UN begins annual session, dominated by Palestinian statehood quest Eds: starts new cycle

The UN General Assembly began Wednesday its 66th annual session, with calls from Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to address climate change, social programmes and the world economy, DPA reported

However the session is already dominated by demands by Palestinians for statehood and full UN membership.

Ban presented a five-point plan asking the 193-nation assembly to act to address world challenges, from the environment, a planet with 7 billion people, help to poor countries and newly formed countries like South Sudan.

"Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth, these are one of the same fight," Ban said.

"We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women's empowerment," he said. "Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all."

The annual session is attended by all UN members and world organizations, whose representatives in succession will address the body until mid-next week.