UNGA President Expresses Optimism for UN Future

UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Dennis Francis said at the UNGA's 78th session, "it is time for the violence in Gaza to stop." Francis explained in his last press conference Monday evening, that the UNGA resumed its 10th emergency extraordinary session and adopted three crucial resolutions related to civilians' protection, a call for a ceasefire, and recognition of Palestine's eligibility for membership in the UN. He expressed his optimism for the future of the UN for some reasons, adding that it is "because there is no other organization on this planet like the UN that has the capacity or the commitment to do what the UN does. It simply does not exist anywhere else." He highlighted the outcomes of the three High-Level Meetings on health, affirming that they put people-centered health and care at the heart of the international agenda. Francis also spoke about the commemorative events held by UNGA during its 78th session, which concludes later Tuesday, including the celebration of the 75th anniversary o f the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the first UNGA Sustainability Week, where global issues related to tourism, energy, and debt were discussed. Former Prime Minister of Cameroon Philemon Yang is set to assume the presidency of the 79th session of the UNGA, which begins today. The high-level general debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly will begin on Sept. 24, 2024. Source: Qatar News Agency