The 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is currently underway in New York, bringing together world leaders, diplomats, and representatives from various nations to address pressing global issues. As countries navigate a myriad of challenges that threaten peace, stability, and sustainable development, this year’s session has intensified discussions on critical topics such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change, nuclear weapons, global peace, and the quest for statehood for Palestine.
The SDGs, which provide a comprehensive framework for achieving social, economic, and environmental sustainability by 2030, continue to be a central theme of the UNGA discussions. Progress toward achieving these goals has significantly been disrupted in recent years, exacerbating inequalities and setting back efforts in areas such as education, health, and poverty alleviation.
As delegates convene, there is a renewed call for collective action to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs. This involves not only financial commitments but also innovative partnerships between governments, the private sector, and civil society. Discussions are expected to highlight the need for a transformative approach that prioritizes inclusivity and resilience, ensuring that no one is left behind in the recovery process. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged member states to re-commit to the SDGs, emphasizing that sustainable development is not merely an option but a necessity for long-term peace and stability.
Climate change remains one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, and the 79th UNGA serves as a platform to galvanize global efforts in combating its devastating effects. Increased climate-related disasters, such as floods, droughts, and wildfires, have underscored the urgency for immediate and decisive action.
During this session, world leaders are expected to reaffirm their commitments under COP 28 agreement, exploring strategies to limit global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There is a strong emphasis on mobilizing climate finance to support developing nations in their adaptation and mitigation efforts.
The session will also likely address the need for addressing loss and damage related to climate change, as vulnerable communities face disproportionate impacts. There is an urgent call for frameworks that hold developed nations accountable for their historical responsibility in contributing to climate change and for providing support to affected countries.
Another critical area of focus for the 79th Session is disarmament, particularly concerning nuclear weapons. The threat of nuclear proliferation remains an ongoing concern for global security, with recent geopolitical tensions amplifying the urgency for dialogue and cooperation among nuclear-armed states. The UNGA sessions are central to advancing disarmament initiatives and fostering trust among nations.
Global peace and security remain fundamental to the UN’s mission, and addressing ongoing conflicts is a top priority at this session. Numerous regions continue to experience protracted violence, humanitarian crises, and instability, prompting discussions on conflict prevention and resolution.
Leaders will deliberate on the importance of multilateralism in addressing these challenges, emphasizing that unilateral actions can exacerbate tensions. The UN is calling for renewed commitment to diplomacy and dialogue, recognizing that sustainable peace is rooted in addressing the underlying causes of conflict. Topics such as the situation in Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, Sudan, and the African Great Lakes region are likely to be highlighted, with calls for collaborative mechanisms to promote reconciliation, rebuild societies, and support those most affected by conflict.
The issue of statehood for Palestine continues to resonate strongly in international forums, making it a focal point of the discussions during the 79th UNGA. Palestinian leadership has consistently sought recognition and support for their bid for full statehood in the international community.
As world leaders engage in dialogues, the challenges faced by the Palestinian people, including the occupation, the ongoing Israeli genocidal on Gaza, settlement expansion, and humanitarian crises, are anticipated to be key topics. The UN has long championed and recently backed the right to self-determination for the Palestinian people, and discussions may revolve around the two-state solution as a viable pathway to achieving lasting peace in the region.
Amidst applauds of world leaders, President Lula of Brazil raised the ante on Tuesday while opening the UNGA general debate by giving a special welcome to the State of Palestine delegation and President Mahmoud Abbas.
Delivering Nigeria’s message to the 79th Session of UNGA, Vice President Kashim Shettima who represented President Bola Tinubu, was succinct on the Palestinian issue, as he declared: “Today, we are all witnesses to the heart-wrenching situation in Gaza and other Palestinian Territories… Justice is antithetical to revenge. Freedom is an inalienable right and a natural entitlement that cannot be denied to any people. The Palestinian people deserve their independence. They deserve to have a home of their own on territories already recognised by this very Assembly and by international law, which is being routinely ignored.“
I was impressed by the speech and Nigeria’s stance on the issue of Palestine. It is dignifying and a true reflection of our position as a nation. I believe it’s time for the world to call Zionists bluff by putting Israel in its proper place.
Having committed mass genocide of civilians before the eyes of the whole world, Israel has started a full-fledged war with Lebanon. Just as in Gaza the Israelis preferred to claim that they were fighting Hamas rather than the Palestinians as a whole (as was actually the case), so now Benjamin Netanyahu is talking about countering Hezbollah by launching mass attacks and carpet bombing of civilians in Lebanon. This is war in the fullest sense of the word. And the West fully supports Israel’s aggression. The world has to take a stand.
The UN General Assembly has long been widely regarded as a mere talk shop with little or inconsequential effect. However, I think that should change. It is now time to turn the tide as the world is currently at a crossroad. The outcome of 79th Session of the UNGA could, potentially, reshape our world and address the most pressing issues of our time. The decisions taken at this summit will hopefully and positively resonate beyond the assembly halls in New York, influencing policies and societal trajectories across the globe.
