The President of the United Nations General Assembly’s 74th session, Ambassador Tijjani Mohammad-Bande of Nigeria, has set key priorities for ushering in a better future for all. Sharing his ideas for how to achieve an ambitious agenda, he discusses how countries can unite to address pressing issues facing the the world.

The United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the 2019 Climate Summit explains what is expected when world leaders gather for this milestone event. Luis Alfonso de Alba describes how the Summit will build momentum for boosting national ambition and intensifying climate action worldwide.

Defending people, promoting justice and standing strong for human rights: Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein, the outgoing UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, reflects on his four years of serving the cause. "Oppression is making a comeback. Repression is fashionable again. Our job is to defend individual victims, vulnerable & marginalized communities." ———- Outgoing UN human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said he did not seek a second term after it became “clear” to him that the permanent five members of the Security Council would not support him over his criticism of those countries. In an interview ahead of his departure from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid said through his contacts with the P-5 (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) it was clear to him that it would be “tough to gain their support” due to statements and reports he and his office had made “regarding these countries or their actions in conflict zones, for example in Yemen or Syria.” He added that he would have possibly remained in the post if there was a clear indication that those countries would back him. The High Commissioner said he faced some pressure from countries during his tenure but the greater pressure came from civil society and the victims of grave violations who expect a great deal from the Office which was consequential in assuring the need to do the right thing. Zeid said his office always tried different methods to conduct its work before going public in criticizing States. He noted however sometimes speaking out is the only way to grab officials’ attention. He stressed that he would rather “err on the speaking out part than staying silent” after seeing in the mid-90’s in the former Yugoslavia “catastrophes silence can bring.” The UN human rights chief emphasized that his office’s job “is not to defend the States” which are capable of defending themselves, rather it is to “defend the individual victims, vulnerable communities, marginalized communities, or oppressed communities.” He said oppression was “making a comeback” and “repression is fashionable again.” Zeid said he has lost friends over his role as High Commissioner but stressed that his “conscience is clear.” He said his “main obligation is to be a spokesperson for the victims [and] if this upsets some countries, so be it.” #UnitedNations #StandUp4HumanRights

Thomas Buergenthal, a Holocaust survivor and a former judge of the UN International Court of Justice, shares his experiences at the Auschwitz concentration camp as a young boy. He was the keynote speaker at the annual UN ceremony marking the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a German-born Jew who fled to Switzerland during World War II, shares her story at the opening of the ‘Last Swiss Holocaust Survivors’ exhibit at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, brings to the job personal experience of overcoming injustice and powerful conviction in the value of being a voice for the voiceless. As the UN’s top human rights official, the High Commissioner is mandated to promote and protect the enjoyment and full realization, by all people, of all rights established in the Charter of the United Nations and under international human rights laws and treaties. The mandate also includes preventing human rights violations, promoting international cooperation to protect human rights, being the coordinator of action across the UN, and strengthening and streamlining the whole UN system in the field of human rights. Minutes after she was approved, UN chief Antonio Guterres told reporters he was “delighted” by the news of her official appointment, describing Ms. Bachelet, a “pioneer”, has been “as formidable a figure in her native Chile, as she has at the United Nations”. Shortly after assuming office in early September, Ms. Bachelet was in New York for the General Assembly’s high-level general debate. She spoke with UN News on the rights situation around the world, the priorities for her tenure, and how can rights be better protected. Bearing in mind her own personal experience of being detained and tortured in Chile, the interview started with a question on how she overcame the hardships she suffered under the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Read More: https://news.un.org/en/interview/2018/10/1023472

Ellie Goulding stressed the need for climate action during a recent visit to UN Headquarters in New York. The British singer-songwriter was the recipient of the “New Voices” award from the UN Foundation for her commitment to bettering the planet.

María Fernanda Espinosa on 17th September 2018 becomes the new President of the United Nations General Assembly. An Ecuadorian politician and diplomat, she will head the General Assembly for the 73rd session. In this interview, she explains how she intends to revitalize the UN parliament, her priorities as President and the meaning of being the first Latin American woman in this role.

Award-winning Israeli cartoonist Michel Kichka is the son of a Holocaust survivor and the creator of the graphic novel “Second Generation – The Things I Didn’t Tell My Father.” He spoke to UN News about the creative process involved in his work, while in New York for an event for high school students organized by the UN Holocaust Programme.