STORY: UN General Assembly begins general debate
DATELINE: Sept. 20, 2023
LENGTH: 00:06:20
LOCATION: UN Headquarters
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of UNGA Hall
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): DENNIS FRANCIS, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly
3. various of delegates
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): DENNIS FRANCIS, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly
5. various of delegates
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): DENNIS FRANCIS, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly
7. various of delegates
8. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): DENNIS FRANCIS, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly
9. various of delegates
10. SOUNDBITE 5 (English): DENNIS FRANCIS, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly

STORYLINE:

The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time.

Dennis Francis, president of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, presided over the opening of the debate, which is themed "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."

In his opening speech, Francis stressed the importance of uniting nations to tackle global challenges.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): DENNIS FRANCIS, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly"This year, our imperative is clear: to unite the nations, to be united in conviction of common purpose and in solidarity of joint action."

He said the world has the capacity to effect change if there is the will to act.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): DENNIS FRANCIS, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly
"Despite the many and complex challenges we face, we do have the capacity to effect change, consequential change ... What we lack is the will to act. By putting aside our differences and bridging divides, we can deliver, we must deliver peace, progress, prosperity, and sustainability to everyone, everywhere. So let us step up and take action now."

A common coordinated approach is needed now, as much as at any point in history. War, climate change, debt, energy and food crises, poverty and famine. These crises are directly impacting the lives and well-being of billions of people around the world. They are rolling back decades of hard-won development gains, and thus condemning millions to lifelong inter-generational poverty and hardship, he said.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): DENNIS FRANCIS, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly
"It is at times like these that we must search deep within to find our better selves and our common humanity that impels us to meet the moment. I therefore implore you, let us use this forum for that which it was intended."

Francis called for efforts to bring peace in Ukraine and other parts of the globe, from Africa to the Middle East.

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): DENNIS FRANCIS, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly
"I urge you, member states, to use this high-level week not to fan the flames of conflict and hostility, but instead, to opt for dialogue and diplomacy. We must remember that peace is an investment in our collective prosperity."

While some progress had been made on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the SDG Summit is being convened on the sidelines of the General Debate in a context where there have been unacceptable delays and rollbacks, he noted.

SOUNDBITE 5 (English): DENNIS FRANCIS, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly
"Let me be clear: we do not have the luxury of excuses, nor are we absolved of our responsibilities. The onus is on us - collectively - to make up for the lost momentum and work much harder in the remaining seven years to accelerate progress on that which we have promised to deliver."

Francis also called for climate action, the advancement of human rights and gender equality.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from UN Headquarters.
(XHTV)