It is an indisputable fact that one activity in the world that sees the assemblage of world leaders from all spheres of life is the United Nations General Assembly held yearly at its headquarters in New York the United States of America.
Today, as the assembly continues with its deliberations, I am inspired to share this piece of my impression when, I, along with two other mainstream journalists- BBC Jonathan Paye-Leyleh and FrontPage editor Rodney Sieh- accompanied then President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to the Assembly in September 2017.
“The UN General Assembly is the only universally representative body of the United Nations. The other major bodies are the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Secretariat and the International Court of Justice.
As delineated in the Charter of the United Nations, the function of the General Assembly is to discuss, debate, and make recommendations on subjects pertaining to international peace and security, including development, disarmament, human rights, international law and the peaceful arbitration of disputes between nations.
“It elects the nonpermanent members of the Security Council and other UN bodies, such as the Human Rights Council (HRC), and appoints the secretary-general based on the Security Council’s recommendation. It considers reports from the other four organs of the United Nations, assesses the financial situations of member states, and approves the UN budget, its most concrete role.
‘“The assembly works with the Security Council to elect the judges of the function of the General Assembly to discuss, debate, and make recommendations on subjects pertaining to international peace and security, including development, disarmament, human rights, international law, and the peaceful arbitration of disputes between world leaders each year but has struggled to make its work more substantive.”
This year’s session commemorates the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations’ founding. It will mark the event on September 21 with a high-level meeting.
It is also said that for the first time in the assembly’s seventy-five-year history, leaders of member states will not gather in person due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was in line with this that President George Manneh Weah last Monday evening delivered his message in which he stressed the need for the UN to re-examine and redefine its mission and vision so that it becomes a more relevant anal responsive to the new reality.
Additionally, the function of the General Assembly is to discuss, debate, and make recommendations on subjects pertaining to international peace and security, including development, disarmament, human rights, international law, and the peaceful arbitration of disputes between world leaders each year but has struggled to make its work more substantive. For the first time in the assembly’s seventy-five-year history, leaders of member states will not gather in person due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As it is in line with usual protocol at such gathering; upon our arrival in the USA, with the help of Liberia’s Permanent Mission to the UN then, headed by Amb. Lewis Browne, we proceeded to the accreditation office, where we received our official tags, thus making us accredited members of the Assembly.
For me, that was my second time at the UN headquarters. The first time was in1994 when I, along with international journalists participated in the US’s International Visitor’s Program, which took us to several other states in that country.
Today, it is not about boring you about the history and functions, or success story of that world body. My principal concern or impression is the orderliness or the way and manner in which the Assembly was organized and held. With our tags conspicuously displayed and after going through the vigorous security checks at the entrance, there was no hindrance.
Even with the movement of world leaders, there was no pushing or shoving by security officers, to “give way” for leaders to go through. Noticeably as we sat in the lobby, exchanging pleasantries for us to be ushered in when it was time for former President Sirleaf to speak, we saw world leaders, some of whom we recognized and their delegations moving in order to deliver their messages while we awaited our time.
Another thing I admired was the ushering in of country’s delegates. There is a special area in the hall for them to sit. After a leader ended his or her message their delegations would give way to the next speaker’s delegation in an orderly and organized manner.
Admittedly, let me say that I have attended many international meetings, but the one I attended at the UN was quite different in terms of protocol, organization and orderliness.
I will always reflect on that. That was my impression. Lastly, let me thank the former President for that great opportunity.
I Rest My Case.