UNGA78: The head of the UN invites world leaders to find answers to global problems

At the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged international leaders to find solutions to pressing issues.

Prior to the 193 Member States’ arrival in New York on Wednesday for the UN General Assembly High Level Week, which begins on Monday, September 18, Guterres made the announcement at a press conference.

It is not the time for positioning or posturing.

The world needs action, he declared.

He characterised the gathering as a “one of a kind moment” to examine the condition of global affairs and “act for the common good.”

“This is not the time for passivity or hesitancy. Now is the moment to band together for dependable, workable answers.

“Compromise is necessary today to ensure a better tomorrow. Compromise is a key element in politics. Compromise is what diplomacy is. Compromise is the mark of good leadership.

He considered the numerous fatalities that have occurred recently in Libya and Morocco.

“The United Nations has gathered resources to aid relief efforts. In order to support people who so severely need it, we will use every available means to cooperate with our partners, the secretary-general stated.

In addition to visiting Havana on Thursday to meet with the leaders of the G77 group and China, he had just returned from significant international summits in Nairobi, Jakarta, and New Delhi. He said that the UNGA78 was gathering for high level discussions despite significant hurdles.

He mentioned the growing climate crises, recent conflicts, rising living expenses, and widening inequality.

“The general public is looking to their leaders for guidance in navigating this issue. Geopolitical differences, however, are limiting our ability to respond in the face of all of this and more.

“A multipolar society is developing. Multipolarity can contribute to stability, but it can also result in growing conflicts, fragmentation, and worse, according to Guterres.

“We need strong, revamped institutions built on the UN Charter and international law to establish this new, complicated world order.

I am aware that power is at the core of transformation, and in our increasingly multipolar world, there are many competing interests and agendas.

He outlined the agenda for the important meetings that will take place the next week on the environment, investments in development, health issues, and particular regional difficulties.

A two-day workshop on how to most effectively “rescue” the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agreed upon in Paris eight years ago will start next week as we move towards the ambitious 2030 deadline.

However, the head of the UN urged those Heads of State and Government travelling to New York once more.

Leaders have a special obligation to reach a compromise when conceiving of our shared future for the benefit of all if we are to have a future of peace and prosperity based on equality and solidarity.

“New York next week is where to start,” he remarked.

The 78th session of the UN General Assembly began on September 6 with the installation of Dennis Francis of Trinidad and Tobago as President, who would hold the position for the ensuing 12 months, according to OBASANJO NEWS24.

On September 19, the president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, will address the assembly.