Morocco has been selected through a random draw to hold the inaugural seat at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, scheduled to commence this September in New York. This significant diplomatic development places the North African nation in a prominent position for the upcoming session.

During a plenary session of the General Assembly held recently in New York, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres conducted the customary drawing of lots to determine which nation would occupy the first seat for the upcoming session. In adherence to established protocol, Morocco emerged as the chosen country.

“The Secretary-General has just drawn the name of the country that will occupy the first seat in the General Assembly Hall for its next session. That country is Morocco,” announced spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric during a press briefing, expressing satisfaction with the outcome.

This same plenary session also saw the election of the 81st General Assembly’s President, with Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, securing the position. Furthermore, member states proceeded to elect the nations that will serve as Vice-Presidents for this session, including the United States, China, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, Egypt, Afghanistan, and Gabon.

As the United Nations’ universal body comprising all 193 member states, the General Assembly serves as the organization’s foremost multilateral forum, where every nation holds an equal voting right. Its crucial responsibilities encompass approving the UN budget, electing non-permanent members to the Security Council, and appointing the Secretary-General.