New York, 30 September 2014
President Kutesa and Samura M.W. Kamara, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone
On the last day of the 69th session’s General Debate, H.E. Mr. Sam Kutesa, President of the General Assembly (PGA) met with H.E. Dr. Samura Kamara, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone. Minister Kamara thanked President Kutesa for having convened a plenary session of the General Assembly on the Ebola outbreak and commended his leadership and commitment to support efforts to contain and reverse the outbreak. The President of the General Assembly reiterated his support to and solidarity with the West African countries most affected by the Ebola outbreak, in particular Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, commended their national efforts, as well as the region and the international community. The Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone expressed his gratitude to the international community, the United Nations system, neighbouring countries, and all who are joining the fight against Ebola. President Kutesa and Dr. Kamara also discussed important issues on the agenda of the 69th session of the General Assembly, including the Post-2015 Development Agenda and the reform of the United Nations.
President Kutesa also met with H.E. Mr. Paul Seger, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations in New York. Ambassador Seger briefed the PGA on the Report of an Independent Expert Panel, entitled “Because Process matters: Groundwork for a Reform of Planning and Budgeting at the United Nations”, which will be launched on 1st October 2014 at the United Nations in New York. The report is an initiative of a Support Group composed of nine Member States of the United Nations whose goal is to open the debate and hold informal consultations on the need to reform methods of work on administrative and budgetary issues. The President of the General Assembly commended the Permanent Representative of Switzerland and other Members of the Support Group for their initiative.
Later during the day, the President of the General Assembly delivered a statement at the conclusion of the 69th session’s High-level segment. On 1st October 2014 at 12.30 pm, New York time, the PGA will hold a press briefing focusing on proceedings and deliberations so far in the General Assembly.
