Press Release
Breakthrough in global governance marks High-Level Week at 79th session of UN General Assembly
New York, 30 September – The High-Level Week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly concluded today, with countries signalling a strong commitment to strengthen international cooperation to respond effectively to current and future global crises.
Over 100 world leaders gathered at UN Headquarters in New York for the High-Level Week (23 to 30 September 2024) which included the Summit of the Future, the annual General Debate, and several high-level meetings on urgent issues ranging from the threats of sea-level rise and antimicrobial resistance to nuclear disarmament.
The Summit of the Future on 22 to 23 September kicked off the High-Level Week with the landmark adoption of the Pact for the Future and its annexes: The Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.
A historic breakthrough for multilateralism, the Pact and its annexes are the product of many months of negotiations under the leadership of all the co- facilitators, the Permanent Representatives of Germany, Namibia, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Jamaica, Sweden and Zambia.
In the final days leading up to the Summit, the President of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly Philémon Yang spearheaded efforts to ensure the Pact and its annexes were delivered.
“The Pact for the Future, together with its annexes, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations, set us on a stronger course of transformation,” stated President Yang at the closing of the Summit.
He added that these instruments outline commitments to accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provide a framework for addressing some of the challenges that have been plaguing international cooperation and multilateralism.
Amidst a world gripped by rising geopolitical tensions, a crippling debt crisis and a climate emergency, the Pact calls for the promotion of international peace and security, implementation of the SDGs, just and inclusive societies and technologies that serve the common good of humankind.
One of the priorities of President Yang at the 79th session will be rebuilding trust and solidarity through dialogue to enhance the collective response of Member States to global challenges.
Presiding over the General Debate, President Yang stressed the importance of international cooperation.
“At our disposal is one of the most powerful tools for positive change: international cooperation grounded in the undeniable truth that even the most powerful nations cannot solve these complex, borderless challenges alone,” he stated.
On the margins of the General Debate, President Yang held meetings with the visiting Heads of States and Governments, Ministers, Heads of UN entities and exchanged views on the priorities and key global issues on the agenda of the United Nations.
Among key issues raised during the Debate included calls for an end to conflicts, the reform of the Security Council, greater representation by African states in the global arena, the climate crisis, sustainable development, poverty, inequality, gender equity, and the adverse effect in technological and digital transformation.
Other high-level events
- The UNGA Platform for Women Leaders (24 September).
The message was clear: without women in leadership, our global goals will remain out of reach.
Over 100 speakers called for urgent action to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees, increase financing for climate action, and protect the 1.2 billion people at risk of displacement.
- The High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (26 September)
World leaders adopted a Political Declaration and made a clear commitment to reduce the 4.9 million deaths associated with bacterial antimicrobial resistance by 10% by 2030.
- The High-Level Meeting to Promote and Commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (26 September)
With the risk of a renewed arms race increasing, the call for nuclear-weapons states to honor their commitments was underscored.
Key links
Website: https://www.un.org/pga/79/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UNPGA
X (Twitter): www.twitter.com/UN_PGA
Instagram: www.instagram.com/unpga
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/un-pga79/
Photo Repository: https://opga79.imgbb.com/
Media Contacts
Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, Tel: 1 646-342-5873, email: birchs@un.org
Mariam Shaikh, Dr, Advisor, Media and Communications, Office of the President of the General Assembly, Tel: 1 917-361-4990, email: mariam.shaikh@un.org
