The High-level Week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) concluded with 190 speakers, including 113 Heads of State and Government and more than 40 ministers and other high-level officials, having addressed the UNGA during the General Debate. UNGA President Philémon Yang reiterated the theme of the 79th session – ‘Unity in diversity, for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for everyone, everywhere,’ noting that “it is not just a guiding principle but ‘a call to action.’”

Throughout the General Debate, speakers emphasized, inter alia, the need for a just global order, equitable resource distribution, and global financial reform. They decried the unilateral actions that threaten to undermine the dignity and development of poorer nations.

Addressing the Assembly at the closing of the General Debate, the UNGA President said this year’s session highlighted the importance of multilateral cooperation in overcoming global challenges, including the climate crisis, poverty, and gender inequality, as well as the inadequacy of the global financial architecture. He underscored the role of the Summit of the Future (SoF) and its outcome documents – the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations – in revitalizing the multilateral system and international cooperation.

The General Debate took place from 24-28 and on 30 September 2024. It was part of the UNGA High-level Week, along with other high-level events, including the Summit of the Future, the High-level Meeting to Address Existential Threats Posed by Sea Level Rise, and the High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The high-level meetings delivered political declarations on ensuring the durability of statehood in the face of climate change-related sea level rise and on addressing AMR through a One Health approach.

On 24 September, the annual SDG Moment 2024 sought to advance key transitions around food systems, renewable energy, and digital connectivity. Convening from 25-27 September, the ENERGYNOW SDG7 Action Forum 2024 served as the platform for “driving momentum and mobilizing action” to achieve SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) by 2030. [UN Meetings Coverage: 30 September 2024] [UN News Story]