UN assembly to mull mediation role in conflict settlement
By Sara Rajabova, AzerNews Staff Writer
The role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of conflicts is high on the agenda of the United Nations General Assembly's session that started on Tuesday in New York.
Discussions will cover issues including the protracted conflicts in the member states of GUAM -- Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova -- and their implications for international peace, security and development, as well as the situation in the Armenia-occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
One of the main topics of the UN assembly's 67th session is the situation in the Middle East, especially in Syria.
On September 26, the UN Security Council ministerial will discuss the Syria crisis. The new UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi will inform the Security Council about the talks in Damascus and the plan on a solution of the crisis will be adopted.
Among other key issues on its agenda, the General Assembly will address the Millennium Development Goals, climate change and sustainable development, food safety, disarmament, and United Nations reform, including reform of the Security Council.
In his opening speech, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the General Assembly faces a long and urgent agenda.
Ban Ki-moon noted that the world is facing unease and that, at a time of rising unemployment, rising inequality, and rising intolerance, "the United Nations must rise to the moment."
Following the opening week, on September 24, the General Assembly will convene a high-level meeting at the national and international levels, during which UN member states, non-governmental organizations and civil society will work towards strengthening the rule of law.
The annual general debate, during which the General Assembly hears statements by heads of state and government, as well as ministers, will begin on September 25 and conclude on October 1.
Also during its 67th session, which runs through mid-September 2013, the General Assembly will consider the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), which took place in Brazil this June.