#general debate

”President Donald Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Sept. 19. Members of the Lehigh community watched the broadcast of the speech in the Global Commons in Williams Hall. Bill Hunter, the director of fellowship advising and U.N. programs, said broadcasting the event highlighted the importance of college students getting the chance to become a part of the bigger world around them. 

“Specifically through the U.N. partnership,” Hunter said, “Our goal is to take the opportunity to get Lehigh students as close to global decision makers as possible. Any chance we get to get more insight into the U.S. priorities at the U.N., that’s something very valuable to share with the Lehigh students.”

While some members of the Lehigh community watched Trump on television, Matthew Cossel, ’17, watched the speech in person. “Before President Trump came out, I felt butterflies in my stomach because I’d never seen Trump in person before,” he said. “He’s someone you see on television who gives so many speeches, but watching him in person (was) very powerful. The speech definitely has more weight to it when you hear it in person. It definitely makes you pay attention more.” 

Cossel graduated from Lehigh in May and landed an internship as a briefings intern in the United Nations Department of Public Information’s NGO Relations and Advocacy Office. 

Cossel works with nonprofit organizations that partner with U.N. for various events. He said his main responsibility is working on the team that sets up NGO briefings.”

Continuation and end of the General debate of the 2025 Session of the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization.

Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization - 2025 Session, 313th plenary meeting

The session will feature a general debate, a coordination meeting with other United Nations mechanisms on the right to development, a discussion on two studies, and six interactive thematic dialogues to draw upon experiences, good practices, and strategies around pressing global needs.

Watch the 3rd Meeting, 10th Session of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development!

The session will feature a general debate, a coordination meeting with other United Nations mechanisms on the right to development, a discussion on two studies, and six interactive thematic dialogues to draw upon experiences, good practices, and strategies around pressing global needs.

Watch the 1st Meeting, 10th Session of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development!

A rousing call for international solidarity greeted leaders gathering for the annual United Nations General Assembly debate, with Secretary-General António Guterres urging them to seize the potential of multilateralism.

"The Black Sea Grain Initiative has opened the pathway for the safe navigation of dozens of ships filled with much needed food supplies," he said, referring to the agreement allowing goods from Ukraine to reach markets in need around the world. "But each ship is also carrying one of today's rarest commodities: Hope."

At a meeting of women leaders, participants urged measures to achieve gender equality, pointing out that equal societies are more peaceful and more prosperous.

The United Nations General Assembly runs through 26 September.

Daily wrap of the opening of the 77th United Nations General Assembly General Debate.

The stage is set for the general debate of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly. As the world has begun to emerge from the worst of the pandemic, the debate will be held largely in-person, with world leaders heading to NY to deliver their statements in the iconic Assembly Hall.