Diplomacy

Morocco secures leading position at 81st UN General Assembly

Morocco has been selected through a lottery process to occupy the prominent first seat during the upcoming 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. This significant diplomatic development will see the North African nation take its place at the forefront when the session convenes in New York this September.

The draw, which determined the country to hold this esteemed position, occurred during a plenary session of the General Assembly held on Tuesday in New York. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, personally oversaw the selection process. In line with the established procedures of the international body, Morocco’s name was drawn.

“The Secretary-General has just chosen the name of the country that will occupy the first seat in the General Assembly hall during its next session. It is Morocco,” Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the Secretary-General, announced during a press briefing, expressing satisfaction with the selection.

During the same plenary gathering, member states also proceeded with the election of the 81st General Assembly’s President. Khalilur Rahman, the esteemed Minister of Foreign Affairs for Bangladesh, was chosen for this pivotal role. Additionally, several nations were elected to serve as Vice-Presidents for the session, including major global powers such as the United States, China, France, the United Kingdom, and Russia, alongside Egypt, Afghanistan, and Gabon.

The General Assembly, representing a universal body of all 193 United Nations member states, stands as the organization’s primary multilateral forum. Within this crucial assembly, each nation holds equal voting rights. Its responsibilities encompass approving the UN’s budget, electing non-permanent members to the Security Council, and appointing the Secretary-General.