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September 23,2021

Andrew Campbell 

The President of the 76th session of the high-level United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Abdulla Shahid, stated that the world is currently facing challenges such as fragility, conflict, COVID-19, and climate change. Mr. Shahid stated at the start of the 76th General Debate on September 21 that the challenges of climate change and the pandemic keep people awake at night and fuel collective anxiety and worry that things are getting worse. Mr. Shahid also warns world leaders that we are at a crossroads and must choose between isolationism and mutual destruction or forge a sustainable and resilient path together.

On June 7, the United Nations General Assembly elected Mr. Shahid as President of its seventy-sixth session, which runs from September 2021 until September 2022.

Mr. Shahid announced his intention to pursue five "rays of hope" that would direct the General Assembly's efforts in the coming year as he opened the 76th General Debate. To begin, he is adamant about the need to ensure vaccine equity in order to vaccinate the entire world. Second, he will advocate for a longer-term recovery from COVID-19 that is better, stronger, greener, and bluer. Third, we must refocus our attention on the climate crisis, which has been overshadowed by COVID-19. The fourth ray of hope focuses on human rights, which is one of the UN organization's fundamental pillars. Finally, UN reform and revitalization must be maintained.

The UNGA's 76th session began its high-level week, with member states asked to deliberate on two parallel challenges: ending the pandemic and redefining the post-pandemic global economy to be healthier for the planet. The UN sees the current situation as a potential pivotal point. Before delivering his closing remarks, Mr. Shahid urged everyone to come together and agree to work together to address the challenges that the world's 7+ billion constituents face.