NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS

ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT TO TRAVEL TO BRAZIL AND COLOMBIA

United Nations, New York, 14 March 2018 – The President of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, will visit Colombia from 15 to 17 March, and Brazil from 18 to 19 March.

In Bogotá, the President is expected to meet with Colombian officials, including the President of the Republic, H.E. Mr. Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ms. María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, as well as representatives of the United Nations Country Team and United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. President Lajčák will also participate alongside President Santos in the launch of Colombia’s national strategy for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.

While in Colombia, the President will travel to the western part of the country to visit a United Nations interagency project, which works to build peace and support sustainable development through strengthening local leadership and food security.

In Brasilia, the President will address the 8th World Water Forum. He is also expected to meet the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, H.E. Mr. Michel Temer; the Minister for External Relations, H.E. Mr. Aloysio Nunes; and the United Nations Country Team.

The President will travel to Colombia with his Special Assistant and Political Coordinator, Ms. Lenka Miháliková; his Spokesperson, Mr. Brenden Varma; and his Senior Adviser, Ms. Elif Çalışkan.

In Brazil, the President will be accompanied by Ms. Miháliková; Mr. Varma; and his Senior Adviser, Mr. Mateus Luemba

Travel costs will be covered by the Trust Fund of the Office of the President of the General Assembly.

The President will be back in New York on 20 March.

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For media inquiries, please contact

Brenden Varma, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, 1-212-963-7238, 1-347-556-3433, varmab@un.org.