The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which opened on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, will on today, September 19, enter its General Debate stage, with the President of the Republic of Liberia, George M. Weah, addressing the high-level forum on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.
The General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly will be held from September 19 to September 26, 2023, providing the opportunity for Heads of State and government to come together at the UN Headquarters and discuss world issues.
This year’s General Assembly as well as the General Debate are being held 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 Sustainability for All”. It is being presided over by His Excellency Dennis Francis, Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations, New York. Francis was elected as President of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly by acclamation on June 1, 2023.
President Weah is expected to address the assembly on the progress and challenges that Liberia faces in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and highlight issues of international concern.
The Liberian leader departed Monrovia on Thursday, September 14, 2023 and arrived in Manhattan, New York on Sunday, September 17, 2023 to join his counterparts at the UNGA’s General Debate. This is his sixth time participating in the event, and this year will mark his final participation during his first tenure as President of Liberia.
It is anticipated that the President, in addition to addressing the assembly, will use the opportunity of the side events to engage his counterparts about moral and financial support for the development of his country.
At the same time, there are speculations that President Weah may inform his foreign counterparts about his re-election and seek their support in his endeavor.
According to information, President Weah is expected to cut-short his stay in the United States in order to continue his campaign trail to the leeward parts of the country, as the October 10, 2023 general and presidential elections are only a few weeks away.