The Nelson Mandela Peace Summit concluded today as senior Government officials and representatives of international organizations called on world leaders to uphold the principles Mr. Mandela stood for — courage, humility and tolerance — to promote peace and stability across the globe. Speakers stressed that Mr. Mandela’s teachings are the foundation for global peace initiatives.
As the General Assembly concluded its high‑level debate amid calls for regional solidarity, multilateralism and respect for human rights, Assembly President María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés (Ecuador) said discussions over the past week underscored not only the relevance of the 193‑member organ, but the Organization as a whole.
World leaders underscored the continuing threats of terrorism and cybersecurity while urging protection of valuable principles such as freedom of the press and peaceful electoral processes, as the General Assembly general debate entered its fifth day.
As the General Assembly entered the fourth day of its general debate today, world leaders once again called to the fore the threats posed by climate change and unilateralism and their impact on international peace and security, while also highlighting several successful transitions from conflict to peace as proof that diplomacy and multilateralism are effective and offer a hopeful sign for the future.
World leaders in the General Assembly today vowed to scale up efforts to prevent and control non‑communicable diseases, approving a draft political declaration during a high‑level meeting that commits them to providing greater policy coherence through a whole‑of‑Government approach.
As the General Assembly entered the third day of its general debate, African leaders underscored their countries’ efforts towards greater democracy and sustainable development, with calls for expanded multilateral cooperation and Security Council reforms.
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks, as prepared for delivery by Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, at the third high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, in New York today:
With the global security environment deteriorating, nuclear weapons remain a clear threat to international peace and security, and urgent steps must be taken to resume progress on the long road to total disarmament, speakers said today at the General Assembly’s high-level plenary meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
Tackling a wide range of international concerns ranging from the long‑term consequences of colonialism and climate change to increasing inequality and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, nearly 40 Heads of State and Government recalled the lessons of history and spoke of challenges, initiatives and progress, as the General Assembly general debate entered its second day.
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the high‑level meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, in New York today: