76th session of the UN General Assembly

The general debate of the 76th session of the General Assembly took place from September 21 to 27, 2021. The Heads of State and Government shared their message for the first time in a hybrid format, either face-to-face or via pre-recorded videos.

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco took part virtually and notably highlighted the rigorous management of the COVID-19 crisis and the support provided to the population and to businesses in the Principality. He also advocated for a post-COVID reconstruction that is green, sustainable and nature-based. His speech also insisted on the importance of multilateralism, digital development, the contribution of sport to the achievement of the SDGs, the fight against climate change and the protection of the oceans.

Numerous meetings also took place throughout the high-level week:

Kicking off the high-level week of the 76th session on 20^th September, the “SDG moment” launched five urgent calls for action: to end the pandemic, including with a plan to vaccinate 70% of the world's population by mid-2022; investing in a sustainable and equitable recovery; guarantee equal rights for women and girls; commit to net zero emissions by 2050 and mobilize $100 billion per year for climate action; and prioritize people in recovery plans. Youth participation was put at the forefront, including with the presence of the special envoy for future generations and culture, the K-pop group BTS which intensified the voice of young people asking to take the lead on the SDGs.

On 23^rd September, the first Food Systems Summit was convened by the Secretary-General around many courses of action, ranging from sustainable consumption to nature-based production and resilience to vulnerabilities. The event mobilized concrete commitments to transform food systems in order to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and implement the SDGs. Mr. Laurent Anselmi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, highlighted the decade of nutrition and family farming, and announced Monaco's support to the coalition on school meals.

The efforts of the international community towards a nuclear-free world were also expressed on the 23rd during the 12th conference on the promotion of the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), and on the 28th during of the International Day for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

Finally, on 24th September, the High Level Dialogue on Energy took place, the first global gathering on this topic since the 1981 Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy. With the objective of increasing ambition and accelerating action towards the achievement of SDG 7 for clean, sustainable and affordable energy, this event made it possible to identify concrete actions implemented by Member States and to generate energy pacts.

The Permanent Mission also took part in several side events devoted to women, particularly in Afghanistan, climate and biodiversity.