Overview

From September 2011 to September 2012, Ambassador Nasser Abdulaziz Al-Nasser of Qatar presided over the 66th session of the “world’s parliament” – the United Nations General Assembly. It was a critical moment in international affairs as the UN responded to a range of global challenges, from the world financial crisis to the Arab Spring. In A Year at the Helm of the General Assembly, Al-Nasser presents a high-level look inside the organization, assessing its strengths and weaknesses, its successes and struggles. He recounts dramatic moments, such as replacing the Libyan delegation, and a tireless schedule of overseas travel, including joint visits with the Secretary-General to Libya and Somalia. His work takes him from major international summits such as the Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Rio+20) to the European Parliament, which he was the first General Assembly President to address, to academic institutions from Oxford to Moscow to Morocco. Al-Nasser structures the book as he did his 66th session, around four main themes or “pillars:” mediation, UN reform, natural disaster prevention and response, and sustainable development.He offers a wide range of recommendations to intergovernmental institutions, to states, to the public sector, and to individuals. Al-Nasser was determined to leave behind a General Assembly that the people of the world could look up to and depend on. This volume is a testament to all that he accomplished in that regard, and a unique resource for those interested in knowing more about the world’s most representative body at a crucial moment in history.

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9781479862009

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This book is not only an eye-catching memoir written by an outstanding diplomat and thinker but also an extraordinarily deep and insightful examination of the most complicated challenges of contemporary world. Based on the author's unique skills and exiting experience of serving as president of the 66th session of the UN General Assembly and his firsthand encounters with different regions, states and world leaders the book covers a remarkably wide range of issues from the peaceful settlement of disputes to the UN reform and revitalization. A must-read for all who are interested in global politics and the mission and activities of the world's parliament as seen through the eyes of its president. -Vitaly Naumkin,author of Radical Islam in Central Asia: Between Pen and Rifle Ambassador Al-Nasser presents an illuminating picture of the UN General Assembly during one of its most challenging years. The Assembly's 66th session, stretching from September 2011 to the next September, was exceptionally busy and challenging. Internally, the UN was struggling to implement long-standing reforms. Externally, it was facing multiple emergencies and crises in the Middle East, North Africa and elsewhere. Ambassador Al-Nasser was president of the General Assembly during this eventful year. A skilled and experienced diplomat, he launched numerous initiatives, energized by his Four Pillars strategy - peaceful settlement of disputes, reform and revitalization of the UN system, disaster prevention and response and sustainable development and prosperity. To it all, the Ambassador brought a deep commitment to nurturing a culture of peace based on justice. -James Hoge,former editor of Foreign Affairs and Senior Advisor, Teneo Intelligence

Ambassador Al-Nasser presents an illuminating picture of the UN General Assembly during one of its most challenging years. The Assembly's 66th session, stretching from September 2011 to the next September, was exceptionally busy and challenging. Internally, the UN was struggling to implement long-standing reforms. Externally, it was facing multiple emergencies and crises in the Middle East, North Africa and elsewhere. Ambassador Al-Nasser was president of the General Assembly during this eventful year. A skilled and experienced diplomat, he launched numerous initiatives, energized by his Four Pillars strategy -- peaceful settlement of disputes, reform and revitalization of the UN system, disaster prevention and response and sustainable development and prosperity. To it all, the Ambassador brought a deep commitment to nurturing a culture of peace based on justice. -James Hoge, former editor of Foreign Affairs and Senior Advisor, Teneo Intelligence

Ambassador Al-Nasser presents an illuminating picture of the UN General Assembly during one of its most challenging years. The Assembly's 66th session, stretching from September 2011 to the next September, was exceptionally busy and challenging. Internally, the UN was struggling to implement long-standing reforms. Externally, it was facing multiple emergencies and crises in the Middle East, North Africa and elsewhere. Ambassador Al-Nasser was president of the General Assembly during this eventful year. A skilled and experienced diplomat, he launched numerous initiatives, energized by his Four Pillars strategy - peaceful settlement of disputes, reform and revitalization of the UN system, disaster prevention and response and sustainable development and prosperity. To it all, the Ambassador brought a deep commitment to nurturing a culture of peace based on justice. -James Hoge,former editor of Foreign Affairs and Senior Advisor, Teneo Intelligence This book is not only an eye-catching memoir written by an outstanding diplomat and thinker but also an extraordinarily deep and insightful examination of the most complicated challenges of contemporary world. Based on the author's unique skills and exiting experience of serving as president of the 66th session of the UN General Assembly and his firsthand encounters with different regions, states and world leaders the book covers a remarkably wide range of issues from the peaceful settlement of disputes to the UN reform and revitalization. A must-read for all who are interested in global politics and the mission and activities of the world's parliament as seen through the eyes of its president. -Vitaly Naumkin,author of Radical Islam in Central Asia: Between Pen and Rifle

Author Information

Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser served as the President of the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly (2011-2012) and is currently the United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations. A veteran diplomat, he has contributed to advancing the multilateral agenda in the realms of peace and security, sustainable development, and South-South cooperation over a career spanning nearly four decades. Ban Ki-moon is Secretary-General of the United Nations.

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