By Alex Rodriguez

Late on the evening of 24 November 2024, Representative Grace Wilson of Germany presented Resolution 2-1, formerly known as Draft Resolution AA, marking the first resolution to be brought to the floor of the General Assembly Third Committee (GA3) for debate.

The resolution, a collaborative effort between the United Kingdom, Slovenia, Malta, Georgia and several other nations, had gathered enough sponsorship to move forward. 

“Resolution 2-1 is based on localized literacy issues,” Representative Wilson said. “With support for State sovereignty, the resolution looks to address the specific literacy issues that are the focus of each State. Through collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Institute of Lifelong Learning, each State can prioritize their own problems, whether that be the gap in literacy between genders, building up the infrastructure for increased digital literacy, or promoting indigenous language literacy.”

When the resolution was presented for debate in the General Assembly Third Committee today, it passed with overwhelming support 77/5/8. As the session continued into the late hours of the morning, both Germany and the United Kingdom raised points of inquiry regarding specific aspects of the resolution. After these concerns were addressed, Germany’s delegation moved to close the debate and proceed to a vote.

The resolution passed with an overwhelming majority, making it the first official movement in the General Assembly Third Committee this session. The passage of Resolution 2-1 marks a significant moment in global discussions on education, setting a precedent for future efforts to address literacy challenges through international collaboration tailored to the unique needs of individual States.

Representative Emily Bisset of Germany raises their placard to motion for Resolution 2-1 to be on the floor.