12 September 2011: At the close of the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), UNGA President Joseph Deiss and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon offered reflections on the year’s work.

In a press conference held on 8 September 2011, Deiss noted progress in three areas: poverty reduction, global governance, and environmental protection and sustainable development. On the latter, he cited accomplishments on biodiversity, such as the high-level meeting held in September 2010 and the launch of the International Year of Forests, and said the Assembly’s thematic debate on green economy in June 2011 had helped advance understanding of the concept and its potential for sustainable economic growth and job creation.

Speaking at the Assembly’s closing on 12 September 2011, Deiss added that the Assembly “could have done more.” He drew attention to conflict and instability in the Middle East and precarious living conditions of too many people.

Also on 12 September, Ban described the past year as “especially challenging” and praised President Deiss’ selection of global governance as a theme, which the UN Secretary-General said helped to reaffirm the UN’s central role. [UN News Centre Story, 8 September 2011] [UN News Centre Story, 12 September 2011] [Statement by UN Secretary-General]