By Kondanani Chilimunthaka
President Lazarus Chakwera and Madam Monica Chakwera will leave the country on Friday, 15th September, 2023 for New York in United States of America for the 78th United Nations General Assembly Summit.
According to the Press Release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released on Thursday, 13th September, President Chakwera will address the UNGA on 21st September, 2023 to deliver Malawi national statement.
“Prior to that, he will address the UN Sustainable Development Goals Summit Meeting and the Millennium Challenge Compact Meeting on 18th September, 2023, the Africa Investment Summit Meeting on 19th September, 2023, the Democracy Delivers Summit Meeting on 20th September, 2023, among other activities” Reads in part the Press Release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Further, the statement indicates that President Chakwera will host the Invest in Malawi Business Summit on 18th September, before hosting the Malawi-Partners Conference 2023 on 19th September, where he is expected to call for international support towards Malawi’s efforts to build economic resilience against future exogenous shocks and keep Malawi on track to become a middle-income economy by 2030.
Additionally during the period, President Chakwera is expected to hold bilateral meetings with some other Heads of State and Government, Heads of International Organizations and business leaders geared towards mobilizing resources for Malawi’s post-cyclone reconstruction and recovery as well as private investment, the Press Release has disclosed.
Last year during his address at UNGA, President Chakwera stressed on the point of Leaving No One Behind as UN, in the middle of some countries especially those under the LDCs feeling left farther much behind, saying the philosophy of Leaving No One Behind seems to be an empty promise.
He emphasized on the need to have a reformed UN that practices equality, democracy, and gives equal attention to the interlocking issues of public health, food insecurity, climate change and conflict regardless of where they emerge or whom they affect.
He also among others highlighted his vision to develop Mega Farms in Malawi which he said will be able to feed the whole world and lift millions of farmers out of subsistence living, a vision he is currently fulfilling in Malawi.
President Chakwera and Madam Monica Chakwera are expected to leave the country for New York through Kamuzu International Airport in the afternoon.