The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the United Nations. Comprising all 193 Member States, it is the most representative organ of the Organization, and it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the United Nations Charter.
“Unity in Diversity, for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for everyone, everywhere” is the theme of the mandate of the President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, H.E. Philemon Yang.
In Focus
First Informal Interactive Dialogue on the Implementation of the Pact for the Future - Means of Implementation
The adoption of the Pact for the Future in September 2024 marked a significant step towards the realization of a renewed multilateral system that is responsive to the realities of today's world and the challenges of tomorrow. The success of the Pact, also a powerful accelerator for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, will depend on the collective efforts of all relevant stakeholders to shift from the agreement made on paper to concrete and measurable action.
To this end, the President of the UN General Assembly Philemon Yang is convening a series of informal interactive dialogues. These dialogues are an opportunity for Member States to exchange views, share best practices and ideas as they further implementation efforts on the Pact for the Future. The first informal interactive dialogue takes place on Thursday, 26 March 2025 and will focus on means of implementation.
Panelists speak about the impact of small arms and light weapons on sustainable development at the Joint General Assembly/ECOSOC meeting on 17 March 2025
Joint Meeting on Small arms and light weapons control for preventing violence and advancing sustainable development
At the joint meeting of the UN General Assembly and UN Economic and Social Council on small arms and light weapons control held on Monday, 17 March 2025, President Yang invited delegations to focus on two areas: the dangers to development caused by all forms of small arms-related insecurity: and the dangers to development caused by excessive military expenditures. He stressed the urgent need for small arms and light weapons control to be integrated into development, violence prevention and human rights protection.
The Presidents of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Security Council meet to discuss matters of mutual importance
The President of the General Assembly, H.E. Philemon Yang, met the President of the Security Council, H.E. Ms. Christina Markus Lassen, and the President of the Economic and Social Council, H.E. Mr. Bob Rae, on Thursday, 20 March 2025 for an informal meeting to discuss matters of interest across the three UN organs.
A first for the 79th session, the three Presidents addressed key issues, including the implementation of the Pact for the Future, the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, and UN budgetary issues, in particular, the liquidity situation. They also discussed possible areas of dialogue and cooperation.
Photo credit: UNHCR
Commemorative meeting to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
President Yang held a commemorative meeting of the General Assembly on Friday, 21 March 2025 to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
In accordance with the established regional rotation, the President of the 80th session of the General Assembly is to be elected from the Western European and Other States Group.
The election of the President of the General Assembly will be held on Monday, 2 June 2025 at 10 a.m. in the General Assembly Hall. Candidates are expected to present their vision statements and conduct informal interactive dialogues with Member States. President Yang will convene the informal interactive dialogue on Thursday, 15 May 2025 at 10 a.m.
Multi-stakeholder hearing - High Level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being
Registration has opened for an interactive multi-stakeholder hearing on Friday, 2 May 2025 as part of the preparatory process for the High-Level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being.
Register here
Nominations for the Nelson Mandela Prize- Deadline is 24 March 2025
Launched by the UN General Assembly in June 2014, the prestigious honoraryNelson Mandela Prizeacknowledges individuals who dedicate their lives to the service of humanity, by promoting the purposes and principles of the United Nations, while also honouring and paying homage to Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary life and legacy of reconciliation, political transition, and social transformation.
Online nominations can be submitted in English or French until Monday, 24 March 2025.
Ms. Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, briefs UN Correspondents on 18 March 2025.
This week, theSpokesperson's briefing focused on the upcoming G-20 briefing on 24 March 2025 and the postponement of Pledging Conference on Development Activities.
A Snapshot of the Week Ahead
24-28 March 2025
Informal meeting of the plenary to hear a briefing by the G20 sherpa of South Africa (24 March) UN WebTV
Intergovernmental consultations on the High-Level meeting to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth (24 March)
Commemorative meeting to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (25 March) UN WebTV
Informal consultations on the High-Level meeting to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women (25 March)
Briefing by the Spokesperson for the President of the UN General Assembly (25 March) - UN WebTV
Informal Interactive dialogue on implementation of the Pact for the Future - Means of implementation (26 March) UN WebTV
