‘37 delegates’ to join Lazarus Chakwera for UNGA
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nancy Tembo Friday re-affirmed that President Lazarus Chakwera will attend the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly slated from September 13- 27 September, 2022 in New York.
Tembo told journalists in Lilongwe that among critical meetings, Chakwera would speak on behalf of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), hold bilateral talks with the government of the United States of America where he is expected to sign a second compact with Millennium Challenge Corporation that would help alleviate poverty in the country.
“For us, this is a very important gathering. It is worth it because it is this engagement that brings yields to Malawi. He has attended virtual meetings but this is a critical time in Malawi when we have challenges and we need to engage partners, development partners and multilateral institutions to help us,” she said.
She added that Chakwera would be accompanied by officials from her ministry, education, health and natural resources. He is also expected to make a statement on behalf of Malawi.
“The last trip that H.E made to the US he had meetings with Usaid and various officials that culminated in the visit that Miss Samantha Power made to Malawi where she made an announcement of huge commitment. For us, contact is important because you can negotiate your way easily,” she said.
Tembo said as part of the austerity measures, 37 delegates would accompany the president, and officials would return immediately upon completion of their duties.
“The list stands to be trimmed further as we get closer to the departure time. We will have a report of everything. I cannot be able to say everything now,” she said.
Minister of Education Agnes NyaLonje added that Chakwera is expected to attend an education summit critical to the education sector.
This is the first time for Chakwera to physically attend the general assembly since he was elected as president in 2020. For the past two meetings, Chakwera has been participating in the general assembly virtually due to Covid-19.
The assembly will debate on the theme “A Watershed moment: Transformative solutions to interlocking challenges”
