President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to lead a delegation to the High-Level General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly (UNGA79) in the United States of America.
The High-Level General Debate of the UNGA79 is scheduled to take place at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, from 24 to 30 September 2024.
The President is expected to be accompanied by relevant Ministers, advisors and senior officials.
“It is the African Group’s turn to preside over the General Assembly and the 79th Session will be led by Philemon Yang, former Prime Minister of Cameroon who was elected as the President of the 79th Session,” Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said on Wednesday.
As President of the General Assembly (PGA79), Yang has indicated that his chosen theme for this year’s General Debate will be “Unity in diversity, for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for everyone everywhere.”
The General Debate will be preceded by the UN Secretary-General’s Summit of the Future set for 22-23 September 2024. The high-level meeting will bring world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how to accelerate the implementation of new and existing global development commitments, and to rebuild trust and deepen international cooperation.
During the Summit of the Future, Heads of State and Government are expected to adopt the Summit’s outcome document, the Pact for the Future.
“President Ramaphosa is expected to deliver his address on the first day of this Summit, on 22 September 2024.
“The General Debate of the General Assembly will take place from 24-30 September 2024 where President Ramaphosa will deliver his address on the morning of the first day, 24 September 2024,” Magwenya explained.
The General Debate will provide a platform for South Africa to highlight the importance of strengthening multilateralism and international cooperation in addressing global challenges.
The President and Ministers attending will undertake several engagements focusing on economic diplomacy initiatives. This as part of the President’s overall investment drive to attract foreign investment into South Africa to support efforts and create opportunities to address challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality.
Apart from the General Debate (UNGA 79), the President will participate in several high-level events, including on the G20 where he will highlight South Africa’s key priorities for its upcoming Presidency of the Group.
The President will also hold bilaterals with his counterparts, including the UN Secretary-General and other global leaders. -SAnews.gov.za
