President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the South African delegation to the 79th Session of the United Nations General Debate and High-Level Week (UNGA79) in New York from 21-24 September 2024.

This annual gathering of world leaders is the most important event on the UN calendar, with Heads of State and Government and Heads of International Organisations discussing global challenges and how to address these challenges in the best interest of humanity. 

This year, the African Group presides over the General Assembly, with Mr Philemon Yang, former Prime Minister of Cameroon, elected as President of the 79th Session.

The theme identified by the President of UNGA79 is, “Unity in diversity, for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for everyone everywhere.” 

President Ramaphosa is expected to address the General Assembly on the opening day, Tuesday, 24 September 2024.

Among the issues on which President Ramaphosa will focus on during his engagements in New York include the necessity for the maintenance of international peace and security; the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda; climate change and the upcoming COP29 in Baku; financing for development, and health and pandemic preparedness.

President Ramaphosa will take part in the United Nations Secretary-General’s flagship High-Level Summit of the Future (SoTF) on 22 September 2024, which, at its conclusion, is expected to adopt a Pact for the Future (PFTF).

While in New York, President Ramaphosa will also engage business leaders as part of the drive to attract foreign direct investment for South Africa.

Ministers accompanying the President include Mr Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Ms Maropene Ramokgopa, Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation; Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health; Dr Dion George, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries and Mr Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

On 19 September, with a view to holding consultations on cooperation with African countries, Special Representative of Ukraine for the Middle East and Africa Maksym Subkh held a meeting with Director of the Sub-Saharan Africa Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Vaclav Prašil.

During the consultations, the Czech diplomat was informed about Kyiv’s initiatives in the context of intensifying political dialogue, trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation with African countries. In particular, Maksym Subkh briefed the Czech diplomat about the expansion of Ukraine’s diplomatic presence on the African continent..

For his part, Vaclav Prašil outlined current development of cooperation between official Prague and the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa and the role played by economic diplomacy in this process. The Czech diplomat focused on the key points of the fundamental document for the development of relations with the continent “Engaging in Africa: Czechia’s Strategy”.

The parties discussed possible joint Ukrainian-Czech projects in Africa and mechanisms for their implementation. It was agreed to continue the dialogue on issues of cooperation on African affairs.

During the meeting the ways of cooperation between Ukraine and the Czech Republic in the context of the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula were also discussed, as well as wider involvement of African countries in the Second Peace Summit and the contribution of official Prague to the continuation of the successful implementation of the “Grain from Ukraine” humanitarian initiative.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has by proclamation declared Saturday, September 21, 2024 as International Day of Peace to be observed throughout the Republic as a Working Holiday. According to a Foreign Ministry release, this year’s commemoration will be held under the theme: ” Cultivating the Culture of Peace”, which highlights the responsibility to provide the opportunity for prosperity, peace and partnership through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The observance of the day will also include a call for global ceasefire in situations of conflict and violence in order to enhance the culture of peace and stability. The proclamation urges all citizens, government ministries, autonomous agencies, civil society organizations and private businesses, schools and colleges, places of worship, individuals within the borders to join the New African Research and Development Agency (NARDA) to plan and implement appropriate programs befitting the occasion.

The proclamation is in consonance with the 57th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations unanimously adopted Resolution 55/282, declaring the 21st day of September of each year as the” International Day of peace” and expanding the observance of the day to include a call for global ceasefire in situations of conflict, and nonviolence throughout the world for the duration of the day. It further states that Liberia which is a signatory to the Charter establishing the United Nations on October 24, 1945, with the mandate to save future generations from the scourge of war and promoting peace, has benefited from the peace keeping mission of the World body which has the necessary conditions for sustainable development and economic prosperity.

“The United Nations General Assembly in 1981 proclaimed International Day of Peace to be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideas of Peace both within and among all nations and people as well as to provide global shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences, and to contribute to building a culture of peace,” the proclamation further stated.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Liberia: Executive Mansion.

President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, arrived in the Canadian City of Toronto, to keynote the Liberia Investment Forum 2024, organized through partnership between the National Investment Commission (NIC), through its Trade and Investment Office in Canada, and the QE24 Group of Companies (Liberia).

The President was received at the Toronto Airport by a jubilant group of Liberian Community members in Canada.

Lead organizers of the Forum, Liberia Trade and Investment Representative Jallahqueena Hawa Konneh and QE24 Group CEO Bill Sandy, said the President will pivot investment potentials to the Canadian business community on Thursday, September 19, at the International Conference Center in downtown Toronto.

A lined up Liberian Government functionaries from Liberian sector ministries and agencies, led by National Investment Commission Chairman Jeff Blibo, will take turns.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Liberia: Executive Mansion.