This Tuesday the president of the General Assembly UN Secretary-General Philémon Yang presented a detailed vision of his priorities for 2025, calling it an opportunity for “a new beginning.”
Under the theme Unity in Diversity, Yang emphasized the need for collective action to address pressing global challenges and achieve tangible progress.
He outlined critical events by highlighting the events entrusted to the 79th session, including the High-Level Meeting to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth and the World Social Summit for Social Development. Reflecting on these milestones, Philémon Yang said: “These meetings are an integral part of our efforts to address the challenges facing our world.”
The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, scheduled for July in Spain, was described as “crucial” to “raise the urgency of financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)”.
In addition, other high-level meetings will address barriers facing middle-income countries, including discussions on how to move beyond gross domestic product as the primary measure of economic progress.
Two more key moments to bring about change are the High-Level Interactive Dialogue on Culture and Sustainable Development, and the High-Level Meeting on Sand and Dust Storms.
Defending human rights and equality
The President reaffirmed the UN's commitment to the human rights and equality, noting that “throughout our work, We must remember that our mission is to leave no one behind.".
Also highlighted was the proclamation of a second International Decade for People of African Descent, along with plans to promote the rights of older people and address global prison reform on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Nelson Mandela Rules “to ensure the humane treatment of prisoners.”
The General Assembly will also award the Nelson Mandela Prize for the third time in 2025. Given every five years to two outstanding individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving humanity, the prize promotes values guided by the purposes and principles of the UN.
Recognizing the ongoing struggle for gender equality, the president called for participation in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. He said he would push for “both prevention and accountability” and pledged to “promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in all countries, through all aspects of my presidency.”
The 25th anniversary of UN resolution 1325 Security Council It will also be an opportunity to address long-standing challenges in promoting the role of women in peace and security.
Driving climate action and technology
Philémon Yang also highlighted the importance of sustainable development and digital transformation.
The Third United Nations Ocean Conference will be held in June and will focus on supporting “blue economies” and accelerating progress towards Development Goal 14, which aims to conserve and develop sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources.
Meanwhile, the World Summit on the Information Society will address digital divides, bolstered by the establishment of an independent international scientific panel on artificial intelligence.
The panel aims to “build a reliable scientific knowledge base to fully close digital divides” and “create a free, open and secure digital future for all.”
The liquidity crisis must end
Yang called on member states to address the UN’s ongoing liquidity crisis, with the president warning that late payments and the withholding of assessed contributions could lead to “a crisis of confidence in the United Nations.”
He also stressed that “therefore, the financing of the United Nations must never be tied to the resolution of political problems. On the contrary, we must all finance our organization in order to be able to deal with our problems.”
Calling for unity, the president stressed that “as with all our priorities, we will be measured by our actions. We cannot succeed alone. We are counting on you, Member States.".
80 years of the UN Charter
A commemorative meeting of the assembly will be held on 26 June to mark the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter. Reflecting on its historical significance, the President said: “We must recapture this spirit of St. Francis. That powerful spirit must continue to guide us all.”
Consultations are also underway for a possible UN80 Summit in September to further celebrate the milestone.