65th session of UN General Assembly opens in New York

The current session of UN General Assembly, its 65th, began work today at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York. Former president of Switzerland Joseph Deiss was elected its chairman. Speaking at the opening, he indicated that he intends to make every effort to ensure that the work session is effective.

"Very often we hear the view that the UN and its General Assembly did not have the real opportunities necessary to act and that it generally just talks shop. But I hope that starting with the 65th session we will demonstrate the opposite," said Deiss, The Voice of Russia informs.

Stressing that the session began "with a heavy agenda," Deiss highlighted three broad areas to focus: to ensure the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to be achieved; to reinstate the United Nations and the General Assembly at the center of global governance; and to promote sustainable development.

"Our efforts in the three areas will make essential contributions towards peace and security, international cooperation and friendship between peoples," Deiss said, Xinhua reports.