PRESS RELEASE

Council of Presidents of the General Assembly marks United Nations Day with new energy

24 October 2022

The Council of Presidents of the General Assembly (CPGA) met with senior United Nations officials to address future challenges and to elect its new leadership on 20 October at United Nations Headquarters.

Comprised of all living former Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly, the CPGA elected its chair H.E. HAN Seung-soo and vice-chair H.E. Jan KAVAN each for a three-year term of office.

A record number participated and pledged support for a revitalized CPGA as a "platform to advance multilateralism and a more inclusive United Nations" through its global town hall. Mr. Han also acknowledged the service of his predecessor H.E. Mr. Julian Hunte.

The CPGA then discussed shared priorities with H.E. Mr. Csaba KÖRÖSI, President of the UN General Assembly's 77th Session (currently underway) and Mrs. Amina MOHAMMED, Deputy-Secretary-General of the UN Organization attending on behalf of Secretary-General Antonio GUTERRES traveling abroad.

The two senior UN officials welcomed and supported the CPGA's objective to develop further as a diplomatic resource for addressing challenges to peace, development, and human rights. In turn, Mr. Han pledged CPGA support for the priorities of the General Assembly and of the Secretary-General and for strengthening the Presidency of the General Assembly as an institution.

The day-long program further considered international crises and the need to develop levels of trust among forces in conflict and their disputants. This considered recent General Assembly resolutions condemning the war in Ukraine and calling for more oversight of the Security Council.

The Council of Presidents of the General Assembly, established thirty years ago, offers the experience and wisdom of its distinguished, senior figures to promote and realize UN principles through diplomacy and dialogue. In attendance on 20 October were H.E. Mr. Tijjani MUHAMMAD-BANDE (74th Assembly), H.E. Ms. María Fernanda ESPINOSA GARCÉS (73rd Assembly), H.E. Mr. Miroslav LAJČÁK (72nd Assembly), H.E. Mr. Peter THOMSON (71st Assembly), H.E. Mr. Mogens LYKKETOFT (70th Assembly), H.E. Mr. Joseph DEISS (65th Assembly), H.E. Mr. Srgjan KERIM (62nd Assembly), H.E. Ms. Sheikha Haya Rashed AL KHALIFA (61st Assembly), H.E. Mr. Jan ELIASSON (60th Assembly), H.E. Mr. Jan KAVAN (57th Assembly), and H.E. Mr. HAN Seung-soo (56th Assembly).