The session of UN General Assembly in New York, US on April 17, 2023 (Photo: AFP/ VNA)

In his opening remarks, Philemon Yang, the assembly's new president said the world faces many challenges, including climate change, which is devastating the planet and endangering countless lives, and armed conflicts. He called for strengthening international cooperation to address these issues.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the world is facing numerous uncertainties and the General Assembly is "the place where solutions are made" for the many challenges facing the world today, including solutions to bring the Sustainable Development Goals back to life, and to end poverty and inequality.

One of the most important United Nations events in 2024 is the UN Summit of the Future, which will take place on September 22 and 23. The Summit of the Future is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance cooperation on critical challenges and address gaps in global governance, reaffirm existing commitments including to the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Charter, and move towards a reinvigorated multilateral system that is better positioned to positively impact people’s lives.