The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) takes place at UN Headquarters in New York from 19 to 26 September 2023. This year, the theme for the debate will be: “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.”
On the occasion of this 78th UNGA High-Level Week, Heads of State and government and other high-level national representatives gather to set out their priorities and discuss global challenges in order to advance peace, security and sustainable development.
As the international community faces unprecedented challenges, this major event will provide an opportunity for France to reaffirm its commitment to strong and effective multilateralism.
The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, will attend the UNGA from 17 to 23 September as Head of Delegation. She will be joined by several ministers: the Minister of Health and Prevention, Aurélien Rousseau, the Minister for the Energy Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, as well as the Minister of State for Marine Affairs, Hervé Berville.
A number of key events will take place on the sidelines or as part of the 78th UN General Assembly, such as (subject to change):
- Generation Equality Midpoint Moment: Sunday, 17 September;
- Opening of the 78th session of the General Assembly: Monday, 18 September;
- General Debate: from Tuesday 19 to Friday 23 September;
- SDG Summit: 18 and 19 September;
- High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development (following on from the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact held in Paris in June): Wednesday, 20 September;
- Climate Ambition Summit: 20 September;
- High-level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response: 20 September;
- France’s declaration at the General Debate: Thursday, 21 September.
The UNGA is also an opportunity for French representatives to hold numerous bilateral meetings with their counterparts.
UNGA Ministerial Week 78 day by day
18 and 19 September
Review of the implementation of 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
20 September
Dialogue on financing for development since the adoption of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.
Strategic declaration aimed at mobilizing at all levels for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
21 September
Work to enhance global cooperation by setting up a multilateral system better positioned to address current challenges.
Policies for strengthening health systems.
22 September
Urgently ending the global tuberculosis epidemic by advancing science, finance and innovation.
In real time on our social media
Follow all the latest from the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly via #UNGA78 on:
- @francediplo via X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram;
- Account of the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations @FranceONU via X, Facebook and Instagram;
- Account of the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs @MinColonna;
- Account of the Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships @CZacharopoulou.
What is the UN General Assembly?
The General Assembly is the United Nations’ main body for deliberations, policy preparation and representation. Made up of the 193 members of the United Nations, it is a multilateral forum for the international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations.
More about the role and workings of the UN General Assembly
For more information:
Official website of the United Nations General Assembly
Originally published at https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy/united-nations/news-and-events/news/news-2023/article/the-78th-united-nations-general-assembly-19-to-26-09-2023
