UN General Assembly opens 64th session

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations General Assembly opened on Tuesday its 64th session here at the UN Headquarters in New York, with veteran Libyan diplomat Ali Abdussalam Treki at the helm.

The 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly opens at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, Sept. 15, 2009.  (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

"The United Nations must be reformed and must gain international legitimacy, ensuring that its voice is heard and respected and its resolutions applied," Treki told delegates at the opening session.

"It is vital to reform the Security Council and to re-reform the General Assembly so that they can comprehensively fulfill their roles," he said.

The GA president's speech also touched upon other key issues relating to the 192-member body's work, including counter-terrorism, the Middle East peace process, development, climate change and non-proliferation.

"We have all condemned terrorism, which causes instability and endangers the international community," Treki said. "Yet despite our joint efforts and resolutions, terrorism continues to grow and spread."