The historic 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly will begin on September 15. (Folder)
The United Nations:
World leaders will present pre-recorded video statements for the United Nations General Assembly session in September, the 193-member organization decided, as heads of state and government will not physically attend the annual gathering due of the coronavirus pandemic and the level session goes virtual for the first time in the 75-year history of the UN.
The historic 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly will begin on September 15. The general debate takes place at the start of each session of the General Assembly and typically lasts for more than a week when the leaders and ministers of the 193 UN member states address the world. from the iconic lectern in the General Assembly Hall.
The General Assembly on Wednesday adopted a decision that “each member state, observer state and the European Union may submit a pre-recorded declaration from its head of state, vice-president, crown prince or princess, head of government, minister or vice-president. Minister, who will be played in the General Assembly Hall during the General Debate of the Assembly at its seventy-fifth session, the high-level segment to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations and the meetings high level … after presentation by their representative physically present in the Assembly Hall. “
While making its decision, the General Assembly noted “with concern” the situation regarding the coronavirus pandemic and the “recommended limitations for meetings at United Nations premises as a precaution to contain the spread of COVID-19 “.
The new format will mean that it will be for the first time in the 75-year history of the world organization that world leaders do not gather here for the high-level week that brings together thousands of diplomats, representatives of the government, members of civil society and journalists. from all over the world to New York.
Telecommuting arrangements have been in place at UN headquarters here since mid-March, as the coronavirus spreads rapidly in New York City, making the state the epicenter of the pandemic in the United States.
The UN headquarters began its first phase of reopening on July 20, under which no more than 400 people will be allowed to be on the premises on any given day, in order to minimize the risk of exposure to the virus and allow for physical distance. Those on the premises will need to follow strict social distancing guidelines.
The UN has said that given the evolving nature of the situation and the many uncertainties remaining regarding COVID-19, the transition from one phase to another may not be linear and at any time revert to a previous phase.
During phase 2, the seat occupancy rate will gradually increase from 10 to 40%, while phase 3 or the “new standard” is being designed and will build on lessons learned from previous phases.
The General Assembly meeting to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations will take place on September 21 and the Declaration will be formally adopted at the meeting. The general debate of the 75th session of the Assembly will start on 22 September.
Along with the general debate and the commemoration of the 75th anniversary, key sessions will also be held virtually at the UN, the Assembly decided.
The biodiversity summit will be held on September 30, the General Assembly meeting to mark the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women on October 1 and the meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Elimination total nuclear weapons on October 2. Member States will also present their pre-recorded video statements for these meetings. Each country would be encouraged to respect the 15-minute time limit for the general debate which would include remarks in the Assembly Hall to present the pre-recorded video and the video itself.
General Assembly President Tijjani Muhammad-Bande told member states that in order to limit the footprint and number of people in the United Nations building, physical access and attendance will be limited to one or, if the situation permits, two delegates to the General Assembly. room.
In addition, he said member states “are encouraged to move all side events to virtual platforms to limit the footprint and number of people in the United Nations building.”
Speaking to a virtual press conference in June, Muhammad-Bande said world leaders could not come to New York for the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in September due to the COVID-pandemic. 19.
“World leaders cannot come to New York because they cannot come alone. A president does not travel alone. So we do not expect to have presidents here,” Muhammad-Bande said.
The session of the General Assembly was of particular significance this year as it would have commemorated 75 years of the existence of the United Nations and would have seen a huge participation of the leaders of the 193 Member States to mark the anniversary.
