The 78th United Nations General Assembly [fr]

The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) takes place at UN Headquarters in New York from 19 to 26 September 2023. This year, the theme for the debate will be: “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.”

On the occasion of this 78th UNGA High-Level Week, Heads of State and government and other high-level national representatives gather to set out their priorities and discuss global challenges in order to advance peace, security and sustainable development.

As the international community faces unprecedented challenges, this major event will provide an opportunity for France to reaffirm its commitment to strong and effective multilateralism.

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, will attend the UNGA from 17 to 23 September as Head of Delegation. She will be joined by several ministers: the Minister of Health and Prevention, Aurélien Rousseau, the Minister for the Energy Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, as well as the Minister of State for Marine Affairs, Hervé Berville.

A number of key events will take place on the sidelines or as part of the 78th UN General Assembly:

  • Generation Equality Midpoint Moment: Sunday, 17 September;
  • Opening of the 78th session of the General Assembly: Monday, 18 September;
  • General Debate: from Tuesday 19 to Friday 23 September;
  • SDG Summit: 18 and 19 September;
  • High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development (following on from the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact held in Paris in June): Wednesday, 20 September;
  • Climate Ambition Summit: 20 September;
  • High-level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response: 20 September;
  • France’s declaration at the General Debate: Thursday, 21 September.

The UNGA is also an opportunity for French representatives to hold numerous bilateral meetings with their counterparts.

Follow UNGA Ministerial Week 78 day by day with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

What is the UN General Assembly?

The General Assembly is the United Nations’ main body for deliberations, policy preparation and representation. Made up of the 193 members of the United Nations, it is a multilateral forum for the international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations.

More about the role and workings of the UN General Assembly
France Diplomacy

More information
Official website of the United Nations General Assembly

Online 19/09/2023

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