The 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) was declared open by Khalilur Rahman, the new president of the General Assembly, on Tuesday.
Rahman took an oath of office and was handed the gavel of the assembly at the closing session of the 80th UNGA session held earlier on the day.
In his speech at the opening session of the 81st session at the UN headquarters in New York, Rahman said he was assuming his responsibility at a consequential moment for the United Nations.
As the world body enters its ninth decade, many achievements deserve recognition, he said, noting that, at the same time, the world body faces grave challenges.
"Conflicts continue to inflict immense human suffering. Development gains remain feeble and fragile. Climate impacts are intensifying. Together, these challenges have brought trust in multilateralism under tremendous strain," he said.
He said his main pledge for the 81st session is to work tirelessly to revive trust in this organization, upon which the success of member states' collective action ultimately depends. This conviction is the spirit behind the theme of this 81st session: "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All."
Centering on the restoration of trust, the 81st UNGA session will focus its work around six priorities: to strengthen peace and security, accelerate sustainable development, step up climate action, advance human rights, help ensure that technological transformation serves people everywhere, and restore trust in multilateralism, he said.
Rahman said he will continue to support the process of the UN reform, serving as a bridge between the member states and the secretary-general and his team.
Regarding the selection of the next secretary-general, which kicked off during the 80th UNGA session and will be finalized during the 81st session, Rahman said he will ensure this process remains fair, inclusive and transparent, abiding fully by the existing rules and by the Article 97 of the UN Charter.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his remarks, said the global problem-solving system is more crucial than ever in these tumultuous times, as the world faces conflicts, divisions, a risk of nuclear escalation, persistent poverty and inequality, worsening climate chaos, and sluggish progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
Displacement is near record levels. Human suffering is intensifying while funding for aid and development is being slashed. The institutions of the multilateral system, from the UN Security Council to the international financial architecture, are straining to meet the moment. International law and human rights, the core of the United Nations, are too often flouted with impunity. And geopolitical mistrust and suspicion continue to block the effective solutions that are needed, and erode people's faith in the possibilities of global cooperation, he added.
Guterres expressed the hope that under Rahman's leadership, the UNGA, through diplomacy, dialogue and collaboration, can rebuild the trust and good faith that are missing from today's geopolitics, and ensure the people of the world inherit a better, healthier and more peaceful future.
81st session of UN General Assembly opens
