Mutharika gets 6 ministers on UNGA entrouge: Minister says Malawi leader will come back from US  ‘as he wishes’

President Peter Mutharika leaves the country Friday for the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in the United States of America and  Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Emmanuel Fabiano, has said  six ministers will be part of the entrouge.

Fabiano said this at a news conference  in Lilongwe  that the President will be accompanied by Six Cabinet Ministers from Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare (Dr. Jean Kalilani); Health and Population (Atupele Muluzi); Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development (Francis Kasaila); Home Affairs and Internal Security (Cecilia Chazama); Defence (Everton Chimulirenji) and himself representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

He said all the six ministers will play a crucial role in attending various meetings together with the President and also in their own right representing Malawi for the benefit of the nation.

Fabiano said the ministers  will travel with their Principal Secretaries (PSs) or directr to assist them.

However, Fabiano gave scanty details to journalists when they probed on travel bill and President’s itenary.

When asked about the President’s itenary, including how long  Mutharika will stay in the US,  the Minister responded: “ As regards to the number of days , the President will leave and come back as he wishes.”

In response to media queries about the cost and full delegation list, the minister said each ministry uses own funds and comes up with their own officers to attend the UNGA depending on requirements, referring the media to respective ministries for more details.

According to Fabiano,  President Mutharika will attendthe official opening of the 73rd UNGA on Tuesday by  UN General Secretary, Antonio Guterres.

The General Debate, a session during which Heads of Delegation present their Governments’ views through National statements on any item before the Assembly, will be held from 25th September to 5th October, 2018.

The theme for this year’s General Debate is “Making the United Nations Relevant to all people: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies.”

Fabiano described the 73rd UNGA as a very important meeting that is crucial to Malawi’s development aspirations.

“At a time when the country is experiencing rapid economic growth, it is the expectation of the Malawi Government that the trip to New York, USA, will tap the much-needed resources to further move forward the development aspirations for Malawi,” said Fabiano.

He added that this will be achieved through the President’s meeting with other world leaders and development partners through a number of meetings.

The UNGA 73 will also accord an opportunity to Malawi as a nation to lobby for more investors to come to Malawi and contribute to socio-economic development of the nation.

President Mutharika will also attend a number of bilateral and multilateral meetings that include the High Level Meeting on Global Peace (Nelson Mandela Peace Summit), the United Nations Private Sector Forum, Launch of the Young People’s Agenda (UNICEF), HeforShe Impact Summit, High level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Fight Against Tuberculosis, and the High Level Panel on Migration and Structural Transformation in Africa among other meetings.

Fabiano further disclosed that the President will co-host the UN International Commission on Financial Global Education Opportunity with former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

According to Fabiano, ‘A Leader’s statement will be issued at the end of the High-Level meeting adding that His Excellency the President as Champion on Education will utilize the opportunity to highlight the Government’s efforts in improving education in the country and seek international support in ensuring that all children are afforded an opportunity to good education and a bright future.’

Fabiano added that “every opportunity will be taken to enhance Malawi’s current international cooperation with various partners in a bid to support the country’s development efforts.