9/24/2007

PRESIDENT SPEARHEADS LANKA'S PROACTIVE CAMPAIGN:

Climate Change, development financing and counter-terrorism strategies will figure prominently in this year's annual general debate of the UN, for which world leaders have begun converging on this bustling metropolis.

Among the world leaders attending the 62nd sessions of the UN is President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who arrived here on Saturday. The 62nd session is being chaired by Dr. Srgjan Kerim, a former foreign minister of Macedonia.

The general debate will continue till October 3.

Management reforms and follow-up action on the Millennium Development Goals are also slated for debate, in addition to Security Council reforms, revitalisation of the General Assembly and HIV/AIDS.

President Rajapaksa will be among the first few speakers on the opening day of the General Debate on September 25.

Sri Lanka has pledged to play a vital role in this year's General Assembly, especially with regard to counter-terrorism, UN reforms and development. He will hold talks with UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon after his speech.

The President has a hectic schedule for Monday as well, the highlight being his address to the UN High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change titled "Financing the response to climate Change investing in tomorrow." Environment Minister Champika Ranawaka will also speak.

He is also expected to meet several Heads of State and senior officials of the UN system, including Iceland's President Olafur Gimsson and UN World Food Programme Executive Director Josette Sheeran.

On Tuesday, before delivering the speech, he will have bilateral talks with the Iranian and Palestinian Presidents. He will engage in religious observances at the New York Buddhist Vihara in the afternoon.

Sri Lanka's permanent representative to the UN ambassador Prasad Kariyawsam will host a reception in honour of the President and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa on Monday night.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama will also have several meetings with his counterparts from various countries on the sidelines of the UN sessions.

Media Minister Anura Priyadharsana Yapa, Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona and several senior officials are also accompanying the President.

Unprecedented security measures have been implemented in and around the UN and the hotels where VVIP guests are staying, in a combined operation by the Secret Service, New York Police Department and the other law enforcement agencies.

Security at airports has also been enhanced and several roads will be closed to normal traffic during the next few days.

Journalists have poured into New York from around the world to cover the UN Summit which will be attended by high-level representatives from the 192 Member States.

Courtesy - Daily News