What a historic day, 14 September, 2023, to see off Malawi President Dr Lazarus Chakwera going to United Nations General Assembly with only 35 members of his travelling entourage.

This is complete departure of what Democratic Progressive party (DPP) used to do when ever there are these international events.

Speaking during the departure Chakwera said the trip provides an opportunity to review Sustainable Development Goals.

Said President Chakwera: “This affords us an opportunity to review where we are in terms of the Sustainable Development Goals. Malawi is part of the family of nations that work together in order to see the livelihood of our people uplifted, so we will be looking at these and see where we are so that we can fast tract the provisions of services and making sure that Malawi is on track in terms of the recovery we are involved in.

“Second of all, this UN General Assembly is an opportunity as well to touch base with those closest to us (partners). On the sidelines of this great UN General Assembly we want to focus on Malawi’s reconstruction. So we are looking forward to something that Malawi will benefit from our coming together with people of like minds.”

Chakwera has left the country for New York, USA along Madam Monica Chakwera.

President Chakwera is expectrd to attend the 78th Session of the United Nations General (UNGA) and will among others address the Assembly on 21st September, 2023.

Prior to that, he will address the UN Sustainable Development Goals Summit and Millennium Challenge Compact African Investment Summit meetings, at which he will call for international support towards Malawi’s efforts to build economic resilience against future exogenous shock and keep Malawi on track to become a middle income economy by 2030.

On his departure, President Chakwera was seen off by Vice president Saulos Chilima, cabinet ministers, government officials, traditional and religious leaders among others.