By Merve Aydogan
HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The 79th session of the UN General Assembly kicked off Tuesday with the resolution of conflicts as one of its main priorities.
Dennis Francis, president of the 78th General Assembly, handed over the gavel to his successor, Philemon Yang.
Yang, Cameroon’s candidate, who was elected as president of the 79th General Assembly in June, took the oath and assumed office.
Saying that his main priority would be sustainable economic growth, Yang also noted that another priority is peace and security.
"I will urge the assembly to intensify its determination, to prioritize the resolution of conflicts, including the intractable ones in the Gaza Strip, Haiti and Ukraine," he said, adding that "human rights will remain at the core of our General Assembly."
Yang also emphasized that he would work to strengthen international legal frameworks.
In his address to the General Assembly, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that last year was very "tumultuous" with poverty, inequality and injustice as well as conflict and violence persisting.
Guterres also recalled that last year was "the hottest" year on record, saying "this session also closes at a time of growing hope and inspiration in what we can achieve if we work as one."
He emphasized that many tasks lie ahead for member states in the 79th session.
"This is the place where solutions are made. And we need solutions across the board.
"In confronting the challenges before us, the United Nations General Assembly remains an indispensable tool and a vital pathway towards a peaceful and just future for all people," he added.
Francis said that serving in his role as president of the 78th session of the General Assembly had been the "honor and privilege of a lifetime."
He stressed that he adhered to the principles of the UN Charter throughout his term.
He said that due to various circumstances, he was unable to meet with Israelis and Palestinians on the ground but closely followed developments and raised the issue at every meeting.
Francis further expressed his heartfelt wish that the ongoing efforts would lead to a cease-fire and a long-term political solution.
Emphasizing that manmade suffering had increased globally, with Gaza being one of the most visible examples, Francis said: "Over the course of last year, we have witnessed a scale of death and destruction not seen in decades."
- Palestinian participation at General Assembly
On May 10, a resolution adopted at the General Assembly called for the reconsideration of Palestine’s UN membership in the UN Security Council and the granting of additional rights to Palestine, which holds observer status.
The resolution called for arrangements to allow Palestine to participate in General Assembly sessions, UN meetings and conferences, specifying that this would be done "on an exceptional basis and without setting a precedent."
In this regard, Yang announced that the necessary arrangements had been made.
Palestine’s Permanent Mission to the UN announced via social media that they would take their place among member states for the first time by participating in the General Assembly session.
- 79th UN General Assembly to begin on Sept. 22
The 79th UN General Assembly, which annually brings world leaders together in New York, will officially open on Sept. 22 with the "Summit of the Future."
The high-level week, during which world leaders deliver their speeches, will begin on Sept. 24. High-level participation from 190 countries is expected at the General Assembly.