Dennis Francis elected 78th UNGA president

The 193 UN Member States, elected a veteran diplomat from Trinidad and Tobago, Dennis Francis as the President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. Francis, who has had a nearly 40-year-career, will take the helm of the UN’s main policy-making body, starting in September. He was elected by acclamation during a ceremony in the iconic General Assembly Hall at UN Headquarters in New York. The General Assembly consists of all 193 UN Member States, all of which have an equal vote.

Its duties include appointing the Secretary-General, on the recommendation of the Security Council, and approving the Organisation’s annual budget. Francis said he would prioritise encouraging and facilitating meaningful dialogue.

The current General Assembly President, Csaba Kőrösi of Hungary, noted that his successor would bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the post. With 100 days remaining in his administration, Kőrösi said he will continue to promote the use of science for a sustainability transformation, namely in preparations for the SDG Summit during the High-Level Week of the General Assembly in September.

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About the UNGA:

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), serving as the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN. The UNGA is responsible for the UN budget, appointing the non-permanent members to the Security Council, appointing the UN secretary-general, receiving reports from other parts of the UN system, and making recommendations through resolutions.
The UNGA has the power to discuss any issue within the scope of the Charter, and to make recommendations on any such questions to the Security Council, the Members of the United Nations, and to other organs of the United Nations. It may also initiate studies and make recommendations with respect to international peace and security, including the principles governing disarmament and the regulation of armaments.
The UNGA is composed of all the Member States of the United Nations. Each Member State has one vote in the General Assembly. Decisions on important questions, such as those relating to international peace and security, admission of new Members to the United Nations, and the election of the non-permanent members of the Security Council, require a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting. Decisions on other questions are made by a simple majority of the members present and voting.
The UNGA meets in regular sessions from September to December each year. Special sessions may be convened by the Secretary-General at the request of the Security Council or a majority of the Members of the United Nations.
The UNGA is a powerful body that can make important decisions on a wide range of issues. It is the only organ of the United Nations where all Member States have equal representation. This gives the UNGA a unique role in promoting international cooperation and resolving international disputes.

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