– will then travel to NY for UN General Assembly next week
President Dr Irfaan Ali is presently in Mexico where he will attend the Sixth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) which is scheduled for today.
President Irfaan Ali and Foreign Minister of Mexico Marcelo Ebrard
The Guyanese Head of State is accompanied by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd. The Guyanese delegation arrived in Mexico on Friday and were welcomed by Foreign Minister of Mexico Marcelo Ebrard.
CELAC is a regional bloc of 33 Latin American and Caribbean states. The organisation aims to unite all of the Latin American and Caribbean states in order to strengthen the political, social and cultural integration of the region.
It also hopes to improve the region’s quality of life, stimulate its economic growth, and advance the well-being of all of its people. CELAC is a successor of the Rio Group and CALC.
However, after attending the summit, President Ali will travel to New York to attend the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly next week.
The 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 76) opened on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. On that day, Abdulla Shahid of the Maldives was sworn in as the General Assembly President and he opened the 76th session.
President Irfaan Ali upon arriving in Mexico on Friday
The first day of the high-level General Debate will be Tuesday, September 21, 2021. The General Debate will take place from Tuesday, September 21, to Monday, September 27, 2021, including Saturday, September 25.
Due to the global pandemic, the size of delegations allowed into the General Assembly Hall will be limited, and UN Member States were encouraged to provide pre-recorded statements in lieu of travelling to UN Headquarters. Over 100 Heads of State or Government are expected to attend in person.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips will perform duties as President of Guyana
The UN General Assembly is the main policy-making organ of the United Nations.
Meanwhile, in his absence, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips was on Friday sworn in to perform the functions of the President of Guyana by Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards.
The ceremony took place at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), moments after President Ali departed the country on official duties.
