Philemon Yang of Cameroon elected President of upcoming General Assembly session

Philemon Yang of Cameroon elected President of upcoming General Assembly session

President-elect Yang also served as the Chairperson of the Panel of Eminent Africans of the African Union, demonstrating “unwavering dedication” to the principles of peace, sustainable development and human dignity, Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly said. “His steadfast leadership has also been characterized by a consistent commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and inclusivity –…

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UPDATING LIVE: UN General Assembly votes by large majority for immediate humanitarian ceasefire during emergency session

UPDATING LIVE: General Assembly to hold emergency session on Israel-Palestine crisis

09:55 AM Aid operations have come to a standstill since the start of the military’s ground operation in Rafah, with an estimated 100,000 Palestinians displaced once again, in a highly fluid situation, according to humanitarians. The Assembly is also expected to vote on a draft resolution, co-sponsored by a group of countries, concerning the status…

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General Assembly debates Russia’s veto of space arms race resolution

General Assembly debates Russia’s veto of space arms race resolution

Due to the negative Russian vote, the Security Council failed to adopt last month’s text, which received 13 votes in favour, with China abstaining. The draft resolution was introduced by United States and Japan and co-sponsored by over 60 nations. Assembly Vice-President Ahmad Faisal Muhamad opened the debate by reading a message from Dennis Francis,…

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General Assembly debates Security Council’s rising veto use

General Assembly debates Security Council’s rising veto use

Assembly President Dennis Francis emphasised that the Security Council remains unable to collectively address critical peace and security situations in the Gaza Strip, Mali, Syria and Ukraine as well as concerning the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). “At this precarious time of heightened geopolitical tensions and when ongoing and emerging crises demand our urgent and…

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Transform landmark Indigenous rights declaration into reality: UN General Assembly President

Transform landmark Indigenous rights declaration into reality: UN General Assembly President

“In these trying times – where peace is under severe threat, and dialogue and diplomacy are in dire need – let us be an example of constructive dialogue to honour our commitments to Indigenous Peoples,” Dennis Francis told world leaders and ambassadors meeting in the General Assembly Hall. Member States convened to commemorate the 10th…

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UPDATING LIVE: UN General Assembly votes by large majority for immediate humanitarian ceasefire during emergency session

General Assembly adopts landmark resolution on artificial intelligence

Adopting a United States-led draft resolution without a vote, the Assembly also highlighted the respect, protection and promotion of human rights in the design, development, deployment and the use of AI. The text was “co-sponsored” or backed by more than 120 other Member States. The General Assembly also recognized AI systems’ potential to accelerate and…

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Stories from the UN Archive: UN General Assembly’s first female president

Stories from the UN Archive: UN General Assembly’s first female president

Ms. Pandit was a veteran politician and leader in her own right but also came from a family background steeped in politics, including her brother, Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister following the country’s hard-won independence from a near century of British rule. An active Indian nationalist, she was also the first Indian woman to…

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UPDATING LIVE: UN General Assembly votes by large majority for immediate humanitarian ceasefire during emergency session

UPDATING LIVE: General Assembly meets to examine US veto of Gaza draft resolution

10:51 AM Israel: Ceasefire must have pre-conditions Gilad Menashe Erdan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Israel to the UN, said that it has been 150 days since Hamas committed “the most brutal and barbaric massacre since the Holocaust”. “Once again, this body [General Assembly] has convened not to condemn Hamas, no. Not to condemn their…

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