United Nations Headquarters The United Nations General Assembly opened its annual session today with a focus on the long-term developmental agenda.
The newly appointed President of the General Assembly John Ashe, the former Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda, outlined in his opening statement, the need to lay the groundwork for global sustainable development in the years ahead. He declared “The Post 2015 Development Agenda: Setting the Stage”, as the theme for the 68th General Assembly. In this regard, the President will convene 3 High Level Events and 3 thematic debates. These include a High Level Event on the role of the women, youth and civil society in the post 2015 Development Agenda, a High Level segment on the contributions of Human Rights and the Rule of Law in the post 2015 Development Agenda, and a High Level event on South-South, Triangular Cooperation and ICT for Development in the post 2015 Development Agenda. The thematic debates will include one on the role of partnership and its contribution to the post 2015 Development Agenda, thematic debate on how to work towards and ensure stable and peaceful societies in the post 2015 development framework, and a thematic debate on roles of water, sanitation and sustainable energy in the post 2015 development agenda.
The Secretary General of United Nations Ban Ki-moon also underscored the importance of focusing on the future, while sustaining the momentum on achieving the current MDGs.
In addition to the thematic debates and high level segments convened by the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary General will convene a High Level Summit on Climate Change, and the 68th session will include high level debates on migration, disarmament, the MDGs and disabilities as well as on investment in Africa and its role in achieving development objectives.
The Maldives delegation is participating in the 68th session of the General Assembly. It hopes to engage on a number of key national and international priority issues including sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, the situation of Palestine, women in development, rights of the child, rule of law, disarmament, drugs, crime and terrorism. During the session, the Maldives will work with like-minded countries and lobby for its bid for re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for which elections will be held on 12 November 2013.
The General Debate will commence on 24 September 2013, where many Heads of States and Governments will address the Assembly.
The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Maldives in New York is representing the Maldives at the session.
