Fijian Ambassador Peter Thomson was chosen over Cypriot Andreas Mavroyiannis to preside over the assembly[2] in a year that includes the election of a new secretary-general of the United Nations.

Fiji's Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola that the country sought a platform to achieve sustainable development that would be called the Triennial UN Conferences on Oceans and Seas.

Speakers will be put on the list in the order of their request, with special consideration for ministers and other government officials of similar or higher rank.

Each speaker is requested to provide 20 advance copies of their statements to the conference officers to facilitate translation and to be presented at the podium.

[4] President Peter Thomson chose the theme of the debate as "The Sustainable Development Goals: a [sic] universal push to transform our world.