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4 May 2015: UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Sam Kutesa convened a high-level thematic debate focusing on strengthening cooperation between the UN, regional and sub-regional organizations. Delegates discussed how to strengthen strategic partnerships, as well as how regional and sub-regional organizations can be engaged and mobilized to play an effective role in the implementation of a transformative post-2015 development agenda. The event resulted in a negotiated declaration on strengthening cooperation between the UN, regional and sub-regional organizations, which was negotiated ahead of the debate and was expected to be adopted by the Assembly on 5 May 2015.
Opening the debate on 4 May 2015, at UN Headquarters in New York, US, Kutesa said strengthening cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations has been one his key priorities for the 69th UNGA session, and noted that over 25 regional and sub-regional organizations have established formal “cooperative relationships” with the UN. He called for: building on lessons learned to create even more innovative and flexible partnership arrangements that draw on respective strengths; and to find ways of ensuring predictable and sustainable financing for regional and sub-regional organizations.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted a retreat he held during the previous weekend with leaders of a number of regional and sub-regional organizations to look at challenges and strengthen cooperation on peace and security. He remarked that collaboration between the UN and regional partners is richer and more diverse than ever before, as lines of communications have been set up, common strategies have been developed, and joint programmes have been launched. He observed that regional organizations are helping to shape the post-2015 development agenda, and called for their support in “helping the world” reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In a keynote address, Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda, stressed the need to reform the UN in general and the Security Council in particular, noting that out of the current global population of 7 billion people, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council represent only about 1.9 billion people and “monopolize the responsibility for global security.” He also remarked that regional and sub-regional organizations provide useful fora for policy coordination and harmonization on various ongoing important multilateral processes, such as the post-2015 development agenda and climate change, and are central in coordinating implementation of these processes' outcomes at their appropriate levels.
Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of the Bahamas, representing the Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), opened a session on how to further enhance the cooperation and strategic partnership between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations. Referring to the post-2015 negotiations, he called for broader measures of progress to complement gross domestic product (GDP) and for technical capacity and support. He also noted that UNGA resolution 69/265 on cooperation between the UN and CARICOM will be critical for the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda.
Georges Rebelo Chikoti, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Angola and Chair of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGRL), outlined the importance of, inter alia: promoting more systematic reporting; conducting joint assessments; predictable and sustainable financing mechanisms; training and capacity building to enhance regional policies, legislations and institutions; and recognizing that lack of economic opportunities is a recipe for political instability.
Annika Soder, Vice Minister and State Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, said cooperation is more effective when it is based on burden sharing and complementarity. She added that regional mechanisms and frameworks should be recognized in the follow-up framework of the post-2015 development agenda, and noted that reviews should be done at the regional level.
Dieudonné Nzengue, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francophony and regional Integration of Gabon, noted the need for local knowledge and stronger cooperation for the post-2015 development agenda. Lamberto Zannier, Ambassador of Italy and Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), provided examples of OSCE cooperation with the UN, and remarked that sustainable development and security should have the importance they deserve in the post-2015.
Albert Ramdin, Ambassador and Assistant Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), highlighted the need for: building institutional capacities; strengthening communication between OAS regional offices and UN regional offices; and agreeing on a monitoring framework for the post-2015.
Alain Le Roy, Secretary-General, European External Action Service, said cooperation should go beyond preventing immediate crisis, and sustainable peace is not possible without sustainable development and respect of human rights. Highlighting the importance of the ongoing intergovernmental discussions related to financing for development, the post-2015 development agenda and climate change, he expressed hope that emerging countries will also join the force in fighting climate change.
A second panel, moderated by Jeffrey Feltman, Under Secretary-General, UN Department of Political Affairs, addressed strengthening UN, regional, and sub-regional cooperation on peace and security, human rights, and development. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy-Chairperson, African Union Commission, said that many of the tools for preventing conflict in the UN Charter are state-based, and so not always effective. He called for tools and mechanisms that are bottom-up, closer to the people that need them, and allow for a more flexible approach.
Molefi Kete Asante, Temple University, discussed how the 1648 Treaty of Westphalia in Europe had introduced the concept of the nation-state, which still governs much of international affairs. He stressed the need for non-European forms of organization to be given more importance in the UN, including sub-regional groups, informal networks of NGOs, and regional organizations. “We must focus on repairing and restoring the acceptability of the local societies,” he concluded.
Peter Van Tuijl, Executive Director, Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), discussed existing mechanisms for creating space for regular consultations with regional and civil society organizations, while Danile Yifru, Director, Peace and Security and Senior Advisor, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, discussed their need to be supported by the international community. Lyazzat Kaltayeva, Association of Women with Disabilities, discussed her work in helping women with disabilities through existing legal structures at the regional and sub-regional level.
The final panel was moderated by Vuk Jeremić, President, Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development, and addressed how to galvanize support of regionals and sub-regionals for the post-2015 development agenda. Alicia Barcena Ibarra, Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Latin America and Caribbean (ECLAC), and Carlos Lopes, Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), discussed the importance of national and regional ownership of the agenda, and for it to reflect the priorities of all regions.
David Steven, Senior Fellow and Associate Director, Center on International Cooperation, commented on the “practicalities” of implementation, stressing that making progress on the goals and targets will require truly innovative policies and resources. He emphasized that much progress will need to be made in the first few years to achieve the goals, and underlined the regional dimension of post-2015 action in building political support for the agenda's implementation.
Ali Shahbaz, Sustainable Development Policy Institute, called for the redefinition of the term “organization” to include all individuals and grassroots movements. The SDGs are more than a set of targets, he explained, but “more of a mass consciousness, a movement, and a paradigm shift that is going to be carried on with the momentum of all the people engaged.” Shahbaz also stressed the need for credible, rather than tokenistic, participation of stakeholders.
Throughout the debate, many participants referred to Chapter VIII of the UN Charter on regional arrangements. During a session dedicated to statements and interventions by Member States and stakeholders, states noted the importance of: eliminating extreme poverty; protecting the environment; arms trafficking; combatting trans-national crimes; the role of the UN; the role of the UN Regional Commissions in financing for development; the inclusion of excluded groups; strategies for resource mobilization; partnerships with the private sector; civil society participation; structural transformation; funding for technology transfer; and a global partnership for implementation of the SDGs and targets.
Kutesa gave closing remarks, saying that collective efforts and action are needed to address the world's challenges, and that regional and sub-regional organizations can promote complementarity, burden-sharing, and comparative advantage. He referred to panelists and UN Member States who had called for better communication and coordination between the UN and regional partners.
Finally, Kutesa presented the Political Declaration on Strengthening Cooperation between the UN and Regional and Sub-regional Organizations, which he described as an important step in advancing strategic partnerships in this area. [Programme Webpage] [Event Webpage] [Draft Political Declaration and General Assembly President Letter] [UNGA President Opening Remarks] [UNGA President Closing Remarks] [Remarks of UN Secretary-General] [UN Press Release] [IISD RS Sources] [Adoption of Political Declaration on 5 May]
related meetings:
UNGA High-level Thematic Debate on Strengthening Cooperation between the UN and Regional and Sub-regional Organizations
Press Conference by @UNDESA on the UN Forum on Forests 11th Session: Messrs Filho, Vira & Buck #UNFF11 pic.twitter.com/UnePcxPvV4
President Kutesa visit to Uganda
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General Assembly Meetings Coverage 5 May 2015 The lessons of World War II — on whose ashes the United Nations was founded — must continue to guide the Organization’s work, even as it adapted to meet the evolving challenges of the modern world, delegates commemorating the seventieth anniversary of the end of the war told the General Assembly today. 4 May 2015 In a rapidly changing world, bolstered cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations was needed to respond effectively to emerging threats to international peace and security, the General Assembly was told today as it held a high-level thematic debate on the issue. 4 May 2015 The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today opened the second part of its resumed sixty-ninth session dedicated to the United Nations’ peacekeeping operations, whose budget for 2015/16 would reach $8.5 billion. 1 May 2015 The top Palestinian diplomat at the United Nations this afternoon called on the Organization to include Israel’s army among the parties that committed grave violations against children during armed conflict, and to hold it accountable for attacks last year on United Nations-run schools sheltering civilians in Gaza. 29 April 2015 Transparency, inclusivity, multilingualism and a balance between new media and traditional forms of communications were paramount in the work of the Department of Public Information, Cristina Gallach, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information of the United Nations, told delegates as the Committee on Information concluded its general debate. 28 April 2015 As large segments of the world’s population relied on traditional media for information on the United Nations and world affairs, delegates warned about the dangers of the digital divide, while hailing the broad reach of new media in disseminating the Organization’s message, as the Committee on Information continued its general debate. 27 April 2015 During a “once-in-a-generation” year which would see the adoption of the new post-2015 development agenda, the United Nations Department of Public Information had a critical role to play in supporting the ever-expanding activities of the Organization, the Committee on Information was told as it opened its thirty‑seventh session today. 24 April 2015 Although the global disarmament and non-proliferation regime had faced a “plethora of obstacles” over a number of years, there was no reason to lose faith, the Chair of the Disarmament Commission told members today, stressing that progress was possible if each State demonstrated the requisite political will. 16 April 2015 Acclaiming peacebuilding as central to the international community’s collective efforts to build sustained international stability, speakers at the General Assembly today urged the ongoing review of the topic to explore ways of maximizing the potential of the Peacebuilding Commission. 8 April 2015 Nuclear disarmament was at a crossroads, with the Korean peninsula a “touch-and-go powder keg” and the oldest and newest nuclear-weapon States in sharp confrontation with each other, the representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea told the Disarmament Commission today, as Member States concluded the general debate of their annual substantive session. Search Search for documents and statements
General Assembly Daily Noon Briefing 5 May 2015The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria said the first of a series of low-key Geneva-based meetings involving more than 40 Syrian groups, the Government and 20 regional and international actors begins today for an initial five to six weeks. Despite challenges, said the Envoy, we do not have the luxury not to try. Highlights Resources
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Meetings 69th session (2014) Webcast Agenda
The Agenda provides background information on the organization of the session. It lists all the items that will be considered by the General Assembly during the session.
Meetings Summaries
All meeting summaries are available on the Meetings Coverage and Press Releases website.
Election of the President of the 69th session, H.E. Mr. Sam Kutesa (Uganda)11 June 2014
High-Level Event on Climate Change New York, 29 June 2015
Background
2015 will be a critical year for the climate change negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The international community is expected to deliver a new, ambitious and universally binding agreement in Paris.
The President of the General Assembly will convene a High-Level Event on climate change on 29 June 2015, which intends to provide impetus and political momentum for an ambitious climate agreement, by keeping the issue high on the agenda at the mid-point between COP20 in Lima and COP21 in Paris. It aims also to provide space for showcasing climate action and concrete initiatives, through multi-stakeholder approaches to address climate change.
2015 will also be a decisive year in shaping the post 2015 development agenda and agreeing on a framework for financing for development. The road from Addis Ababa to New York and finally Paris will be central to the global efforts to improve lives, achieve sustainable development and preserve the planet for the present and future generations.
Submit your inputs for the High-level event before 10 May.
Format
The High-level event will consist of: - A high-level opening session,
- Two high-level interactive Panel discussions, and
- A closing session.
Participation
Member States will be invited to participate at the highest level. Representatives of the UN Agencies, the UNFCCC Secretariat as well as the private sector, civil society, academia and other relevant stakeholders will also be encouraged to attend at the highest level possible.
Outcome
The outcome will be a President’s summary, which will be circulated to all Member States and other stakeholders.
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Post-2015
Delivering on and Implementing a Transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda
Theme and priorities of the 69th Session
On June 11, 2014 the President of the 69th Session of the General Assembly, in his Acceptance Speech, chose the theme: “Delivering on and implementing a Transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda,” for the 69th session.
The President of the General Assembly also outlined seven priority areas for the session namely: - the post-2015 development agenda;
- combatting climate change;
- advancing gender equality and empowerment of women;
- strengthening cooperation between the UN and regional organizations;
- peaceful settlement of disputes and peacebuilding;
- revitalization of the General Assembly and reform of the Security Council;
- enhancing the role of the UN Alliance of Civilizations.
High-level Event and Thematic Debates
By its resolution 67/297, the General Assembly recognized “the value of holding interactive, inclusive thematic debates on current issues of critical importance to the international community” and “invited the President of the General assembly to continue this practice.
The President will convene high-level thematic debates and events that will focus on the theme and the priorities for the 69th session. The main objective of the high-level thematic debates and event is to enable Member States and stakeholders to have in -depth exchange of views, in an interactive and participatory manner.
These meetings will contribute towards the formulation of the post-2015 development agenda and the mobilization of means for its implementation, while fully recognizing the mandated intergovernmental processes.
Calendar:
Format
The High-level thematic debates and Event will consist of an opening segment, two interactive, multi-stakeholder panel discussions, and a closing segment. The outcome for each of the debates and event will be a President’s summary. Member States will be invited to participate at the highest possible level, as well as Observers, UN Agencies, and other stakeholders.
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Statement by the President of the Economic and Social Council, H.E. Mr. Martin Sajdik (Austria) on the 6th meeting of United Nations Forum on Forests, Eleventh session.
Theme “The future international arrangement on forests we want”.
The Chair of the United Nations Forum on Forests today described the contours of the draft ministerial declaration and draft resolution that the policy body planned to send to the Economic and Social Council for adoption, following the close of its eleventh session on 15 May.
“The declaration and the resolution are complementary outcomes, which, together, set the stage for a strong and effective International Arrangement on Forests beyond 2015”, said Chair Noel Nelson Messone (Gabon). “They should be mutually reinforcing, but distinct outcomes,” he said, telling Member States it was now up to them to engage in negotiations on the drafts and arrive at a successful outcome. The bureau, he added, had worked to address all States’ concerns and had made efforts to build on areas of convergence.
Describing the elements of the draft ministerial declaration, he said its first section outlined a shared vision on the benefits of forests and their contribution to sustainable development. It recognized the Forum’s role in addressing those issues and integrating forests into the post-2015 agenda. The second section outlined ministerial commitments to, among other things, develop a strategic plan for the International Arrangement on Forests from 2017 to 2030, enhance major groups’ participation in that framework and strengthen countries’ monitoring, assessment and reporting.
The third section, he said, was a “call to action” for the parties to the Rio Conventions — especially the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – which should consider the Forest Instrument as the integrated reference framework for related climate-change mitigation and adaptation. Likewise, participants in the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity were called on to strengthen the Forum’s involvement in forest-related work.
Describing the 13-part draft resolution, the Chair explained that section I would extend the International Arrangement on Forests to 2030 and outline the Arrangement’s objectives and define its components. “This is the first time that the components of the [International Arrangement on Forests] are being defined.” Section II would define the future modalities of the Forum — it would remain a Council subsidiary body and still meet biennially, but for one week in the “even years”. It also contained proposals for strengthening the Forum, notably by establishing a committee on implementation and technical advice, which, among other things, would provide guidance on funding.
He said section III dealt with the non-legally binding instrument on forests beyond 2015, by which the Council would extend the Global Objectives on Forests to 2030, rename the Instrument and replace references to the Millennium Development Goals with sustainable development goals. Section IV — catalysing implementation and financing — would have the Council establish either a Global Forest Fund under the Forum’s auspices, or a voluntary strategic trust fund, to support the “upgraded facilitated process” and implementation of a strategic plan.
By section V — monitoring assessment and reporting — the Council would designate the Forum as the primary body to contribute to the follow-up of forest-related sustainable development goals. The Forum secretariat would be requested to submit a quadrennial global publication on implementation of the non-legally binding instrument. The Forum would establish a “global forest indicators partnership”.
Section VI suggested ways to strengthen its secretariat, he said, including through additional responsibilities, while section VII contained proposals for enhancing the Collaborative Partnership on Forests. Section VIII offered ways to strengthen the Forum’s collaboration with regional and subregional organizations. By Section IX, he said, the Council would strengthen major groups’ participation in the Forum, and by section X, decide that the Forum should develop a strategic plan for the 2017 to 2030 period and ensure it was carried out through quadrennial work programmes. The content of that plan would be adopted at a special session in 2016.
Rounding out the resolution, he said, section XI proposed a mid-term review of the International Arrangement on Forests in 2024 and a final review in 2030. Section XII would have the Council establish a body that, for one year, would propose ways to follow up on issues referred to it by the Forum’s eleventh session. It would meet up to three times in 2016. Section XIII addressed the provision of adequate resources for the resolution’s implementation beyond 2015.
Following his remarks, the representatives of Peru and Iran spoke.
The United Nations Forum on Forests will reconvene at 5:15 p.m. on Friday, 8 May, to continue its eleventh session.
New York, 4 May 2015
I thank General Assembly President Sam Kutesa for convening this important thematic debate. And I also welcome the participation of H.E. President of the Republic of [Uganda], President [Yoweri] Museveni, for his leadership and taking time to participate in this meeting.
I am very encouraged to welcome so many presidents, so many ministers and senior national officials and heads of regional and subregional organizations here today.
There is a great deal of collective expertise in this room. You have worked on the frontlines of regional cooperation – on economic integration, joint peace activities and more.
Such high-level participation sends a strong message about how much we value cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations.
I have spoken directly to virtually all of the organizations represented here.
Over the last few days - during the weekend - I hosted a retreat with the leaders of a number of regional and sub-regional organizations to strengthen our cooperation on peace and security.
We took a hard look at the challenges we face – and we renewed our resolve to forge solutions.
We will continue to engage in this strategic dialogue at the highest level – and to take action on the ground that makes a meaningful difference in people’s [lives].
This High Level meeting is another reflection of that commitment, and I am very glad that our retreat over the weekend is now continuing, with the participation of at least twenty heads of regional organizations, and I thank you for your participation again.
Conflict, poverty, violence, exclusion and disasters are grave and growing problems. Too many communities are battered by all of these problems at once.
The international community is supposed to care for our most vulnerable members – but too often we fail.
Look at the tragedy in Syria. The deaths of more than 220,000 people – and the trauma of millions of others – show how far we are from realizing the vision of our Charter.
But in this 70th anniversary of the United Nations, we can still declare that the world is much safer thanks to this Organization.
2015 is a milestone year. We will complete the Millennium Development Goals. We are forging a bold vision for sustainable development, including a set of sustainable development goals. And we are aiming for a new, universal climate agreement.
The United Nations will squarely examine our operations – and how we can improve them. I look forward to the recommendations of the Review of Peace Operations and the Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture. These should aim to help us better confront threats.
Regional partners have [already] improved our effectiveness.
But now we have to do more to answer the cries of millions of people who deserve full dignity and true equality.
No country is immune to global threats – and no one country, no matter how powerful, can respond alone.
The Ebola crisis, the tragedy of migrants dying at sea, the international drug trade, organized crime and the rise of violent extremism all show the urgent need for a collective response.
Millions of lives are at stake.
That is why I am doing everything possible to enable the United Nations, regional and subregional organizations to boost our cooperation, build on our strengths and pool our limited resources.
Very often, in times of crisis, I turn to you, the heads of regional organizations.
I may ask for resources, diplomacy or collective action, depending on the situation. And I always ask for your solidarity in advancing our common values.
With your engagement, we have achieved real results.
The collaboration between the United Nations and our regional partners is richer and more diverse than ever before.
We have set up lines of communications. We have developed common strategies. We have launched joint programmes. Our relationships have gained new dimensions. And this has enhanced our ability to serve the world’s people.
In conflict prevention and mediation, we have shown how working together increases our powers of persuasion to press parties to make peace.
Our stronger partnerships in peacekeeping have bolstered UN support especially to African-led operations on the ground.
Regional organizations are helping to shape the post-2015 development agenda – and I count on them to help the world reach the sustainable development goals.
Our long-standing partnerships have also reinforced collective efforts to defend human rights and uphold the values of the United Nations Charter.
Citizens of the world are more connected, forward-looking and informed than ever before.
We owe it to them to rise to the challenges of our times with open communications, outward focus and our collective commitment to human rights, global progress and lasting peace.
Thank you very much.
Statements on 4 May 2015
New York, 4 May 2015 - Secretary-General's message to the launch of the Global Zero Action Corps [delivered by Ms. Virginia Gamba, Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs]
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UNGA special meeting kicks off to commemorate victims of WWII---UNGA special meeting kicks off to commemorate victims of WWII
NewsroomPress Statements/ReadoutsApril - President Kutesa meets with the President of the Economic and Social Council Holds meeting with the Coordinators of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency (ACT) Group Meets with the Commissioner of New York Mayor’s Office for International Affairs (29 April)
- President Kutesa holds bilateral meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia the Foreign Minister of Algeria the Vice Minister for Multilateral and Economic Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs of India and the new Permanent Representatives of the Philippines and Sri Lanka to the UN (28 April)
- President Kutesa holds bilateral meetings with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, and the Deputy Foreign Minister for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights of Mexico Meets with the President of the Non-Proliferation Conference Receives the new Permanent Representatives of Antigua and Barbuda, Iran, and Malaysia (27 April)
- Earthquake in Nepal (25 April)
- President Kutesa holds bilateral meetings with the Egyptian Foreign Minister the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia and the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities of Uganda (24 April)
- “Mobilizing Resources for the Post-2015 Development Agenda”, Op-Ed by Sam K. Kutesa (22 April)
- President Kutesa opens High-Level Thematic Debate on Promoting Tolerance and Reconciliation meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq and the Minister of National Reconciliation of Mali (22 April)
- At the Spring Meetings in Washington, President Kutesa holds further bilateral meetings with several Ministers of Finance and Development Cooperation meets with the President of the World Bank and attends the Meeting of the Development Committee (18 April)
- At the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington DC, President Kutesa holds bilateral meetings with several Ministers of Finance and Development Cooperation highlights the importance of ensuring a successful outcome from the Financing for Development Conference in Addis Ababa (17 April)
- On the fringe of the UN Crime Congress in Doha President Sam Kutesa addresses a High-Level Event on the rule of law, human rights and the post-2015 development agenda and a Special Event on Wildlife and Forest Crime GA President holds a bilateral meeting with the Head of the US delegation to the Crime Congress (13 April)
- President Sam Kutesa addresses the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Doha GA President meets with His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar (12 April)
- President Sam Kutesa strongly condemns the terrorist attack and expresses the solidarity of the United Nations General Assembly with the Government and people of Kenya after the heinous attack in Garissa (2 April)
March February January 2015 December November - President Kutesa holds bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of Sweden the President of the Parliament of Montenegro a Member of the United States House of Representatives and the UN Secretary-General”s Envoy on Youth, 21 November
- UN Radio: Ambassador Kafeero participated in an event on the occasion of Africa Industrialization Day which focused on agriculture, 20 November
- On the eve of the Annual Parliamentary Hearing in New York, President Kutesa holds bilateral meetings with the Foreign Minister of Argentina and with the Secretary-General of UNCTAD, 18 November – Webcast
- President Kutesa holds bilateral meetings with the President of the Human Rights Council Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda and Hon. Saber Chowdhury, the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 17 November
- President Kutesa convenes a briefing on the Ebola response holds several bilateral meetings during a busy week at the General Assembly, 14 November
- Transcript of the Media Stakeout on Ebola, 13 November – Webcast
- GA Appointments on Intergovernmental Negotiations, Security Council Reform Consultations, Ebola Outbreak Management, Joint Debate on Cooperation between UN, regional and other organisations, Elections, 11 November
- Opening of the Second Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCS), 3 November
- Message of the President on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, 2 November
October - The President meets with Senators of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces Senate Committee of France, 29 October
- Death of the President of Zambia, 29 October
- President meets with Representatives of Member States Receives a parliamentary delegation from Uganda, 27 October
- United Nations Day Message, 24 October
- Briefing by the Spokesperson on the General Assembly Election of Five Non Permanent Members of the Security Council, 16 October
- President Kutesa meets with Turkey”s Minister of Foreign Affairs, 14 October
- President Kutesa meets with Permanent Representatives of Member States from the European Union to the UN in New York, 13 October
- Remarks of the President at the media stakeout following the briefing of the General Assembly on the Ebola outbreak, 10 October – Webcast
- Briefing by the Spokesperson – Preliminary funding requirements for UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response Celebration of International Day of Older Persons, 9 October
- President Kutesa convenes a briefing for Member States on the Ebola Outbreak Meets with the President of the Economic and Social Council, 7 October
- President Kutesa meets with the President of the Security Council and the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation, 3 October
- Press Conference on the achievements of the 69th session, including the post-2015 Development Agenda, 1 October
September - Statement attributable to the Spokesperson – As General Debate concludes, the President of the GA holds bilateral meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone and the Permanent Representative of Switzerland, 30 September
- The President of the GA holds more bilateral meetings as the General Debate is about to conclude, 30 September
- The President of the GA holds further bilateral on the margins of the High-level week, 27 September
- The President of the GA calls for decisive action to implement a transformative Post-2015 Agenda and combat climate change, 26 September
- President Kutesa meets with US President Obama and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of Qatar on the first day of the GA Debate, 24 September
- Statement attributable to the Spokesperson – As World Conference on Indigenous Peoples concludes, President of the GA discusses the priorities of the 69th session in further bilateral meetings, 23 September
- Post-2015 Agenda in Focus of GA President”s bilateral meetings at the start of the High-level week at the UN, 22 September
- Introductory remarks by the President following the Plenary Meeting on Ebola, 19 September
- President Kutesa convenes a plenary meeting scheduled for 19 September on the Ebola crisis, 18 September
- Press Conference by the President on his priorities for the 69th session of the General Assembly, 16 September – Webcast
Statements
May April March February 2015 January 2015 December November October September June
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About the President
H.E. Mr. Sam Kahamba Kutesa
H.E. Mr. Sam Kutesa
Sam Kahamba Kutesa was elected President of the United Nations General Assembly’s sixty-ninth session on 11 June 2014. At the time of his election, he was serving as Uganda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, a post he held since 2005.
A lawyer, parliamentarian and businessman, Mr. Kutesa brings to the position wide-ranging experience in international affairs. During his tenure as Foreign Minister, Uganda has hosted high-level meetings of key intergovernmental bodies such as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in 2007, the Council of Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 2008, and the African Union (AU) Heads of State Summit in 2010. Uganda also served its two-year term on the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member, in 2009 and 2010.
At the regional and subregional levels, Mr. Kutesa has hosted top-level gatherings of organizations such as the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). From 2011 to 2014, he chaired the ICGLR’s Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee which deals with challenges such as consolidating peace and stability in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), promoting transparency in the exploitation and sale of natural resources, and countering sexual and gender-based violence.
As Foreign Minister, Mr. Kutesa has played a key role in the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in regional peace processes in the Sudan and South Sudan, and in stabilization efforts in Somalia. Further, during his tenure, the East African Community, to which Uganda belongs, has achieved significant milestones in strengthening regional cooperation and economic integration, establishing a Customs Union in 2005 and a Common Market in 2010, and signing, in 2013, a protocol laying the groundwork for a monetary union in the region by 2023, to increase commerce and boost regional trade.
An elected Member of Parliament for more than three decades, Mr. Kutesa was a member of Uganda’s Constituent Assembly and Chairman of that body’s Political Systems Committee, during which time he contributed to drafting a new Constitution for the country, adopted in 1995. From 2001 through 2005, he served as Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, in charge of investment, and from 1996 to 2000, as Minister of State for Planning and Economic Development. He was his country’s Attorney General from 1985 to 1986.
In the private sector, Mr. Kutesa worked as Legal Secretary for the worldwide conglomerate Lonrho East Africa, and served in a consultative capacity on the Uganda Advisory Board of Trade, and on the National Textiles Board. He also practiced law in his country, specializing in corporate law and litigation.
Born in Uganda on 1 February 1949, Mr. Kutesa holds an Honours Degree in Law from Makerere University and is an advocate of the High Court of Uganda, having completed post-graduate studies in legal practice at the Uganda Law Development Centre. He is married with six children.
High-Level Thematic Debate on Advancing Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girls for a Transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda New York – March 6, 2015
Introduction
2015 marks twenty years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Through efforts at the national, regional and global level, there has been steady progress in advancing gender equality. However, as Member States and other stakeholders engage in formulating the Post-2015 Development Agenda, gender inequalities still remain deeply entrenched in many societies. This thematic debate will focus primarily on two aspects of promoting gender equality and empowerment of women that are important for their contribution to sustainable development – women’s economic and political empowerment and their access to quality education.
Format
Opening Session: The opening session will commemorate the 2015 United Nations Observance of International Women’s Day, under the slogan: “Empower women, Empower humanity. Picture it.”
Morning Panel Discussion: Women’s economic and political empowerment, including access to decent work, and control over economic and productive resources and active participation in governance and decision-making.
Afternoon Panel Discussion: Access to quality education and skills development as tools for empowerment of women and girls.
Participation Member States will be invited to participate at the highest level. Representatives of UN agencies and entities, international financial institutions, regional development banks, the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders will also be invited to attend at the highest level possible.
Outcome The outcome will be a President’s summary, which will be circulated to all Member States and stakeholders. Participants are invited to make specific expressions of commitment in support of gender equality and women’s empowerment. These could take the form of announcements of legislation, policies, programmes or various other initiatives to be captured in the meeting summary.
Statements
- Opening statement by the PGA
- Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the UN
- Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia
- Ms. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, President of Croatia
- Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey
- Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngucka, Executive Director of UN Women
- Ms. Sivananthi Thanenthiran, Executive Director, Asian – Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW, Malaysia)
- Ms. Michaëlle Jean, Secretary-General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (in French)
- Dr. Patrick HO, Deputy Chairman and Secretary General of China Energy Fund Committee
- Ms. Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the UN
- Nohelia (in Spanish)
- Closing statement by the PGA
Documents
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