15 September 2014: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) concluded its 68th Session with a plenary session in the renovated General Assembly Hall, reflecting on its achievements toward formulating the post-2015 development agenda and future priorities, including continued efforts to revitalize and reform the UN.

UNGA 68 adopted over 300 resolutions and 80 decisions on a range of issues, including on financing for development (FfD) and the rule of law at national and international levels. UNGA 68 also: completed the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS); produced a High Level Declaration on migration and development; and established the UN Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize. In its final session, the Assembly adopted a resolution on ‘Four one-day structured dialogues on possible arrangements for a facilitation mechanism to promote the development, transfer and dissemination of clean and environmentally sound technologies” (A/68/L.62).

In his closing address, UNGA 68 President Ashe thanked delegates for helping to ‘set the stage’ for the post-2015 agenda. He said the “SDGs you have developed will form the main basis for whatever set of concise goals you agree to for the post-2015 development agenda.” Ashe said he had aimed to make progress on revitalizing and reforming the UNGA but noted much remains to be done, particularly on Security Council reform. “While it would be foolhardy to underestimate the challenges inherent in getting to a round of real negotiations on Security Council reform, it must not be a course of action from which we shy away,” he said.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commended Ashe’s leadership, vision and commitment on revitalizing the Assembly and building consensus. He said the UNGA had “truly set the stage for the success of the post-2015 development agenda, including through a number of important thematic debates and valuable high-level events.” Ban said UNGA 68’s efforts “will have a positive effect on our collective long-term future.”

Ashe forwarded the draft resolution, titled ‘Organization of the UN Summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda,’ to the incoming President. He also forwarded the draft resolution, titled ‘Outcome document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples,’ for consideration at the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP). Delegates deferred a number of items to the next session.

The 69th Session of the UNGA opened the following day, on 16 September 2014. Sam Kutesa, Uganda, will serve as President of UNGA 69. [UN Secretary-General Remarks] [UNGA President Remarks] [UN Press Release]