The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) saw a momentous occasion with Palestine being granted a seat among the member states. While Palestine is not yet a full member of the 193-member UN body, the event has been hailed as a historic development.
The Palestinian Authority’s envoy to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, took his seat at a table marked “State of Palestine,” positioned between Sri Lanka and Sudan in the General Assembly Hall. This marks a significant step in Palestine’s ongoing effort for broader recognition on the international stage.
The decision was confirmed when the Egyptian Ambassador, Osama Mahmoud Abdelkhalek Mahmoud, raised a point of order during the session. He asked the President of the UN General Assembly to confirm that the necessary arrangements had been made to seat Palestine among the other member states.
The UNGA President responded by stating that all arrangements had indeed been made for Palestine to sit in its designated place. The representative of Egypt remarked that this was not just a procedural matter, but a “historic moment” for Palestine and its supporters.
Despite the excitement surrounding this development, Israel strongly condemned the move. The representative of Israel emphasised that the privileges of UN membership should be strictly reserved for sovereign states.
Israel sees this as a politically motivated decision that undermines the exclusivity of full membership in the international organisation. The tension between Palestine’s quest for statehood and Israel’s objection remains a central point of contention in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
This event follows the adoption of a resolution on May 10, 2024, which called for reconsidering Palestine’s status at the United Nations. The resolution outlined provisions to grant Palestine additional rights to participate in General Assembly sessions, UN meetings, and conferences.
This decision, however, was made on an “exceptional basis,” with the understanding that it would not set a precedent for other non-member entities. The resolution gained wide support, with 143 countries voting in favour, including India. India's support aligns with its longstanding stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, where it advocates for a two-state solution.
India has consistently reiterated its call for a peaceful, negotiated settlement between Israel and Palestine. Following the recent terrorist attacks by Hamas, India condemned all forms of terrorism but simultaneously stressed the need for a viable, independent Palestinian state.
The Ministry of External Affairs reaffirmed India's support for a sovereign state of Palestine, coexisting peacefully with Israel. This balanced approach reflects India's diplomatic commitment to peace and stability in the region.
The Palestinian achievement coincided with the election of Philemon Yang, the former Prime Minister of Cameroon, as the President of the 79th UN General Assembly.
Yang, who took over from his predecessor Dennis Francis, used the occasion to underscore the Assembly’s responsibility to resolve pressing global conflicts, including the ongoing crises in Gaza, Ukraine, and Haiti.
Yang called for increased determination and cooperation from the Assembly to address these challenges, emphasising that human rights would remain at the core of the Assembly's efforts.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also addressed the Assembly, acknowledging that the world is in turmoil but expressing optimism about the potential for change.
Guterres highlighted the persistent issues of poverty, inequality, and conflict, alongside the unprecedented challenge of climate change. He recalled that the previous year had been marked as the hottest on record and that the upcoming session would be critical in confronting these global threats.
The Secretary-General pointed out that the 79th session offers a platform to advance global cooperation and find solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems.
He stressed the importance of reviving the Sustainable Development Goals, addressing economic inequality, and finding ways to utilise emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to benefit humanity.
Guterres also called for renewed financial support for developing countries, which need resources to invest in their futures and foster sustainable growth.
Looking ahead, the session will feature the landmark "Summit of the Future," scheduled for September 22-23, 2024.
This summit will bring world leaders together to discuss challenges and opportunities in addressing the issues facing future generations. The annual General Debate, which runs from September 24-30, will follow the summit and will focus on the theme “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for present and future generations.”
This year’s UNGA promises to address a wide range of topics, from eliminating nuclear weapons and addressing rising sea levels to strengthening global health systems against antimicrobial resistance. Through these discussions, the UN aims to foster a more just, peaceful, and sustainable future for all nations.
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