The 73rd UN General Assembly Kicks-Off in New York

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World global leaders and change-makers gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York for six days, to discuss the burning issues of our time and set the global agenda for the year ahead.

The 73rd session of the UN General Assembly opened today and the body’s annual high-level segment is formally known as the ‘general debate’ where every country’s leader gets to address the world.

The busy agenda covers the full spectrum of international issues, including sustainable development, climate change, peace and security, human rights, public health concerns and gender equality.

The General Assembly is one of the six main organs of the United Nations, the only one in which all Member States have equal representation: one nation, one vote.

All 193 Member States of the United Nations are represented in this unique forum to discuss and work together on a wide array of international issues covered by the UN Charter, such as development, peace and security, international law, etc.

Ahead of each session of the GA, a new President is elected. The President of the 73rd General Assembly is María Fernanda Espinosa, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador. Out of 73 Presidents, she’s only the fourth woman and the first Latin American woman ever to hold the office.

The official theme for 2018 is making the United Nations relevant to all people: global leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies.

President Espinosa has invited world leaders to comment on the “continuing relevance” of the UN and “the importance of a shared vision”. The debate will start on 25 September and run for six days.