Sam Kahamba Kutesa (centre), President of the sixty-ninth session of the General Assembly, opens the general debate.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Ban reviewed the organization’s activities over the past year, noting that 2014 has been a terrible year for the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. He said human rights and the rule of law are under attack by barrel bombs, beheadings, the deliberate starvation of civilians, and assaults on hospitals, UN shelters, and aid convoys.

Ban said violations of human rights and international law have occurred frequently in many places but haven’t been punished and called for coordination of the international community to fight extremist groups which are threatening world peace and security. Ban warned that the ghosts of the Cold War might return.