Between 6 and 10 November the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) held its 40th Plenary Assembly in Rio de Janeiro.
Hosted by UNA-Brazil and IBMEC University, and attracting delegates from over 40 countries, the Assembly began with a speech by Ambassador Park Soo Gil, President of WFUNA, and a video message from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Greeting the UNAs and focusing on his five point action plan, the Secretary-General particularly thanked all UNAs for “joining forces to advance the United Nations and for being the UN’s strongest allies and advocates in communities around the world.”
The Plenary Assembly and its side events fostered wide-ranging debates on issues ranging from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to issues of international security. Pre-plenary capacity building sessions facilitated interactive panel discussions on subjects such as branding, fundraising and information exchange between UNAs, while policy workshops focused on areas ranging from security to human rights.
James Kearney, UNA-UK’s Peace and Security Programmes Manager, spoke to delegates on the work of UNA-UK and on nuclear security issues, including on UNA-UK’s Towards Zero nuclear disarmament programme.
The second half of the working week was carried out through commissions on policy resolutions and WFUNA organisational matters respectively. UNA-UK was delighted by the support it received from delegations for its four draft resolutions, including on promoting a world free from nuclear weapons; upholding the commitment to prevent mass atrocity crimes; supporting the advancement of universal human rights, and securing an effective arms trade treaty.
UNA-UK looks forward to working more closely with other UNAs in the months to come, and is committed, where possible, to supporting the work of the World Federation of United Nations Associations.
An update to this story will be posted once the final outcome document of the Assembly has been published.
