In this context, the President outlined his three priorities for the upcoming session under the theme “The United Nations at 70 – A new Commitment to Action” as: Sustainable Development, the UN’s effective and efficient contribution to international Peace and Security and support to human rights and related issues such as governance, the rule of law, gender equality.  He stressed the need to work together in addressing global challenges, including by reforming the United Nations system. He informed about the upcoming high level GA thematic debates to deepen discussions  and to recommend solutions thereon.

The Director-General thanked the President for his briefing and pledged UNESCO's continuing and full support. Emphasizing the historic opportunity for member states and the UN system, Ms Bokova highlighted  the importance of providing inclusive quality and life-long education for all and promoting intercultural dialogue, cultural literacy to counter rising intolerance, referring in particular to UNESCO's Incheon Declaration and education for a global citizenship.  

She stressed the strong mobilization of the Organization to support the implementation of the 2030 Development agenda by the governments across all its fields of expertise, in particular STI, biodiversity, climate change, women's empowerment through education, the sciences, culture and communication. The Director-General also briefed him on the continued efforts to promote freedom of expression and ensure the safety of journalists.

In conclusion, Ms Bokova stressed the increasingly important role of the UN specialized agencies in the overall architecture of the UN thanks to their universal nature, normative, monitoring and policy advice functions, ever more relevant in the context of the implementation of the new sustainable development goals to be adopted in the coming days.