( Itar-Tass ) - A regular, the 62nd, session of the UN General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday with a traditional minute dedicated to a prayer or meditations.
Srdjan Kerim, Macedonia's ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs, has been elected the President of the Session.
Those present are expected to discuss over 160 agenda items, such as the ensurance of peace and security, counterterrorism, the upholding of human rights, the protection of the environment, and social and economic development matters.
The delegates are to carry on the examination, launched at the previous sessions, of issues concerning a reform of the UN Security Council and stimulation of the work of the UNO proper, as well as HIV/AIDS control efforts.
A general political debate is to be traditionally held within the framework of the new session. This time it will be conducted from September 25 to October 5. More than 70 Heads of State and 20 Heads of Government are expected to address the session within the first four days of the debate.
On the first day of the general political debate those present are to be addressed by the Presidents of the United States, France, Brazil, Iran, and Afghanistan.
Sergei Lavrov, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, will lead a Russian delegation to the session. His address is scheduled for September 28.