UN General Assembly Chief Highlights Significant' Year

Doha, September 29 (QNA) - The 66th regular session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) was one of the most "successful" and "significant" sessions in the history of the United Nations, outgoing President HE Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser affirmed. The State of Qatar has presided over the UNGA during a hard time of the history of the international organization in general and the Arab region in particular however the General Assembly and its presidency has dealt with this crisis and issues with the utmost impartiality and objectivity while attempting to achieve the UN targets aimed at achieving international peace and security as well as implementing the international legitimacy on crisis, HE Al-Nasser told Qatar news agency (QNA). Despite the criticism directed against the UNGA of the United Nations in dealing with the Arab Spring, the Assembly has always supported the Arab people s aspirations for freedom, democracy and human dignity, he explained. What has been achieved by the UNGA during the previous session was much appreciated by the international community, HE Al-Nasser said, stressing HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani's keenness to attend the high-level meetings held at the UNGA's regular annual sessions, which showcases Qatar's commitment to its international obligations. Speaking about his mission during the past twelve months, HE Al-Nasser said he has an honor and a tremendous responsibility to preside over the 66th regular session of the General Assembly on behalf of the State of Qatar. The UN Official said the previous session was "very challenging," noting the Assembly's intense agenda, which has covered a number of major global issues. On the achievements reached by the Assembly s 66th session, HE Al-Nasser pointed to the UN policy-making organ's key role in recognizing the new Libyan authorities following the revolution. He also acknowledged the ongoing turmoil in Syria underlining the Assembly s commitments to the Syrian people. In this context, HE Al-Nasser referred to the appointment of former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan as the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis then the appointment of Lakhdar Brahimi as their Joint Special Representative for Syria. On the participation of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in the 67th General Assembly, Al Nasr said that HH the Emir was a true leader who paid attention to issues on the international stage, and Arab issues in particular. Al Nasr added that HH the Emir is always keen to attend the UN General Assembly sessions each year to demonstrate the State of Qatar's interest in international affairs. On the issues on the table at the General Assembly this year, the President said that the 67th UN General Assembly's main topic will be on mediation to find peaceful resolutions to crises. He said that the State of Qatar, under the leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani made an influential role in mediating conflicts in the region. Al Nasr also discussed his achievements as President of the General Assembly with QNA. He said that he visited Arab Spring countries Tunisia, Egypt and Libya and followed intently the developments of each country's democratic transition. He also visited Somalia with UN Secretary General to shed light on the security crisis it was having. He said that his presidency of the 66th General Assembly managed also to play a part to bring issues like sustainable development to the attention of the international community. He said that his own participation in Rio+20 in Brazil and its resulting final document helped tackle a number of economic issues. Another achievement Al Nasr said was holding, for the first time in the General Assembly's history, a discussion on respecting religions and the other. The decision came after the anti-Islam film was released on YouTube and sparked demonstrations against it across the Islamic world. On reforming the UN and allowing more than the five permanent members of the security council to take part in the decision making, Al Nasr said that the political will to reform was not available. Particularly as some of the more powerful countries would not like to give up that advantage, he added. (QNA)