UN Assembly's general debate continues, delegations to focus on sustainable development

As the General Assembly's annual General Debate picks up again today, political leaders and senior Government officials gathered at United Nations Headquarters in New York will continue discussions on shaping the world's next development agenda, which will aim to protect the planet and promote equity, justice and prosperity for all people.

The Debate opened yesterday, 24 September, hearing more than 30 world leaders and high-level officials weigh in on what John Ashe, President of the Assembly's 68th session, has called “pivotal” talks on setting the parameters of the post-2015 sustainability agenda, which will succeed the Millennium Development Goals - the eight anti-poverty targets that galvanized the world in 2000.

Thus far, some 84 heads of State, 41 heads of Government, 11 Deputy Prime Ministers and 65 Foreign Ministers are set to address the Assembly over the course of the Debate on sustainable development, poverty eradication, climate change, human rights, and a range of peace and security issues. The Debate is scheduled to wrap up on 1 October.