The 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially opened on September 10, 2024 in New York, USA, and concluded on September 30, 2024. This year UNGA coincided with the Summit of the Future held on September 22, 2024. Other major events on the UNGA 79 calendar included the high-level meeting to address existential threats posed by sea-level rise, the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and high-level meeting for the total elimination of nuclear weapons.
Summit of the Future
Heads of State and Government gathered at UN Headquarters on September 22–23, 2024, for the ‘Summit of the Future’. They addressed critical global challenges, reaffirming commitments to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the UN Charter. The summit resulted in the negotiated ‘Pact for the Future’, which aimed at enhancing global cooperation.
The document begins with a preamble, reaffirming commitment to the UN Charter, SDGs, and multilateralism.
The pact has been organised into five sections. The first section Sustainable Development and Financing of Development emphasises on limiting global temperature rise to 1.5° C, transitioning to net zero emission by 2050, and advancing environmental efforts, such as sustainable consumption, tackling plastic pollution, and protecting biodiversity.
The subsequent sections address critical areas, including International Peace and Security through conflict prevention, disarmament, and humanitarian law; Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) and Digital Cooperation to reduce global disparities in science and technology, promote women’s participation, uphold human rights, enhance science-based policymaking, and increase funding for SDG-related research and innovation; Enhancing youth participation in global decision-making, particularly within the UN and establishing mechanisms for engagement and investment in education, health, and resources; and Transforming Global Governance by enhancing the multilateral system by making it more effective, inclusive, just, representative, and financially stable, ensuring it is equipped to address future global challenges.
The document further has two annexes: one is the Global Digital Compact which promotes digital cooperation, governance and development, and another is the Declaration on Future Generations, which recognises the rights and interests of future generations.
SDG Moment 2024
The SDGs are currently off track, but the SDG Moment 2024 on September 24 aimed to showcase that significant progress can still be made by 2030 through collective action and commitment.
It highlighted just transitions in food systems, renewable energy, and digital connectivity, emphasising their role in alleviating hunger, achieving net-zero emissions, and empowering marginalised groups. It also stresses on quality education, skills development, and decent work as essential for a sustainable and equitable future.
The 2024 SDG factsheet provided a comprehensive overview of progress towards some SDGs.
For instance, in 2022, 712 million people (9 per cent of the global population) lived in extreme poverty, an increase of 23 million since 2019. Without intervention, 590 million may remain in extreme poverty by 2030. Ending poverty necessitates comprehensive social protection systems, inclusive economic policies, investments in human capital, strategies to combat inequality and enhance climate resilience, and strong international cooperation and partnerships.
Nearly one in 10 people globally face hunger, with 2.4 billion experiencing food insecurity in 2022. Despite progress, 148 million children under the age of five suffered from stunting, and if trends continue, one in five will be affected by 2030. Achieving zero hunger demands intensified efforts to transform food systems for sustainability, resilience, and equity. Additionally, improving diets, nutrition, health, and hygiene is essential to halve chronic undernutrition among children by the SDG target.
In 2023, climate records were broken as temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions rose. To prevent severe climate chaos, the global community must urgently reduce emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.
Rising conflicts and violent organised crime are causing significant human suffering and hindering sustainable development. As of May 2024, forcibly displaced individuals reached 120 million, while civilian casualties in armed conflicts surged by 72 per cent in 2023.
General Debate
The 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly General Debate took place from September 24 to 30, 2024. The theme of the General Debate was Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations. Several world leaders gathered to discuss pressing global issues, including climate change, poverty, inequality, and geopolitical tensions.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised the need for international cooperation and collective action to address global challenges. He highlighted the importance of unity in tackling climate change, poverty, and inequality. Additionally, Guterres stressed the need for peaceful resolution of conflicts and urged leaders to prioritise diplomacy.
Philemon Yang, President of the UNGA 79 Session emphasised the urgency of addressing global challenges. With only five years remaining to achieve SDG, less than 18 per cent have been met. Yang stressed the climate crisis’ devastating impact on ecosystems and livelihoods, and called for immediate ceasefire in global conflicts, advocating for international law compliance. He highlighted issues such as nuclear threats, gender inequality, and human rights regression issues such as and urged for international cooperation, trust, and dialogue to address these issues.
Yang stressed that collective action and cooperation could overcome complex challenges. He urged world leaders to work together with courage and conviction to prioritise peace, well-being, and dignity for all, particularly vulnerable populations.
President Joe Biden underscored the importance of unity and collective action in addressing global challenges. He condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, emphasising the need to support Ukraine’s sovereignty. Biden further highlighted the significance of preventing a wider war in the region and reaffirmed the US’ commitment to international cooperation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, Espen Barth Eide, reaffirmed Norway’s commitment to the UN Charter and condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Eide emphasised the importance of upholding international law and urged leaders to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue.
Other notable speakers included presidents and representatives from Brazil, Turkiye, Jordan, Guatemala, Switzerland, Colombia, Qatar, South Africa, and Maldives. These leaders addressed various global issues, including climate change and sustainable development, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, human rights and social justice, and economic development and cooperation.
The debate served as a platform for world leaders to engage in dialogue, address pressing global challenges, and promote international cooperation. The session highlighted the need for collective action and unity in tackling the world’s most pressing issues.
High-Level Meeting on Sea-Level Rise
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report has revealed that global sea levels are rising at unprecedented rates due to human-induced global warming, with rates unmatched in the last 3,000 years. Recent research on climate ‘tipping points’ and ice-sheet dynamics has suggested that future sea-level rise (SLR) could be more severe and occur sooner than previously thought. This technical brief summarises the latest science on SLR and its impacts, focusing on major coastal cities in G20 countries and Pacific Small Island Developing States. The findings indicate that sea-level rise has already been affecting coastal communities and low-lying island nations, and urgent climate action is necessary to mitigate devastating consequences. The decisions made by policymakers in the coming years would determine the severity of these impacts.
High-Level Meeting on International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
Achieving global nuclear disarmament has been the UN’s top priority, and it has been a pressing concern since the General Assembly’s first resolution in 1946. This resolution established the Atomic Energy Commission, which aimed to control nuclear energy and eliminate atomic weapons. Even today, the UN continues to push for nuclear disarmament through various efforts, including the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, observed annually on September 26.
Despite the progress, approximately 12,100 nuclear weapons still remain worldwide, with countries possessing them having well-funded plans to modernise their arsenals. The doctrine of nuclear deterrence persists, and the international arms-control framework has been under strain.
The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons aims to raise awareness and educate the public about the threat posed by nuclear weapons and the necessity of their elimination.
High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance 2024
The second High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) was held on September 26, 2024, during the UNGA high-level week. AMR has been threatening global health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The meeting was aimed to address this through a political declaration, co-facilitated by Malta and Barbados, and a multi-stakeholder approach.
India at UNGA 79
On September 23, 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Summit of the Future at the UNGA 79.
The prime minister addressed the gathering, representing 1.4 billion Indians, the world’s largest democracy, after being re-elected for a third term in June 2024. He emphasised the importance of a human-centric approach in achieving sustainable development, prioritising human welfare, food, and health security. He cited India’s success in lifting 250 million people out of poverty as a model for the global south, demonstrating that sustainable development could be successful.
He advocated for global cooperation, institutional reforms, and collective strength for peace, stressing that success lies not in battlefield victories but in unity. The prime minister offered India’s digital public infrastructure to the world, promoting global prosperity and reaffirming India’s commitment to ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.’
Conclusion
The 79th session of the UNGA in 2024 presents a critical opportunity for the global community to address pressing challenges through collaborative action. As nations gather to discuss climate action, health, peace, human rights, and economic recovery, the importance of unity and shared responsibility is underscored.
In a world increasingly defined by its interdependence, the outcomes of this session shape the trajectory of international relations and global cooperation for years to come. The call for decisive action and a commitment to sustainable, inclusive development resonates throughout the assembly, setting the stage for a future that prioritises the well-being of people and the planet alike.
As the UNGA concluded, it is imperative that leaders, diplomats, and citizens alike advocate for meaningful progress, ensuring that the commitments made in this forum translate into tangible benefits for all. Only through collective determination and innovative solutions can the world hope to overcome the challenges it faces and create a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.
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