The General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly opens in New York on Tuesday with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expected to warn of a world and a planet in crisis.
The theme for the current session is “Building resilience through hope to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainability, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people and revitalize the United Nations.”
The opening segment of the annual debate will also see speeches delivered by the Presidents of Brazil and the United States. International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor is also attending the General Assembly.
US President Joe Biden will make his maiden address to the General Assembly with the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and human rights likely to provide key pillars to what should be a markedly different tone at the UN, compared to his predecessor.
UN Chief Antonio Guterres is expected to, as he does annually, sound the alarm of a world in peril as it faces challenges on multiple fronts, none more urgent than recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly around the issue of vaccine inequity, while concerns around a planet on the boil and an inadequate global response to climate change have many here nervous.
South Africa’s International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor met with the UN Chief in person on Monday, while President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the Assembly virtually on Thursday.
VIDEO: UN General Assembly begins
