UN General Assembly special emergency session convened on Monday for the first time in 40 years

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Sunday at the request of Western countries, convening a “special emergency session” of the UN General Assembly on Monday for its 193 members to decide on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“For the first time in 40 years, the UN Security Council has decided to call for an emergency special session in the @UN General Assembly on #Ukraine. The GA meeting will be held on Monday,” reads a UN tweet.

The resolution, supported by the United States and Albania, was adopted by 11 countries. Russia voted against, the United Arab Emirates, China and India abstained. No veto was possible for this referral in accordance with current UN regulations.

On Friday, Moscow rejected a resolution initiated by the United States and Albania condemning the Russian invasion and calling for the immediate withdrawal of troops from Ukraine.

This exceptional notification of the General Assembly, an extremely rare event in the history of the UN, will allow the 193 members of the UN to position themselves on the conflict between the supporters of democracy and sovereignty of Ukraine and the supporters of Moscow.

“Considering that the lack of unanimity of its permanent members on Friday prevented it from exercising its primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security,” the Security Council “decides to convene an extraordinary emergency session of the General Assembly,” the adopted resolution reads.

Monday’s special session of the General Assembly is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. (15:00 GMT) and will be opened by the President of this body and the Secretary-General of the UN.

On Monday afternoon, at France’s request, an emergency meeting of the Security Council, the fifth in the last week, is scheduled for 15:00 (20:00 GMT). It will include a presentation on the humanitarian crisis in Europe caused by Russia. France intends to adopt a resolution at this meeting “calling for an end to hostilities and the protection of civilians”, as well as “unhindered humanitarian access”.