UNITED NATIONS, New York, 21 February 2020 – The President of the UN General Assembly, H.E. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande will travel to Geneva, Switzerland on Saturday, 22 February 2020, to participate in the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council.

This is the first official visit of H.E. Muhammad-Bande to Geneva since his inauguration as President of the 74th session of the General Assembly. 

During the visit, the President is expected to highlight the important linkage between human rights and the priorities of the 74th session.

On Monday, February 24, the President is expected to address the Human Rights Council during the opening session of the 43rd session of the council. H.E. Muhammad-Bande will also participate in the annual High-Level panel discussion on the Mainstreaming of Human Rights, with the theme, ‘Thirty years of implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: challenges and opportunities.’

The President will meet with Ms. Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger, President of the Human Rights Council as well as Ms. Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights. He will also visit the headquarters of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) where he will meet with the Director-General, Mr. Guy Ryder, and Experts.

On Tuesday, February 25, H.E. Muhammad-Bande will meet with Mr. Eamon Gilmore, EU, Special Representative for Human Rights as well as Ms. Issabella Durant, Deputy Secretary-General of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

The President will be accompanied by his Deputy Chef de Cabinet Jerobeam Shaanika, Senior Advisers Zainab Zakari-Awami and Alexandre Stutzmann, his Special Assistant Muyiwa Waheed Onifade, Adviser Tiamiyu Prudence Arobani and Administrative Assistant Meriem Heddache.

H.E. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande and members of his delegation will depart Geneva on Wednesday 26 February 2020.

Travel costs will be covered by the Regular Budget of the Office of the President of the General Assembly.

 

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Tiamiyu Prudence Arobani

tiamiyu.arobani@un.org