UNGA concludes annual high-level debate

The 70th session of the UN General Assembly concluded its annual high-level general debate here on Saturday, wrapping up discussions on a wide range of issues, including climate change, peace and development.

Mogens Lykketoft, president of the 70th General Assembly, said as the world commemorated the 70th anniversary of the UN, it was fitting and reassuring that the leaders recall and reaffirm the spirit and principles of the Charter and confirm their faith in the central role of the UN in international cooperation.

Many issues have been raised over the past six days in the "historic" 70th session of the assembly, and the depth of the discussions demonstrates that the task ahead of this organization was "enormous," Lykketoft said in a closing speech.

Over the past week, more than 120 heads of state and government addressed the General Assembly on the theme of "the United Nations at 70 -- a new commitment to action," calling for unified actions to combat the most urgent issues the international community has been faced with, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Syrian crisis, extremism and terrorism, refugee and migration crises have been highlighted in several high-level meetings on the sidelines of the general debate, with world leaders committing themselves to coordinating their joint efforts to take actions.

The assembly is the main deliberative organ of the world body. Comprising all 193 members, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues.

The General Assembly meets in regular session intensively from September to December each year. At the beginning of each regular session, the assembly holds a general debate, often addressed by heads of state and government to express their views on the most pressing international issues.