Things look at bit different at this session of the UN General Assembly

The 68th session of the General Assembly is now underway, but this year the delegates are not convening in the usual General Assembly Hall. 

Since the General Assembly Building closed for renovation on 31 May 2013, plenary meetings will be held in the North Lawn Building until renovations are complete in time for the opening of the 69th session slated to begin in September 2014.

The original General Assembly Hall before its renovation. Photo credit: UN Photo

The reason for the renovation is that the original UN structures were built between 1950 and 1952. These buildings had aged considerably and clearly lacked the standards that are expected in a modern and safe building. Renovating the complex is the most cost-effective way of replacing aging and inefficient equipment, bringing the complex up to the same safety standards as other buildings in New York, and preventing future deterioration. See more answers to questions about the renovation in these FAQs on the website of the UN Capital Master Plan.

Related material:

• More renovation photos are posted on the website of the UN Capital Master Plan
• Official General Assembly website
• Guest blog post by President of the General Assembly John Ashe
  
• UN Webcast: Live coverage of meetings — also includes on-demand videos of past events.
• Follow @UN, @UN_Spokesperson, @UN_PGA and #UNGA on Twitter (plus more specialized and multilingual accounts).
• Many high-level events will take place on issues including the Millennium Development Goals, migration and development, disabilities and development, and nuclear disarmament.