UN General Assembly opens 72nd session

Photo taken on Sept 12, 2017, shows the United Nations General Assembly observing one minute of silence during the opening of the 72nd session at the UN headquarters in New York. Miroslav Lajcak, the new President of the UN General Assembly, on Tuesday declared the opening of the 72 session of the decision-making body of the United Nations. [Photo/Xinhua]

Miroslav Lajcak on Tuesday expressed the hope that China can continue to play an important role in world affairs.

"I am glad to see China play a very important role, being a leader on a number of global issues. And I wish to see China continue playing this role and speak not only in its national capacity, but speak as a promoter of the UN agenda," Lajcak told reporters after opening the 72nd session of the General Assembly.

At the first plenary session of the assembly, Lajcak promised to work with member states. "Consultations with member states will be a standing priority for me and my office. I want to stress that my door will always be open to you," he told the delegates.

Lajcak, a 54-year-old Slovak diplomat, succeeded Peter Thomson of Fiji as current General Assembly president. Lajcak served as his country's foreign minister for several times and has been involved in Europe-level diplomacy.