What's at stake at the 80th session of the UNGA

UNGA Debate in September 2023 (Wikimedia).

The entire world has been waiting on the edge of its seat for the 2025 United Nations General Assembly meeting. Having opened on September 9 at the UNHQ in New York City, this conference marks the UNGA’s eightieth session, under the theme “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights”.

With only five years to go until 2030, a primary topic at this year’s conference is the urgency of promoting the 2030 Agenda, which highlights 17 Sustainable Development Goals described by the UN as “the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.” The annual SDG Moment will take place on September 22 to highlight progress towards these goals.

Also scheduled for September 22 is the Conference on the Question of Palestine. Co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, this conference aims to promote peaceful dialogue regarding safety and humanitarianism in Israel and Palestine, with the goal of implementing the New York Declaration for a two-state solution. When first debated in July, 142 out of 193 GA member states voted in favor of this initiative. 10 countries—including Israel and the United States—voted against it, and 12 abstained. Alongside the establishment of a Palestinian state, the New York Declaration also requires an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all Israeli hostages held in the territory.

High-level general debate will begin the following day, September 23, and continue throughout the week. The General Assembly will discuss topics such as the climate crisis, the advent of AI, and the status of refugees in Myanmar. Debate will close on September 29.