STORY: UNGA starts general debate to seek global cooperation against challenges
SHOOTING TIME: Sept. 24, 2024
DATELINE: Sept. 25, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:27
LOCATION: UN Headquarters
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of UNGA Hall
2. various of delegates
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): PHILEMON YANG, President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General

STORYLINE:

The General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) began on Tuesday amid growing calls for more international cooperation to address challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, while tackling the fallout from ongoing conflicts and global health crises.

The session saw world leaders heading to New York to deliver their statements as they took part in high-level discussions on the existential threat of sea-level rise, accelerating progress in combating the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, and driving forward the UN's long-term goal of achieving global nuclear disarmament with a plenary meeting marking the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

President of the 79th session of the UNGA, Philemon Yang, told the opening ceremony that "the General Debate remains one of the world's most inclusive, representative and authoritative platforms for global reflection and collective action. This year, the urgency of our task cannot be overstated."

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): PHILEMON YANG, President of 79th session of the UN General Assembly
"The General Debate remains one of the world's most inclusive, representative and authoritative platforms for global reflection and collective action. This year, the urgency of our task cannot be overstated. We are falling behind in our pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals. I am informed that with just five years to go, less than 18 percent of the goals have been achieved! Also, the climate crisis is no longer a distant threat. It is here, now, ravaging ecosystems and dismantling the livelihoods of entire communities. Conflicts rage, from the Middle East to Ukraine, from Haiti to South Sudan, leaving in their wake death, destruction, and immense suffering. I call for an immediate ceasefire in all these conflict settings."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the General Debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly, saying that the current state of the world is unsustainable, but working together can find solutions.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
"First, the state of our world is unsustainable. We can't go on like this. And second, the challenges we face are solvable. But that requires us to make sure the mechanisms of international problem-solving actually solve problems. It is time for a just peace based on the UN Charter, international law and UN resolutions."

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