Street closures. Gridlock. Traffic advisories. That's what the opening of the General Assembly means to so many New Yorkers.

But inside this iconic building, Ecuador's Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces is making herstory on the world's biggest stage.

"It's a big honor, but it's also a big responsibility!" she said.

Garces is president of the General Assembly, the first woman from Latin America and the Caribbean to hold the post. And she's painfulfully aware that New Yorkers are generally clueness about what she calls "the parliament of humanity."

"I think it's a paradox to be in a city such an incredible beautiful city like New York," she said, "and having people outside these walls not know what we do."

So here's a quick primer of what they do. There are 193 member states - the United States is one of them - and global leaders meet to discuss global challenges like human rights, AIDS and conflict resolution.

As the president of the General Assembly, or PGA, Garces presides over the sessions, and her delicate role is to bring the different views together.

Insiders say all eyes will be on President Donald Trump as he chairs the powerful Security Council. Many want to hear if Trump will soften his views on climate change.

"I think it's very important that this country is committed," Garces said.

And about that traffic? Well, President Espinosa Garces says mass transit is good the environment.

"It's very important, and we are especially used to public transportation. there is no carbon," she said. "It's going to help a great deal with traffic in New York."

You get the global picture: take mass transit and save Mother Earth.