Proposed changes in General Debate format for 75th UN General Assembly session: Stakeholder and CSO participation and rescheduling of 25th Anniversary of Fourth World Conference on Women

A  proposal on the format of the 75^th UN General Assembly,  made by the current President, H.E. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, was discussed during a virtual meeting on 12 June. Member States are invited to submit written comments by today, 19 June.

The high-level week has been anticipated as the start of a “landmark year” for the UN.  Under the proposal changes to the format of the UN General Debate and surrounding high-level meetings in September 2020 would respond to the anticipated limitations on international travel and the convening of large in-person meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Under the revised format and based on advice from the UN Secretary-General, the host government (US) local authorities (New York City and New York State), Member States, and the UN’s medical director:

• The General Debate would still take place on the scheduled dates, 22-29 September 2020
• Volkan Bozkir of Turkey, elected President of the GA on 17 June, would deliver an opening statement in the GA Hall, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres would present his annual report on the work of the organization
• Heads of State would address the General Debate via pre-recorded video link or in person in the UNGA Hall by the New York-based Permanent Representative of a Member State
• The physical presence of delegations in the UNGA Hall would be limited to at one delegate per Member States. This may be extended to two delegates, if possible. Everyone would be requested to wear a face covering at all times, maintain physical distancing, and be free of COVID-19 symptoms.
• The preparations for the high-level week would “build on the experience gained from preceding meetings, in order to ensure that all, including stakeholders and civil society, are able to participate, as appropriate, in a meaningful way” 
• Similar arrangements would be put in place for the high-level meeting to commemorate the UN’s 75th anniversary on 21 September 2020 (UN75).

Rescheduling of 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women Other high-level meetings, including the Summit on Biodiversity and High-level meeting on 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women are currently scheduled to convene in parallel to the debate. Citing operational limitations on parallel meetings, Muhammad-Bande suggests changing their dates to allow for the use of virtual platforms and pre-recorded video statements as follows: 

• Summit on Biodiversity -- proposed to reschedule to 30 September
• High-level meeting on 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women -- proposed to reschedule to 1 October
• High-level meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons -- proposed to reschedule to 2 October

Proceedings of the high-level week will be streamed live on UN WebTV and all statements made in any of the UN’s six official languages will be interpreted into the other five languages. Side events are encouraged to take place over virtual platforms only.