15 June 2015: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has elected Mogens Lykketoft of Denmark as President of its 70th session. Lykketoft, currently the Speaker of the Parliament of Denmark and former Finance and Foreign Minister, chose as the theme for UNGA 70 ‘The UN at 70 – a new commitment to action.’

Addressing UN Member States after his election at UN Headquarters in New York, US, on 15 June 2015, Lykketoft expressed his intention to seek pragmatic and action-oriented outcomes that can provide guidance on timely and effective implementation for all actors. He said he will conduct the Presidency in a transparent, inclusive and open manner, and stressed the need to find ways to achieve sustainable growth, create development, eradicate extreme poverty and deliver “a more equitable access to and distribution of global goods.”

Congratulating the President-elect, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that when Lykketoft was finance minister of his country, Denmark dramatically exceeded the development assistance target to help even more people struggling against poverty. He expressed his hope to see a stronger commitment to “multilateralism, international cooperation and global solidarity” during the 70th session.

Sam Kutesa, current UNGA President, characterized the 70th session as historic, noting that governments are expected to adopt an ambitious and transformative post-2015 development agenda and work toward a universal climate change agreement.

UNGA 70 will begin on 15 September 2015. [UN Press Release] [UN Secretary General’s Statement] [Denmark Press Release and Remarks of President-elect] [UNGA President Kutesa Remarks]