(VOVWORLD) - The UN General Assembly debate currently taking place in New York draws 81 Heads of State, 51 government leaders and 47 ministers. The UN goal is to bring people closer together and serve as a foundation for sustainable peace, equality and prosperity around the world.
Under the theme “Making the UN Relevant to All People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies”, the debate focused on sustainable development, climate change, peace, security, human rights, community health, and gender equality.
New topics debated
Of the world’s 1.8 billion people aged 10 to 24, 90% live in less developed countries. Political instability, unemployment, and restricted access to political and social activities is isolating them. UN leaders, for the first time in history, have launched a widespread campaign to empower youth.
Tuberculosis and non-infectious diseases are also being discussed. The UN estimates that 7 out of 10 deaths in the world are caused by non-infectious diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Without concerted action, 10 million people will die of infectious diseases by 2050 and tuberculosis is the major cause.
The UN Secretary General convened the first in-person meeting of the High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation to discuss ways to cope with unexpected consequences of technology and strengthen international cooperation. The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, a global network of governments, the private sector, and civil society organizations will launch new efforts to cope with poverty and address other challenges.
Peace and development are also high on the UN agenda. The world community will discuss efforts to strengthen the UN peacekeeping mission, an urgent task in the context of widening conflicts which have caused a great loss of human lives and decimated infrastructure.
The UN currently has 14 peacekeeping operations. The UN Chief is promoting action plans for peace and trying to mobilize political solutions to conflicts. Climate change and protection of migrants and refugees are tow more topics on the table.
UN’s mission continues
The UN was founded 73 years ago marking a milestone in the modern history of international relations and opening a new period of settling and preventing international conflicts and protecting peace. The UN continues to be the largest global organization, protecting world peace, forging friendship between nations and promoting humankind’s comprehensive development.