Ramaphosa to attend 79th Session of UN General Assembly

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to lead a South African delegation to the High-Level General Debate of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA79) in the United States of America.

The UNGA79 debate is scheduled to take place at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, from 24 to 30 September 2024, and Ramaphosa will be accompanied by relevant Ministers, advisors and senior officials.

Former Prime Minister of Cameroon Philemon Yang, and also President of the General Assembly, has indicated that his chosen theme for this year’s General Debate will be “Unity in diversity, for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for everyone everywhere.”

The General Debate will be preceded by the UN Secretary-General’s Summit of the Future, set for 22-23 September 2024.

As is customary, the high-level meeting will bring world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how to accelerate the implementation of new and existing global development commitments, and to rebuild trust and deepen international cooperation.

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During the Summit of the Future, Heads of State and Government are expected to adopt the Summit’s outcome document – the Pact for the Future.

Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya revealed that Ramaphosa is expected to deliver his address on the first day of the Summit, which is 22 September 2024.

“The General Debate of the General Assembly will take place from 24-30 September 2024 where President Ramaphosa will deliver his address on the morning of the first day, 24 September 2024,” Magwenya explained.

The president’s spokesperson added that South Africa will use the platform to highlight the importance of strengthening multilateralism and international cooperation in addressing global challenges.

Apart from the General Debate (UNGA79), Ramaphosa will participate in several high-level events, including on the G20 where he will discuss South Africa’s key priorities for its upcoming Presidency of the Group.

He will also hold bilaterals with his counterparts, on the sidelines of the Summit, including the UN Secretary-General and other global leaders, said Magwenya.