By Cathy Maulidi:
President Lazarus Chakwera has justified his trip to the United Nations General Assembly (Unga) saying his presence in New York is important to the country’s development.
Chakwera was speaking Friday at the Kamuzu International Airport when he was departing for the Assembly whose main meeting commences on September 19, 2023.
According to Chakwera, his presence in New York is important as he has already scheduled meetings with other leaders and organisations that are willing to help Malawi.
“Every nation does require another nation to progress and in view of the fact that I did make a call to development partners for a Malawi development conference, I need to be there.
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“I need to be there because it is important for us not to focus on that which is not doing well but to focus on that which can help us to do well and which is also promising,” Chakwera said.
He said the trip is also important as it accords the country an opportunity to review where it is in terms of Sustainable Development Goals since Malawi is part of the family of nations.
“The assembly will help Malawi check whether it is on track in terms of the recovery [from Cyclone Freddy] that we are involved in.
“It is also an opportunity for us to touch base with those who assist us on the sidelines of this great general assembly. I’m looking forward to something that Malawi will benefit from,” he said.
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The President has proceeded on the trip amid suggestions from some quarters that it would be unwise for him to travel considering the many challenges the country is facing.
Among them, Executive Director for Church and Society of Blantyre CCAP Synod Rev. Master Jumbe alled on the President not to travel but rather attend the assembly via zoom.
“If he has any regard for Malawians who are suffering now then he will not go on this trip. The country is experiencing forex shortage, hunger, economic challenges and many other problems. It will only be proper for him not to travel, instead attend the meeting on zoom,” he said.
Political analyst George Phiri also expressed worry that the President is proceeding on the trip despite many calls asking him not to.
He said Chakwera could have done better by showing that he does care for Malawians who are suffering by not going on the trip.
Chakwera will deliver a Malawi national statement at the assembly on September 21.
The assembly will be 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’.
Among other things, world leaders will be discussing how to transform words into action at the Climate Ambition Summit on the sidelines of the assembly.
