African leaders troop to New York for UN General Assembly
Multiple African leaders have travelled to New York for the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78).
Happening under the theme: “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and the sustainability for all,” the gathering is also expected to focus on various global issues.
Ahead of the high-level General Debate which begins on September 19, African Heads of State and high-level delegations have been arriving in New York.
Some of the leaders who are already in the U.S. include South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kenyan President William Ruto, Senegalese President Macky Sall, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Namibian President Hage Geingob, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi, Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, among others.
The African leaders are expected to further the continent’s push for a review of the global financial system and also continue their quest for climate justice.
UNGA 78 comes amidst various developments across Africa, including military takeovers, natural disasters, conflicts, food shortages and economic concerns.
These are expected to form part of the mainstream and sidebar discussions at the New York gathering.
A statement by Nigeria’s Presidency noted for instance that President Tinubu’s address at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development will encompass several issues, such as sustainable development, climate change, global cooperation, and the imperative to address inequalities and global humanitarian crises.
Already, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has met with the African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat and President Ramaphosa. The meetings touched on the increase in unconstitutional changes of government in Africa, efforts aimed at reforming the international financial system, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa, and accelerating climate action.
