Taking the pulse of the planet as the world gathers at the UN — Global Issues

The streets around the UN headquarters in Midtown Manhattan will be cordoned off, roadblocks erected and security tightened and tightened, as world leaders gather to take the pulse of the planet for a week of high-level events and come together to tackle global challenges.

The 78th session of the UNGA begins on September 6 and will be followed by a series of key meetings and summits on September 18, without forgetting of course the general debate where each Member State benefits from a global platform to focus on issues of international importance.

Here’s what to watch out for at UNGA 78:

1. Take the pulse of the world

President of UNGA 78 Dennis Francis of Trinidad and Tobago will open the gavel on September 19 at the annual ceremony General debatewhere world leaders will discuss accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) under the theme Restore trust and revive global solidarity.

All UN member and observer states have the right to deliver a speech in the General Assembly Hall and until September 25, their representatives will present and explore solutions to a myriad of intertwined global challenges to advance the peace, security and sustainable development.

A custom created in 1955 during the tenth United Nations General Assembly continues today, with Brazil coming first on the podium, followed by the United States, as host country of the UN headquarters, and the entire members of the UN.

To agree live or visit our Coverage of UN meetingswhere colleagues produce daily summaries in English And French.

2. Sustainable Development Goals – The SDG Summit

As the centerpiece of the UNGA 78 High Level Week, the SDG Summit will be the central platform for Heads of State and Government to provide political leadership on the implementation of the 2030 Agendathe broad global action plan focused on achieving the 17 SDGs.

Kicking off the high-level week on 18-19 September, the SDG Summit aims to mark the start of a new era of progress towards the goals, which has been slowing, culminating in the adoption of a strategy focused on the future. political statement.

The 2030 Agenda is a promise, not a guarantee. Halfway there (the agenda was launched in 2015), this promise is under serious threat. Development progress faces the combined impacts of climate disasters, conflicts, economic slowdown and the lingering effects of climate disasters. COVID-19.

“The September SDG Summit must be a moment of unity to build new momentum and accelerated action to achieve the SDGs,” says the UN. Secretary-General António Guterres said.

The two-day event will serve as a rallying cry to rebuild momentum. It also aims to provide high-level policy guidance, identify progress and emerging challenges, and mobilize new actions towards reaching the 2030 finish line.

Learn more about the SDG Summit here.

3. Climate justice, the actors and the actors

On September 20, world leaders will seek to turn their words into action at the Climate Ambition Summit. A political milestone to lead by example in the face of the ever-worsening climate crisis, the event will focus on three areas of acceleration: ambition, credibility and implementation.

The big problem: How best to transition the world from emissions-producing fossil fuels to clean, green energy.

The UN Secretary-General’s “to-do” lists cite concrete actions needed by governments, businesses and financial leaders, Climate Action Acceleration Program has a guide to five essential steps the world must take to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

“Now is the time for ambition and action,” the UN chief said. “I look forward to welcoming trailblazers and doers to my Climate Ambition Summit. The world is watching and the planet cannot wait. »

Learn more about the Climate Ambition Summit here.

4. Shaping a brighter post-pandemic world

World leaders will consider the best path forward, from preparing for future pandemics to building sustainable economies, with the overarching goal of improving the health of people and the planet.

A safer world: The President of the UNGA and the World Health Organization (WHO) will convene a meeting on pandemic preparedness for heads of state and government on the 20th. statement which aims to mobilize political will at the national, regional and international levels. Learn more here.

Health for all: A meeting on universal health care on September 21 will examine lessons learned from COVID-19 along with evidence-based recommendations to accelerate progress toward health care for all by 2030. Learn more here.

Spread the word: Also on September 20, a high-level dialogue on financing for development aims to provide political leadership and guidance on the implementation of the 2015 Agreement. Addis Ababa Action Agenda, a United Nations framework for mobilizing resources to achieve the SDGs. It also hopes to identify emerging progress and challenges as well as ways to spark new successes. Learn more here.

Fighting the tuberculosis epidemic: A high-level meeting on the fight against tuberculosis will take place on September 21 with the main objective of implementing a review of progress made in achieving the objectives set under the 2018 Action Plan. political statement, and in the SDGs. Learn more here.

5. Prepare for the Future Summit

A ministerial meeting on September 21 will see delegates prepare the ground for the September 2024 meeting. Future Summit.

The UN Secretary-General hopes that this event will forge a new global consensus to prepare the world for a future filled with risks but also opportunities.

Ministers will discuss how the multilateral system can address emerging global risks and challenges and present concrete and ambitious proposals to strengthen and transform the global system.

An action-oriented “pact for the future” should be agreed by Member States.

Learn more about the preparatory meeting here.