Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism – UN website reported that, The 75th session of the UN General Assembly opened on Monday with a moment of silence against the unprecedented backdrop of the COVID pandemic, as the new president told delegates that the coronavirus had driven home the value of multilateralism “to address our collective challenges”.
“The context in which we are working, serves to remind us of the necessity of the multilateralism system”, Volkan Bozkir told delegates sitting distanced apart in the gilded hall at New York Headquarters.
He expressed that it was a deep honour to be hosting the session, noting the importance of meeting in person, “so long as health conditions allow”, and affirmed his intension to convene face-to-face meetings as much as possible.
“During the 75th session, we will hold two General Assembly Special Sessions”, he informed the plenary, “one on COVID-19 – the first Special Session convened to discuss a pandemic – and the second against corruption”.
“This year will be a critical one in the life of our Organization”, he said. “We must continue to respond to the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by strengthening health systems and supporting the development and equitable distribution of treatments and vaccines”.
The UN chief highlighted the need to build a strong recovery, based on the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement, while continuing the Assembly’s work across the full range of global challenges ahead, including peace and security, disarmament, human rights, gender equality, and sustainable development.
Marking the 75th anniversary milestone, Mr. Guterres observed that the world has high expectations of the UN as the main multilateral platform in a rules-based international system.
“The nature of multilateralism is changing, and I have frequently pointed to the need for a more networked and inclusive multilateralism for the 21st century”, he flagged, welcoming the Assembly’s pledge “to work towards consolidating trust and cohesion” among Member States, major groups of countries, and other international organizations.
