Following tradition, the new session began one week before the assembly’s high-level debate kicks off next Tuesday with the participation of world leaders.The session will be presided over by Fijian diplomat Peter Thomson,who was elected as president of the General Assembly in June and will hold the mainly ceremonial position for one year.Thomson will oversee the election of the next UN secretary general, which is expected to take place in October once the UN Security Council makes its recommendation to the General Assembly, essentially asking the assembly to rubber stamp its chosen candidate. "Mr President, you will serve as a bridge between my administration and the next," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told Thomson. "You will have my full support, and that of my team, in ensuring a seamless transition. "What kind of a world will we have bequeathed them?" "Thomson also became the first incoming assembly president to take an oath.

Source: The Nation Bangkok September 14, 2016 01:07 UTC