-member UN Safety Council are usually thought of binding beneath worldwide regulation and member states are obliged to behave on them.

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