This week at the @UN General Assembly, everybody is talking about the Sustainable Development Goals. But what are the #SDGs or #GlobalGoals? Check this out!

This week at the @UN General Assembly, everybody is talking about the Sustainable Development Goals.

But what are the #SDGs or #GlobalGoals?

Check this out! https://t.co/In4bwOhGYP#UNGA pic.twitter.com/neukpZ6pBm

— UN Development (@UNDP) September 20, 2023

#TBT Lots of speakers at the UN these days, but none is a DINOSAUR! Remember when one actually spoke at the General Assembly? 

Observed around the world on 21 September, this year’s International Day of Peace reminds everyone of their individual and collective responsibility to take action to promote peace and advance progress towards the #GlobalGoals.

GA-200 serves an important purpose, because it is located directly behind the General Assembly Hall. The space has conference and meeting rooms. Heads of state, prime ministers and foreign ministers wait there before addressing the General Assembly.

The interior work was executed by Swiss craftsmen working under the guidance of Canton of Thurgau regional carpenters. The materials used include walnut, anodized aluminum, colored glass and grey wool carpet. The furniture was specifically designed for the space and described as simple elegance.

An interior design feature is the word “peace” in tiny text, which is inlaid on 12 various surfaces in the space and furniture and written in the six official languages of the UN. The inlays are made of diamonds, gold, white gold, tantalum and exotic woods. These precious materials are meant to provoke thought about peace and its value. This message is directed at those in power, who will speak in front of the General Assembly.

In an after-hours event on the second day of UNGA78, Microsoft hosted UN Partners to an evening of discussion on harnessing the power of AI for a better world. Here we see the International Criminal Court's prosecutor Karim Khan (right) in discussion with Brad Smith (left), Vice Chair and President of Microsoft. Mr. Khan told the gathering that "by harnessing the ability of artificial intelligence and machine learning his office has dramatically increased their ability to prosecute cases and AI has become an essential tool to support bringing justice to the most vulnerable people in the world".

Ukraine takes centre stage at the Security Council. A first-ever Climate Ambition Summit opens. A pandemic-preparedness meeting agrees on a set of health priorities. And experts discuss the dangers and opportunities of Artificial Intelligence. The General Assembly high-level week kicks into high gear.

In the GA Hall, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi deplored that the different peacekeeping missions deployed for 25 years in his country have not succeeded in confronting the rebellions and armed conflicts nor protect civilian populations. It is therefore illusory and counterproductive to continue “to cling” to present mission, MONUSCO, to restore peace in the DRC, he stated.

President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, speaking about democracy in her speech to the GA: "The success or downfall of one democracy resonates globally. When one thrives, it inspires hope in others. When one falters, it risks a domino effect. Today, the fight for democracy anywhere is the fight for democracy everywhere, and in this interlinked fight for democracy we will prevail."

The UN Secretary-General once recorded a message to aliens that was blasted into space. Bill Nye the Science Guy breaks it down.

Members of United States Delegation arrive at Palais de Chaillot to attend the 3rd #UNGA held in Paris, France, in September 1948. Eleanor Roosevelt walks with Ernest Gross and Phillip C. Jessup.
See more #UNGA history: https://t.co/Un6Pkb1Ire
UN Photo/Marvin Bolotsky pic.twitter.com/g4ytW1egya

— United Nations Photo (@UN_Photo) September 20, 2023

Check out this panel with young leaders Ayesha Siddiqui, Vishal Prasad and Noa Greene-Houvras, who will look at climate justice.

A busy day at UNHQ and in between speeches and meetings Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine and Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre share a friendly moment in the GA Hall.

Ukraine's First Lady, Olena Zelenska, stopped to tour this exhibition taking place in UNHQ, featuring images of her own country along with others from Afghanistan, Iraq and Yemen. She was joined by Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the event sponsor.

Brazilian performer Ingrid Silva on making the world a better place.

#GlobalGoals at #UNGA: "it all starts by taking ONE single step!"

Brazilian performer, activist and @SDGoals Circle Supporter @ingridsilva told UN News during her participation in the @SDGMediaZone. pic.twitter.com/kmxRvHlknP

— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) September 20, 2023

Addressing the matter of regional peace and security in West Africa, President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio stated : "We view with deep concern the rising tides of insecurity and the subtle erosion of democratic governance and ideals in the West African sub-region and the Sahel. Sierra Leone raises its voice alongside its ECOWAS allies in expressing unequivocal dissent towards any extra-constitutional changes of government."

Earlier today, the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame called for greater intergovernmental cooperation in his speech to the GA - "Developing countries are constrained by a debt crisis, including higher costs of borrowing. This is causing economic disparities to widen and is slowing down our collective progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The primary cause of this crisis is high interest rates in developed economies in order to correct for years of quantitative easing. At the same time, developing countries face exaggerated risk premiums for both currency and political risk, which are simply unjustified. We need serious cooperation to address this."

Many Advocates for the SDGs and Climate are at UNHQ, Let's hear from Javier Munoz:

#GlobalGoals at #UNGA: "we need YOU!"

Broadway actor, activist and @SDGoals Circle Supporter, @JMunozActor
during his participation in the @SDGMediaZone. pic.twitter.com/tfdCRoYOtx

— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) September 20, 2023

In his speech to the GA, President of Comoros, Azali Assoumani emphasised the need for countries to take action on climate change, saying: "The funding pledged to combat climate change have to, in fact, be translated into specific actions if we want to live, in future, in a world which is safer and more prosperous. I call, therefore, for support to the Moroni Declaration issued last June on Blue Economy and the Nairobi Declaration of last September, and this to make sure that the countries can defend with one voice their common interests.... in particular to do this during the upcoming COP28 in Dubai."