UN General Assembly 74th Session to open September 17

The 74th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 74) will open on Tuesday 17 September 2019. The first day of the high-level General Debate will be Tuesday, 24 September 2019.

The President-Elect of the 74th session is H.E. Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, of Nigeria, was elected on 4 June 2019. Professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande has had an outstanding career as a scholar and diplomat. As Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, he worked with colleagues from all regions of the world to achieve common objectives. He served as the Vice-President of the General Assembly during the 71st session.

This year, in addition to the general debate, world leaders will participate in five summits or high-level meetings to boost action on climate change and accelerate progress on sustainable development, aimed at securing healthy, peaceful and prosperous lives for all.

23 September, Climate Action Summit 2019 | The impacts of climate change are accelerating, but with urgent and transformative action, it is still possible to limit global average temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, averting the most disastrous consequences. The UN Secretary-General is convening a summit, under the slogan “A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win,” to mobilize political and economic energy at the highest levels to advance climate action. This Summit presents leaders from government, the private sector and civil society with the opportunity to demonstrate the solutions they are pursuing to reduce emissions and build climate resilience and adaptation. It will be preceded by the Youth Climate Summit on 21 September, for young leaders who are driving climate action to showcase their solutions and to meaningfully engage with decision-makers on the defining issue of our time.

23 September, High-level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage | The first-ever High-level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage convened by the President of the General Assembly will launch new efforts to provide access for all to affordable, inclusive and resilient health systems. 

24 - 25 September, Sustainable Development Goals Summit | The SDG Summit – the first High-level Political Forum under the auspices of the General Assembly -- will allow world leaders and other stakeholders to demonstrate how they intend to accelerate action to transform our societies and economies.

26 September, High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development | The High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development will bring together leaders from Government, business and the financial sector to help unlock the resources and partnerships needed and accelerate progress.

27 September, High-level Review of Progress on SAMOA Pathway | Five years after an ambitious agreement – the SAMOA Pathway -- to support sustainable development in small island developing states, the High-Level Review will discuss progress on combating the devastating impact of climate change, building economic and environmental resilience, and other challenges.