18 September 2012: The UN General Assembly opened its 67th Session (UNGA 67) on 18 September 2012, in New York, US. Incoming President Vuk Jeremić outlined his priorities for the session, which revolve around the theme of “bringing about adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations by peaceful means.” This will also serve as the theme for the General Debate, taking place from 25 September-1 October.

Linking the theme to other issues, Jeremić noted that peace and security are a prerequisite for the stability needed for global growth, sustainable development and social progress. He said the UNGA should not only focus on achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), but also on the post-2015 agenda. In that regard, the UNGA’s objective should be to fulfill commitments made during the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).

Jeremić called for full implementation of the Rio+20 mandate given to the UNGA, by observing both its procedural deadlines and its political and financial objectives. These include identifying and implementing a series of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he noted, which would put the evolving sustainable development framework in the service of conflict prevention.

He also announced a plan to convene an informal, high-level meeting on global economic governance. The meeting would aim to establish, in the next few years, an effective consultation framework between the UNGA and other mechanisms, such as the Group of 8 (G8), the Group of 20 (G20), and international financial institutions (IFIs), such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

In a press conference on 19 September, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that next week he will present his outline of “where we are and where I believe we need to go,” in light of his action agenda and five generational imperatives announced earlier this year. [UN Press Release, 18 September] [Statement of UN Secretary-General] [UNGA Meeting Summary] [UN Press Release, 19 September] [Press Conference by UN Secretary-General]