The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) which officially opens on 10th September 2024, marks a key milestone in efforts to accelerate international progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here’s what you need to know about this much-anticipated event.

The UNGA is the main legislative, policymaking body of the United Nations but also refers to the UNGA’s High-level Week of meetings which takes place in September every year —a major event in global politics where world leaders, diplomats, and policymakers come together in New York City to discuss the world’s most pressing issues of the day.

Here’s a brief explainer on how it works, the agenda for 2024, and how significant a role it plays in shaping global governance…

What is the UNGA?

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is one of the six main organs of the United Nations. It’s where all 193 member countries come together to discuss global issues and make decisions. Think of it as a global town hall meeting where each country, big or small, has a voice.  The UNGA High-Level Week, which this year runs from 23-27 September, often serves as a precursor to COP meetings.

How does the UNGA work?

Throughout the UNGA, world leaders deliver speeches, hold meetings, and debate on key global topics. The General Assembly runs on a “one country, one vote” system, which means every country has an equal say.

Key decisions, like budget approvals or recommendations on peace and security, need a two-thirds majority to pass. Other resolutions require a simple majority. While UNGA resolutions are not legally binding, they carry significant weight in international relations.

This year, H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang, of Cameroon, was elected as the President of the General Assembly and will preside over the session’s proceedings.

What are the main topics being discussed at the UNGA?

Each year, the UNGA focuses on different topics that affect the world. In 2024, some of the key issues expected to dominate discussions will be:

  1. Climate change: How can nations work together to limit global warming? What new commitments will countries make to cut emissions?
  2. Global health: The focus will be on pandemic preparedness, vaccine equity, antimicrobial resistance, and global health security. What lessons have we learned from COVID-19?
  3. Peace and security: Ongoing conflicts and tensions, from Ukraine to the Israel-Gaza war, will be discussed. How can the UNGA promote peace and prevent future conflicts?
  4. Human rights: Gender equality, refugees, and the rights of marginalised groups will be major topics. What new resolutions might be adopted to protect human rights worldwide?
  5. Sustainable development: Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be reviewed. What more needs to be done to achieve these goals by 2030?

What are some of the other events taking place around the UNGA and in the lead-up to COP29?

Summit of the Future

The Summit aims to secure a negotiated ‘Pact for the Future’, an action-point document designed to bolster global cooperation and adapt to current challenges effectively for future generations.

24-28 September: General Debate

World leaders will engage in the high-level General Debate which this year has the theme, “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.”

25 September: High-level plenary meeting on addressing the existential threats posed by sea level rise

This meeting will focus on driving international collaboration towards the objective of “addressing the threats posed by sea-level rise”.

26 September: High-Level Meeting on antimicrobial resistance

This meeting will be focused on executing policies and ensuring accountability for strengthening health systems against AMR.

COMING SOON: Defending our Health: Unravelling Antimicrobial Resistance

 

High-level Meeting: International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

This annual High-level plenary meeting promotes the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, as the highest disarmament priority of the United Nations. It was the subject of the General Assembly’s first resolution in 1946.

What impact might the UNGA 2024 have?

The high-level meetings help set the tone for international discussions and negotiations on major global issues for the coming year. Leaders will use the platform to outline their priorities, propose new initiatives, and call for global action on pressing challenges.

The UNGA also provides a platform for vulnerable countries, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), to voice their concerns and advocate for support on issues such as climate change, development finance, and disaster risk reduction.

Nearly halfway to the 2030 deadline for achieving the SDGs, progress has been uneven, with some goals lagging far behind. The UN’s 2023 SDG Report highlighted that progress on over 50% of the targets is weak and insufficient, and in some cases, targets have even regressed due to multiple global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, rising geopolitical tensions, and economic instability.