The Assembly elected the President and Vice-Presidents of the 125th Assembly. The Speaker of the Swiss Parliament, Mr R Germainier, and the Speaker of Uganda, Ms R Kadaga, was elected as President and Vice- President. The Assembly then considered requests for the inclusion of an emergency item in its agenda. The items that were considered for the inclusion as an emergency item were, The plight of the people of famine stricken Somalia and relief efforts by IPU members (proposed by Namibia), Realizing the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination (proposed by Palestine) and The need to further mobilize international support and strengthen international efforts to assist the Somali people suffering from famine (proposed by Iran). After brief inputs the delegations of Palestine and Iran withdrew their proposals in favour of the proposal by Namibia. The Assembly proceeded to a debate on the emergency item. In his address Speaker Sisulu noted that the world was once more witnessing a humanitarian disaster of epic proportions unfolding in the Horn of Africa. He stressed the need for countries to comprehensively address issues of sustainable development and the impact that factors such as climate change and political instability had on ensuring peace and human security. He further acknowledged that the impact of this crisis was being felt by all countries in the Horn of Africa. Speaker Sisulu acknowledged the work of the United Nations in the region as well as the contribution of the South African government and the NGO the Gift of the Giver. It was also noted that South Africa supported the efforts of the African Mission in Somalia as well as the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia in implementing the Road Map agreed by all parties. His address highlighted the dire conditions of the Horn of Africa and called on, as well as reminded the international community of their moral and ethical obligation to assist the people of Somalia.