UN General Assembly commences its 75th session amid coronavirus crisis

The landmark 75th session of the UN General Assembly was declared open by new General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir on Tuesday.

While addressing the Assembly, Bozkir asked all the UN member states to practice the value of multilateralism, reminding the world to come together in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

"The context in which we are working serves to remind us of the necessity of the multilateral system and inspires us all to make use of the UN Charter to address our collective challenges," he said.

Bozkir who sworn in as the President on Tuesday at the closing of the 74th General Assembly said that he intended to hold in-person meetings as long as the health allow with the necessary guidelines amid the pandemic.

"In our business of diplomacy, there is no substitute to meeting counterparts face-to-face to build long-term understandi

The world leaders this year will be speaking through pre-recorded videos in the digital assembly next week during the general debate.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an extended “people’s debate” that “promises to be the largest and furthest-reaching global conversation ever on building the future we want.”

The topics to be discussed this year will majorly revolve around the global pandemic coronavirus as cases continue to rise. A discussion on pandemic relief efforts is also most likely to turn out to be a contentious efforts.

ng of each other's positions and forge compromise," he said.

After the foundation of the UN General Assembly, it is for the first time the meetings were held virtually against the backdrop of coronavirus disease. In normal circumstances, Prime Ministers, Presidents and potentates would attended the 75th session, renewing the pledge for a better world.

There has been speculation that US President Donald Trump may come attend meeting physically next Tuesday, but Bozkir said that he had not seen any official notification yet.