14 September 2010: In his opening statement, Joseph Deiss, President of the 65th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), underscored the role played by the Assembly in relieving those affected by poverty, as well as those threatened by war, climate change or natural disasters.He outlined the three main areas of work of the 65th session, namely: achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); reinstating the UN and the UNGA at the centre of global governance; and promoting sustainable development. On the latter, he underscored the need for concerted efforts from all countries to address climate change, vulnerability to natural disasters and threats to biodiversity. He added that environmental issues will figure prominently on the 65th session’s agenda. He stressed that the term ‘green economy’ has different meanings to different groups, adding that “for me ‘green economy’ does not mean ‘new conditionality’ but rather ‘opportunity’.” [UNGA President’s Statement] [UN Press Release]