The General Assembly’s journey over the past 12 months had been momentous, historic and challenging, as Member States stepped up to address conflicts, significant political developments and other pressing global issues of the day, General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser ( Qatar) said today, just days before handing over to his successor on Tuesday.

The Secretary-General says he is deeply disturbed by the recent violence in Libya and elsewhere in the Middle East. He condemns the hateful film that appears to have been deliberately designed to sow bigotry and bloodshed. He calls for calm and restraint, and stresses the need for dialogue, mutual respect and understanding. He echoed this message at the opening session of the General Assembly High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace.

Human security and human development must be at the “centre of the equation” if Afghanistan was to find peace and prosperity, Michael Keating, Deputy Special Representative for that country, said at a Headquarters press conference today.

Robert Serry, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, told the Security Council this morning that the lack of progress between Israelis and Palestinians on the political track, and the continuing conflict and occupation put at risk the viability of the two-State solution. He said the financial and economic crisis affecting the Palestinian Authority is a sobering manifestation of that risk.

The Security Council adopted a resolution this morning expressing its determination to work closely with the new institutions and offices of the Somali authorities, and encouraging the new President to appoint an inclusive, accountable Government. The Council reiterated its support for the African Union Mission in Somalia.

Solutions to bridge the massive gap in access to sustainable energy between the global North and South – particularly solutions emanating from the South – would be showcased at an innovative international expo in November, experts involved in organizing the event said at a Headquarters press conference today.

The UN system High-level Task Force on Food Security met today. Chaired by the Secretary-General, with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as the Vice-Chair, it discussed food prices in the context of the current world food security situation, concluding that Governments and the international community have the opportunity to prevent rising food prices from creating additional hardship.

United Nations officials today launched an online platform for the exchange of information on expertise to support countries emerging from conflict in building institutions for inclusive governance, security, justice, jobs, economic growth and service delivery among other areas.

The rule of law will take centre stage at United Nations Headquarters next week, as Heads of State and Government gather for the first-ever high-level General Assembly meeting on that topic, and for the 2012 Treaty Event to be held under the same theme, experts involved in those initiatives said at a press conference today.