NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS

ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT TO TRAVEL TO SWEDEN AND RWANDA

United Nations, New York, 4 May 2018 – The President of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, will visit Sweden on 7 May, and Rwanda on 8 May.

In Stockholm, Sweden, the President will deliver the keynote address at the 2018 Stockholm Forum on Peace and Development, which will be co-hosted by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. He will also participate in a panel discussion at the Forum, entitled: “The Urgency and Logic of Investing in Violent Conflict Prevention.”

While in Stockholm, the President is expected to meet bilaterally with Swedish officials, including H.E. Isabella Lövin, Minister for Development Cooperation and Climate and Vice Prime Minister, and H.E Margot Wallström, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In Kigali, Rwanda, the President will address the Transform Africa Summit, which will be held under the theme “Accelerating Africa’s Single Digital Market.” He also expects to hold bilateral meetings with Rwandan officials, and visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa.

The President will travel to Sweden with his Special Assistant and Political Coordinator, Ms. Lenka Miháliková; his Spokesperson, Mr. Brenden Varma; and his Adviser, Ms. Laura Schweizer.

In Rwanda, 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, with some support on the ground being provided by the Governments of Sweden and Rwanda.

The President will be back in New York on 9 May.

***

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.