"Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth, these are one and the same fight," said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in his opening remarks at the 66th session of the UN General Assembly that opened in New York yesterday (21).

He emphasized the importance of a collective global effort to address this issue.

A large gathering of Heads of State and Governments attended the opening session, where Sri Lanka was represented by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The UNSG also highlighted a number of issues facing the world today, particularly the spread of communicable diseases, empowering women, food security and climate change, which will addressed by member states at this session of the UNGA.

The first address by a Head of State at this session was by Brazilian President Dilma Rouseff, who made history as the first female national leader to commence the annual proceedigs of the UNGA.