General Assembly opens new session with plea for unity to tackle global crises

"Moving forward the myriad of issues before us will require hard work, integrity, and partnership," the Assembly's President for its 66th session, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser of Qatar, told the meeting, which was dedicated to the memory of Dag Hammarskjцld, who died in a plane crash in 1961 while trying to bring peace to the nascent country now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN News Centre reports.

"The sands are shifting. We have before us a unique opportunity to shape change and ensure that our next chapter will be safer for the most vulnerable, more prosperous for those in need, and kinder to Planet Earth."

He outlined four main areas of focus for this year's session. The first is the peaceful settlement of disputes, a need that has become more relevant and urgent than ever. "It is my view that the General Assembly should, through its revitalization, become more engaged and empowered on issues of mediation, so that it can fulfil its role as the world's preeminent peacemaker at this major juncture in international relations," he said.

Turning to UN reform, Mr. Al-Nasser called for revitalizing the Assembly's work so that it remains efficient, effective and representative, especially in responding early to emerging crises, and for reforming the Security Council.

The Council, whose resolutions alone are legally binding while the Assembly's are recommendations, has not changed in decades, with five permanent members with veto powers - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States - and 10 non-permanent members without veto elected for two-year terms. Formal talks to reform it have been under way for more than 18 years.

"There is no shame in recognizing that after six decades our organization needs reform," Mr. Al-Nasser said.

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