DUSHANBE, September 19, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) started on September 18 its 67th session at the UN Headquarters in New York.

According to international media sources, Vuk Jeremic, the former Serbian foreign minister who was elected president of the 67th UNGA session on June 8, said in an opening address that the General Assembly is “the only forum where all (UN) member states come together as sovereign equals to advance the aims of the UN Charter.”

Pledging to faithfully serve the cause of the United Nations, Jeremic said: "I look forward to engaging with all delegations, in furtherance of shared goals and objectives."

“Having consulted widely on the matter, I have chosen bringing about adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations by peaceful means as the overarching theme for our work over the next 12 months,” he added.

According to him, among key issues on its agenda, the General Assembly will address the Millennium Development Goals, climate change and sustainable development, food security, the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of conflicts, disarmament, and United Nations reform, including reform of the Security Council.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the General Assembly faces a long and urgent agenda.

Ban noted that the world is in a period of unease and that, at a time of rising unemployment, rising inequality, rising temperatures, and rising intolerance, “the United Nations must rise to the moment.”

Renewing his congratulation to Jeremic on taking up the new post, Ban offered his support to the GA president.  He also hoped that the two of them will be working together during this session to deepen the efforts to strengthen and modernize the United Nations itself.

Following opening week, on September 24, the General Assembly will convene a high-level meeting on the rule of law at the national and international levels, during which UN member states, non- governmental organizations and civil society will work towards strengthening the rule of law.

The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. Comprising all 193 Members of the United Nations, the General Assembly meets in regular session intensively from September to December each year and thereafter as required.