The UN General Assembly met on Tuesday morning to open its 61st session with its president calling for confidence and support of the world people towards the Organization.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the session, Sheikha Haya Rashid Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, who is the first female General Assembly President since 1969, stressed that the United Nations faces many challenges.

"It needs the confidence and support of the world just as the people of the world need this Organization," she said.

Sheikha Haya called on member states to work together in an effort to make a real difference, to achieve a global consensus on political, security, economic, environment and social issues, and to translate commitments into effective actions.

Meanwhile, she sketched out proposals for the work of the 61st session, saying the General Assembly has to continue to evolve and strive to deliver sustainable solutions to the major current challenges within the framework of multilateralism.

The 61st session's general debate is to be held from Sept. 19 to 27, focusing issues of the UN reform, the appointment of the successor to Kofi Annan, development goals, counter-terrorism and environmental protection.

(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2006)