Moving Forward Together: My Priorities for the Resumed 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

As we enter 2025, the world finds itself at a crossroads: we can either resign ourselves to the inevitability of crises—conflict, poverty, hunger, and the climate emergency among them—or take decisive steps away from the precipice, towards a brighter future.
As President of the United Nations General Assembly, I am committed to take a proactive approach. For the world continues to look to the United Nations, and the General Assembly—representing the aspirations of 193 Member States and 8 billion people—for solutions to our shared challenges.
It is imperative to sustain our efforts to revitalize the General Assembly and ensure it is fit for purpose in confronting the complexities of the 21st century. It is the same resolve that underscores the Pact for the Future, a roadmap designed to advance peace, sustainable development, and human rights for all.
Building on this momentum, and guided by my vision for this 79th session—“Unity in diversity for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for everyone, everywhere”—I am determined to transform promises into tangible progress. In this spirit, allow me to outline the priorities I will champion during this session, each grounded in my unwavering belief in the enduring relevance of this great institution.
First, peace remains paramount. The violence and conflicts we see today—in Palestine, Sudan and Ukraine—threaten to engulf the world in chaos. If left unchecked, we risk repeating in this century the horrors that scarred the first half of the 20th.
The General Assembly, in particular, has a critical role to play. Against the backdrop of an increasingly paralyzed Security Council, the Assembly must be ready to act. It must remain an active and complementary force in matters of international peace and security, as mandated by the UN Charter and relevant resolutions.
One of my first priorities will be to convene a high-level thematic debate on the multifaceted aspects of peace and security in Africa and the future of peacekeeping operations, emphasizing the potential role for African Union–led peace operations funded through assessed contributions.
To tackle the destabilizing impact of small arms and light weapons, I will also convene a joint meeting between the General Assembly and the UN Economic and Social Council. Addressing the pernicious effects of the uncontrolled flow of these weapons demands a united, global effort.
Second, sustainable development demands renewed focus. With only five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and despite the disappointing pace of progress, very much can be done.
Indeed, we must press forward with greater urgency and renewed purpose, fully cognizant of the stakes. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are not merely aspirations; they represent a comprehensive framework to secure a better, more just world for both present and future generations.
Resource mobilization and financing are critical, and what is more, it is entirely achievable. The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in July and the Second World Social Summit later this year provide crucial opportunities to unlock resources, strengthen financial governance, and accelerate progress on the SDGs.
Third, promoting human rights and fostering human dignity must underpin all our efforts. The General Assembly must prioritize human rights across its entire agenda. These rights—all human rights—are non-negotiable and must be defended for everyone, everywhere, including in times of conflict.
In Ja...