The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly began in New York in the presence of Palestine representatives who have been given seats in the General Assembly Hall next to UN member states.
Palestine is not a full member of the 193-member UN body.
The Palestinian Authority’s envoy to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, took his seat on Tuesday afternoon at a table labeled “State of Palestine” between Sri Lanka and Sudan.
The Permanent Mission of Palestine to the UN posted a clip on social media showing interventions by the Egyptian ambassador and the President of the General Assembly to confirm the new seating of the State of Palestine.
Egypt’s representative raised a point with the President to confirm that the necessary arrangements have been made. “This is not just a procedural matter. This is a historic moment for us,” said Egyptian Ambassador Osama Mahmoud Abdelkhalek Mahmoud.
The UN General Assembly President replied: “I am told that all arrangements have been made to put Palestine where it should sit.”
Israel condemned the move. Israel’s representative said the General Assembly’s decision in the matter was motivated by political bias, stressing that United Nations membership and its attendant privileges are reserved exclusively for sovereign States.
On May 10 this year, a resolution was passed to reconsider Palestine’s membership in the United Nations Security Council and to grant additional rights to Palestine with observer status.
The resolution called for arrangements to allow Palestine to participate in General Assembly sessions, United Nations meetings and conferences, clarifying that this would be done “on an exceptional basis and without setting precedent”.
The resolution received an overwhelming majority of 143 votes, including India.
It is notable that India has always reiterated its stand for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. While New Delhi has condemned any terrorist attack, including the October 7 attack by Hamas, it has also called for a homeland for Palestinians.
The Foreign Ministry reiterated to Parliament in February, “We support a two-state solution through negotiations leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, within secure and recognised borders, living in peace with Israel.”
Meanwhile, former Cameroonian Prime Minister Philemon Yang, who was elected President of the 79th General Assembly in June, replaced his predecessor Denis Francis.
“I will urge the General Assembly to intensify its resolve and prioritize the resolution of conflicts, including those in the Gaza Strip, Haiti, and Ukraine,” Yang said.
“Human rights will remain at the core of our General Assembly,” the new UNGA President said.
Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated Yang and noted that the 79th session opens against the backdrop of a “world in crisis,” but added, “The good news is that we can do something about it.”
He said the past year had been “very turbulent”, with poverty, inequality and injustice rising, as well as conflict and violence. Guterres also recalled that last year was the “warmest” year ever, adding “This session ends at a time of growing hope and inspiration about what we can achieve if we work together.”
He stressed that there are many tasks remaining for member countries in the 79th session.
“This is the place where solutions are made. And we need solutions across all sectors. In meeting the challenges we face, the UN General Assembly remains an indispensable tool and a vital path towards a peaceful and just future for all people,” the UN Secretary-General said.
They called for solutions to revitalize the Sustainable Development Goals, end poverty and inequality, boost economic growth and job creation for all, bridge political divides and end conflict, and avert climate disaster. They called for solutions to help developing countries mobilize the financing they need to invest in the future of their people, and to ensure that revolutionary technologies such as artificial intelligence are a boon, not a hindrance, to human progress and equality.
Meanwhile, the historic “Summit of the Future” that brings world leaders together in New York will take place at UN Headquarters on September 22-23, just before the General Assembly’s annual high-level debate.
The theme of the general debate, to be held from 24 to 30 September this year, is “Leaving no one behind: working together to advance peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.”
It will aim to ensure a “Deal for the Future” through negotiations to promote global cooperation to effectively address current challenges for future generations.
There will also be high-level meetings on a wide range of topics, such as the elimination of nuclear weapons, addressing the threat posed by rising sea levels, and strengthening global health systems against antimicrobial resistance.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
