Lungu jets into New York

Sun, 17 Sep 2017 09:54:13 +0000

By AARON CHIYANZO

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu, arrives in New York today, for the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) which officially opens on Tuesday, September 19.

World leaders will be gathering at the United Nations headquarters to outline their issues on the role in addressing pressing global challenges and finding lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, climate change and conflict among others in the quest to build a safer and peaceful world for all.

 The theme for the 72nd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is; “Focusing on people: Striving for peace and decent life for all on a sustainable Planet”

Earlier, President Lungu attended the SADC double Troika summit in South Africa and  also held private talks with President Jacob Zuma.

Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Chalwe Lombe said President Lungu will have a busy schedule while in New York as he was expected to address the General Assembly on Tuesday and deliver Zambia’s national statement.

According to a statement issued by First Secretary for Press at Permanent Mission of Zambia to the UN, Wallen Simwaka, Mr Lombe said that the 72nd UNGA was an opportunity for Zambia to advance its foreign policy.

Mr Lombe explained that President Lungu, as the champion against child early and forced marriages will today chair a high level event on Ending Child Early and forced Marriages which is being hosted by the Governments of the Republic of Zambia and Canada, together with UN Women, UNICEF, UNFPA and the African Union (AU).

He said President Lungu would later during the day attend yet another high level meeting on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse at which the member-states will come together to strongly condemn the vice and commit themselves to combating the scourge.

Mr  Lombe also said that the President would on Tuesday evening be among world leaders at a reception to be hosted by US President Donald Trump in recognition of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

He said there would also be held the Commonwealth Heads of State meeting, a Security Council meeting at summit level and many other side events on a number of issues.