General Assembly

Amid signs that countries were slowly pulling back from the brink of recession, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today cautioned world leaders attending the General Assembly’s annual debate that serious challenges remained, and that tackling the fallout from ongoing crises in food, energy and climate would require nothing less than rising to the call of an exceptional moment in history.

The United Nations Peacebuilding Commission has learned of a “window of opportunity” in Guinea-Bissau, stemming from the peaceful elections there, for which increased international support is needed.

Acting on the recommendations of its General Committee, the United Nations General Assembly this morning adopted the work programme and agenda for its sixty-fourth session, which contained more than 160 items.

The sixty-fourth session of the General Assembly appeared to be off to a strong start as the 192-member body had adopted its agenda –- without reservations –- in less than an hour, newly installed Assembly President Ali Abdussalam Treki (Libya) said at Headquarters today.

The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, meeting back to back with the Security Council briefing this morning by the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, heard briefings on the latest developments in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and progress in the political process, and reviewed its activities since its last meeting in May.

Poverty eradication, climate change, the international financial system and development were among key topics approved for consideration by the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) this morning as it approved its organization of work for the sixty-fourth session of the General Assembly.

Opening the General Assembly’s sixty-fourth session today, incoming President Ali Abdussalam Treki of Libya underscored that the United Nations and, in particular, the Assembly, “is the way to a better future”, and called on people of all colours, religions and origin to engage in dialogue through the Organization and its most representative body.

Mourad Benmehidi, Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations, was elected Chair of the Sixth Committee (Legal) on 10 June.

Peter Maurer, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations, was elected Chair of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) on 10 June.

Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations, was elected Chair of the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) on 10 June.