A Preview of the United Nations General Assembly

As the United Nations General Assembly gathers in New York, the Brookings Institution will hold a briefing to examine the agenda, possible outcomes, and the unique importance of this meeting. The panel will include Lael Brainard, vice president and director of the Global Economy and Development Center; Ann Florini and Michael O’Hanlon, both senior fellows; and Jim Steinberg, vice president and director of Foreign Policy Studies.

This important U.N. meeting, which marks the 60th anniversary of the international body, comes amidst calls for drastic reforms in light of the oil-for-food scandal, as well as calls for structural reform, including the expansion of the Security Council. Additionally, there has been a great focus on the way the United States is attempting to shape the meeting, especially surrounding the goals laid out by the Millennium Development Goals and Human Rights Commission. Panelists will also discuss other issues surrounding the world forum including the UN Reform Act, proposed Terrorism Convention, and the Volcker Commission report.

There will be a question and answer session following remarks.