Doha, September 10 (QNA) - Amidst worsening global crises and accelerating political, military, and economic developments, the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) begins Tuesday in New York, where the issues of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, climate, and epidemics top the agenda, in an attempt to address these complex challenges.

UNGA 79 includes various high-level events, led by the general discussion sessions, which will begin on Sep. 24 and run until Sep. 28, concluding on Sep. 30.

World leaders will gather for the General Debate at this session under the theme "Unity in Diversity for Peace, Sustainable Development and Human Dignity," to discuss pressing issues such as peace and security, sustainable development, climate action, and international cooperation.

The session also includes holding the Future Summit on Sep. 22-23 under the slogan "Future Summit: Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow," which comes to emphasize the urgent need to enhance international cooperation to address several challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality, while addressing the effects of ongoing conflicts and global health crises.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will organize two working days in the lead-up to the Summit to mobilize stakeholders to drive meaningful and long-term action in support of the outcomes of the upcoming conference: the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations.

UNGA 79 agenda also includes three high-level events, including the high-level plenary meeting on addressing the existential threats posed by sea level rise on Sep. 25, where participants will work to develop comprehensive solutions and implementable commitments to combat sea-level rise and ensure a resilient and sustainable future, including for small island developing states and low-lying coastal areas.

The second event is the high-level plenary meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on Sep. 26, which aims to raise awareness of the threat posed by nuclear weapons to humanity and the need to eliminate them.

The third event is the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance on Sep. 26 under the title 'Investing in the Present and Securing Our Future Together: Accelerating Multi-sectoral Global, Regional, and National Actions to Address Anti-microbial Resistance.' Regarding key issues and files anticipated to be discussed during the UNGS 79, Professor of international relations, security, and defense at the Ibn Khaldon Center of Qatar University Dr. Ali Bakir told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that various significant and vital topics that affect international peace and security would be discussed, including climate change and strategies to reduce emissions that cause global warming, implementing sustainable development goals, and discussing the resolution of ongoing conflicts, disputes, and wars in different parts of the world, including the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, the Russian-Ukrainian war, efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and prevent their proliferation, global health and strengthening health systems, human rights and violations of these rights, and other important topics on the international agenda.

Regarding the tragic conditions in the Gaza Strip in particular, and in Palestine and the Middle East in general, and the extent of their presence in the leaders' speeches, discussions, and activities of the session, and what the UN session will add to this worsening humanitarian crisis, Dr. Ali Bakir said that the UNGA is an international platform for presenting and discussing the basic issues in the world and seeking to take decisions on how to deal with them. In this context, this session represents a new opportunity to re-shed light on the basic issues and main challenges in the Middle East, especially the Israeli aggression against the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and the open crises in the region such as Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and other countries in the region, and the main challenges in security, food, water, medicine, education, and other urgent issues.

He pointed out that the main question is to what extent will things be different this time from previous times. Will there be a genuine breakthrough in the nature and mechanism of dealing with these challenges? Dr. Ali Bakir voiced his belief that the level of optimism about the important role of international organizations in addressing these crises is almost at its lowest levels among peoples, if not absent altogether.

Regarding the international atmosphere surrounding the UNGA 79 meetings, Professor of international relations, security and defense at the Ibn Khaldon Center of Qatar University Dr. Ali Bakir indicated that this session is being held in a very difficult and complex international environment, where global crises, such as epidemics, climate change, geopolitical tensions, and economic instability, have created a state of uncertainty and increasing risks that are expected to worsen during the next stage. This naturally includes the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, tensions between the United States and China, and regional conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, all of which contribute to increasing the sense of global insecurity.

He added that the global economy is also facing major challenges, including high prices, inflation, unemployment, disruption of supply chains, and other problems that are likely to have a significant impact on international cooperation and development, while the threat of climate change continues to loom. The effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events and rising sea levels are already having a tangible impact on various parts of the world, and there are also concerns about the spread of future epidemics and diseases such as Mpox (monkeypox).

Dr. Ali Bakir emphasized that all these challenges also reflect negatively toward increasing nationalist, racist, and populist sentiments, which constitute a challenge to the principles of international cooperation and multilateralism. In this regard, he said that given these conditions, the United Nations provides a platform for countries to discuss global issues and seek common ground. On the other hand, deep divisions and competing interests among member states can make it difficult to achieve consensus on important issues.

Regarding the Future Summit, which is being held as part of the activities of the UNGA 79 and the issues presented to it, the Professor of international relations, security and defense at the Ibn Khaldon Center of Qatar University explained that the conference will discuss addressing the pressing global challenges of our time and charting a path for a more sustainable and just future. It aims to enhance global governance, sustainable development, address emerging threats such as climate change, epidemics, and technological disruptions, and enhance confidence in international systems and the need for solidarity among countries to address future challenges.

He stressed that the significance of this summit lies in the fact that it represents an opportunity to ensure a more sustainable and just future for all, expecting that the summit will issue a concise document directed towards joint action known as the "Pact for the Future", which will define the main principles and commitments for global cooperation and sustainable development.

He also indicated that the "Global Digital Charter" is also expected to be issued, which will provide a framework for harnessing the potential of digital technologies while mitigating risks and ensuring equitable access to digital technologies for all. The "Future Generations Declaration" is also expected to be adopted, which emphasizes the importance of intergenerational equality and ensuring that the needs of future generations are considered in decision-making.

Former Cameroonian Prime Minister Philemon Yang, who was elected by acclamation by the UN General Assembly in June to serve as UNGA 79 President, is set to open the general debate, the highlight of each new session of the General Assembly. Leaders and representatives of all UN member states and observers are entitled to address the General Assembly Hall on an issue of their choice.

In June, the United Nations General Assembly elected by acclamation the second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar in New York Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani as vice-chair of the First Committee of the UNGA 79 - the committee related to disarmament and international security matters.

Following his election as UNGA 79 President, Yang warned of the serious challenges threatening the unity of humanity, calling for enhanced dialogue and joint cooperation to resolve global crises.

He voiced his regret over the spread of social inequalities, selfishness, and the struggle for power and various interests, noting that there are forces that threaten the cohesion of humanity and weaken global solidarity. He stressed that the ongoing geopolitical and geostrategic tensions are exacerbating the lack of trust between countries, which requires a collective response to confront these challenges.

The UNGA 79 President noted the escalating and unstoppable arms race, including in space, the massive increase in military budgets, and the threat of the use of nuclear weapons that threaten global security.

Yang emphasized that the General Assembly is the most appropriate forum in which member states in all their diversity are asked to freely express their concerns, proposals, and opportunities. It is therefore the highest deliberative representative body where all states can discuss, not fight.

The UNGA 79 President stressed the need to work together in a spirit of unity, regardless of differences and diversity, to promote peace, ensure the absence of wars, and prevent disasters, calling for working towards sustainable development and common prosperity, and providing an environment in which the consumption of its abundant resources can be ensured in moderation and wisdom.

The United Nations was founded in 1945 following the pain and destruction caused by World War II, to put an end to the outbreak of wars and international conflicts and maintain world peace. It replaced the League of Nations, which was founded in 1919, after World War I.

Since its inception, the United Nations has become the only platform that brings together leaders of world countries to discuss common challenges and work to find solutions that serve all humanity. It is also a fundamental platform for cooperation and coordination between countries, provides support and assistance in resolving international conflicts, and issues resolutions that grant "legitimacy" to some international interventions when needed. (QNA)