Miroslav Lajcak, President of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, speaks during his end-of-presidency press briefing, at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 13, 2018. Speaking to reporters on Thursday at the end-of-presidency press briefing, President of the 72nd session of the UNGA Miroslav Lajcak said that he believed the world leaders and high-level national representatives will, like they did last September, speak about climate change and sustainable development goals (SDGs), among other things at the upcoming General Debate of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 73). (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

Climate change and sustainable development goals (SDGs) will continue to dominate the speeches of world leaders and high-level national representatives who are to speak at the upcoming General Debate of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 73).

Speaking to reporters on Thursday at the end-of-presidency press briefing, President of the 72nd session of the UNGA Miroslav Lajcak said that he believed the world leaders and high-level national representatives will, like they did last September, speak about climate change and SDGs, among other things.

"We had more than 80 percent of speakers referring to these issues last September," said Lajcak, who will be stepping down as UNGA President next week.

The outgoing president also noted that Syria will be one of the hot topics during the General Debate.

UNGA 73 will open on Sept. 18 and the first day of the high-level General Debate will be Sept. 25.

Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, President-elect of the 73rd session of the UNGA, announced in July that the theme of the upcoming General Debate will be "Making the United Nations Relevant to All People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies."