Every year in September, the leaders of the world gather for two weeks in New York for the general debate, which kicks off the United Nations General Assembly session. The 2006 debate begins on 19 September, and over the course of ten days, more than 80 Heads of State and Government will address the Assembly. Some of the themes to be debated include the issue of Darfur, the Middle East conflict, HIV/AIDS, climate change and development, as well as the selection of the next Secretary-General.

The General Debate can be seen live via webcast at www.un.org/webcast

Below are the links to UN Chronicle articles on the United Nations General Assembly, as well as links to related UN websites on the Assembly.

On the General Assembly Opening

• Issue 3, 2006
  The Chronicle Interview: Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa
  Sheikha Haya is President of the sixty-first session of the United Nations General Assembly, one of only three women to ever serve as Assembly President.
  
  
• Issue 3, 2005
  The Chronicle Interview: Jan Eliasson
  Pre-World Summit interview with the Swedish President of the sixtieth General Assembly, covering topics such as strengthening the UN and working towards the achievement of the MDGs.
  
  
• Issue 4, 2005
  A New Mindset for the United Nations
  Kofi Annan's address to the World Economic Forum in Davos on 26 January 2006.
  
  The World Summit: "A Moving Force"
  The Outcome Document of the 2005 World Summit advanced the reform of the United Nations, outlining very clear practical goals for the Organization.
  
  
• Issue 1, 2005
  In Larger Freedom: Towards Development, Security & Rights for All
  Policy commitments and institutional reforms proposed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the 2005 World Summit.

• Issue 4, 2004
  No-one Is Above Law: The 59th General Assembly High-Level Debate
  A main concern of the 2004 General Debate was restoring respect of international law while enhancing cooperation and security.
  

• Issue 3, 2000
  Reclaiming the Future: The Millennium Summit
  Perspectives of Summit participants on the state of our world and their hopes for the Declaration adopted by the Millennium Summit.

LINKS TO RELATED RESOURCES AT THE UNITED NATIONS

>> 61st Session of the United Nations General Assembly

>> Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa: President of the 61st session

>> Office of the Spokesman for the Sercretary-General

>> United Nations Security Council

>> UN News Centre

>> Global Teaching and Learning Project - Cyberschoolbus

These stories and more can be found at UN Chronicle Online at www.un.org/chronicle. The UN Chronicle print edition is published by the Department of Public Information in English and French. It is not an official record; the views expressed in individual articles do not necessarily imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.

To subscribe to the magazine, contact UN Publications at publications@un.org or call (800) 253-9646, or go to www.un.org/Pubs/chronicle/order.htm for details on a special Internet offer of US$10 per year.

Please pass this UN Chronicle E-Alert on to anyone whom you think it might interest.