From protecting vulnerable populations to promoting sustainable tourism, the United Nations is tackling some big issues.  

The climate crisis, the conflict in Ukraine and sustainable development are expected to dominate the talks at this year’s United Nations General Assembly. The general debate opens Tuesday with the annual report from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the state of the world.  

Leaders from the 193-member countries will also have a chance to address the international community with speeches over the next week.  

This year is the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Peacekeeping operations, of which China is a major financial contributor. I had the chance to talk with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations.  

As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism has started to make a comeback. The United Nations World Tourism Organization is one of 15 specialized agencies at the UN working to promote sustainable tourism. I had the chance to speak with the agency’s Executive Director, Zoritsa Urosevic.

Learn more about peacekeeping during #UNGA 🇺🇳

3️⃣ Fundamental principles govern the implementation of peacekeeping operations:

🔷The conflict parties must consent
🔷Peacekeepers must be impartial
🔷Non-use of force except in defence of the mandate.

More👉https://t.co/kjEcGnw2Dq pic.twitter.com/eZvnvLt0oq

— UN Peacekeeping (@UNPeacekeeping) September 18, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic generated a loss of 4.2 trillion tourism direct GDP in 2020, 2021 and 2022 combined.

🔗Find the full 2023 Edition of the International Tourism Highlights covering the impact of COVID-19 on tourism between 2020 and 2022: https://t.co/qnWtWDNBqB pic.twitter.com/GbdcAw8LyA

— World Tourism Organization (@UNWTO) September 18, 2023