The President of the 76th session of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, met on 18 August 2022 with H.E Mrs. Edite do Ramos da Costa Ten-Juan, Minister of Foreign Affairs in São Tomé and Príncipe.
H.E Mrs. Edite do Ramos da Costa Ten-Juan expressed the continued support of São Tomé and Príncipe to the Presidency of Hope and the priorities identified by President Shahid for the 76th session. She reiterated São Tomé and Príncipe’s priorities of multilateralism and engagement in the work of the United Nations.
The Foreign Minister highlighted some of the challenges in graduating to a middle-income country, which is expected in 2024. She also noted that São Tomé and Príncipe has a high percentage of young people and the demand on the government to ensure decent jobs and sustainable development.
The President of the General Assembly thanked the Minister for the warm hospitality in São Tomé and Príncipe and for the continued support to the Presidency of Hope. He commended São Tomé and Príncipe’s commitment to sustainable development and the fight against climate change. He commended the country’s continued commitment to multilateralism and contribution in addressing various global challenges.
On the issue of graduating to a middle-income country, the President briefed the Minister on the ongoing work on the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index for SIDS. He mentioned that the MVI process will be completed before the end of December 2022.
The President also noted the upcoming COP27 in Egypt, and the importance of bringing strong commitments to the international conference on climate change.
The meeting also touched on COVID recovery and the importance of revitalizing sustainable tourism, gender equality, and UNCTs support to the upcoming elections slated for 25 September.
The meeting took place in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sao Tome, São Tomé and Príncipe.
18 August 2022
