Secretary-General Addresses Opening of General Debate of 80th Session of UN General Assembly

Secretary-General António Guterres (at podium at left) addresses the opening of the general debate of the General Assembly's eightieth session.

"Real power rises from people – from our shared resolve to uphold dignity. To defend equality. To believe, fiercely, in our common humanity, and the potential of every human being. I learned early to persevere. To speak out. To refuse to surrender. No matter the challenge. No matter the obstacle. No matter the hour. We must – and we will – overcome. Because in a world of many choices, there is one choice we must never make: The choice to give up. We must never give up. That is my promise to you. For peace. For dignity. For justice. For humanity. For the world we know is possible when we work as one," said the Secretary-General.

The theme for the general debate of the eightieth session of the General Assembly is "Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights".