UN gears up for busiest week of year

Secretary-General António Guterres (right) participates in a Facebook Live session moderated by Femi Oke, television presenter and journalist.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas
Secretary-General António Guterres (right) participates in a Facebook Live session moderated by Femi Oke, television presenter and journalist.
Graça Machel (center), member of The Elders and widow of Nelson Mandela, makes remarks during the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit at the General Assembly on 24 September 2018. Also pictured on the dais (left to right): Secretary-General António Guterres, General Assembly President María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, and USG Catherine Pollard (DGACM).

It is what is known unofficially as “high level week” at the United Nations, where 193 Member States and many others gather for a week of speeches, presidential meetings and behind the scenes diplomatic get-togethers. The “General Debate” speeches take place in the General Assembly hall (pictured).

UN Photo/Cia Pak
Secretary-General António Guterres (left) and US President Donald Trump (right) at a High-level Event on Counter Narcotics, convened by the United States, at UN Headquarters in New York, on 24 September 2018.

Member States can call meetings on issues of international importance. US President Donald Trump launched a call for action against the growth of illicit drug use across the world highlighting the “scourge of drug addiction.”

UN Photo/Mark Garten
Out around the United Nations building in New York during the opening day of the General Debate in September 2017.

The Midtown area of New York, where UN Headquarters is located is on lockdown for the high-level week with no public access granted. (file)

UN Photo/Rick Bajornas
María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés (centre), President of the seventy-third session of the General Assembly and Secretary-General António Guterres (right) participate in a ceremony held to unveil the Nelson Mandela Statue gifted to the United Nations by the Republic of South Africa.

Inside the UN compound, a statue of Nelson Mandela, the former political prisoner, President of South Africa and leader of the anti-apartheid movement. was unveiled on Monday morning. The statue is a gift from South Africa.

UN Photo/Cia Pak
Inna Modja (at microphone), singer from Mali, performs with her band during the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Advocates Reception 2018.

The week is not just a series of high-level meetings and lengthy speeches. On Sunday (23 September) two Malian musicians provided the entertainment at a reception for advocates for the Sustainable Development Goals.

UN Photo/Mark Garten
Young musical performers during the annual Peace Bell Ceremony held at United Nations Headquarters in observance of the International Day of Peace (21 September).

International Day of Peace was marked at UN Headquarters on Friday (21 September) with young performers providing the musical backdrop.

UN Photo/Cia Pak
Miniature flags of United Nations member states on display at the VIP Social Media Zone at UN Headquarters.

All 193 Member States of the United Nations have the right to speak in the General Debate in the General Assembly hall. Brazil traditionally goes first on Tuesday morning, and the final leader takes the podium the following Monday.

UN Photo/Rick Bajornas
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