President of the United Nations General Assembly to make Official Visit
To the Cook Islands in Attendance of the Pacific Islands Forum
4-7 November 2023
New York, 2 November 2023 – The President of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA), His Excellency Mr. Dennis Francis, will undertake an official visit to Rarotonga, Cook Islands, from 4-7 November to attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). He will join Heads of State and Government from the Pacific Islands, as well as ‘Dialogue Partners’[1], to discuss challenges and opportunities peculiar to Small Island Developing States.
The PGA will take the opportunity of the visit to champion the plight of Small Island States (SIDS) and other vulnerable coastal regions impacted by sea-level rise. This builds upon the Breakfast Summit on addressing the existential threats posed by sea-level rise, which PGA was a lead co-host on the side-lines of the High-Level Week in September 2023, as well as the Informal Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly, which PGA will convene on Friday, 3 November.
The PGA’s focus on sea-level rise and countries in vulnerable situations is one of the key priorities of his Presidency during the 78th Session of the General Assembly. He has committed to work with world leaders to ensure that this issue is given priority attention in the global agenda. The PGA will therefore be taking his key messages to the Pacific Island Forum, as well as the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, which he also plans to participate.
Among other engagements while in Rarotonga, the PGA will address the Official Opening Session of the Forum and participate in the inauguration of the Pacific Partnerships for Prosperity Pavilion. He will also hold a bilateral meeting with the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, His Excellency Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, as well as a series of separate bilateral meetings with heads of delegation of the PIF member states and Dialogue Partners. Furthermore, PGA will participate in the meeting of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group and hold discussions with leaders from SIDS.
These engagements will provide an invaluable opportunity for the PGA and participating leaders to address a range of pressing global and regional issues, including climate change and its worsening impacts, sustainable socio-economic development, gender equality, and efforts to support peace and security.
The PGA will be accompanied by a Special Adviser, a Sustainable Development Adviser, and a Communications Adviser. The PGA and his delegation will return to New York on Wednesday, 8 November. Travel costs of the OPGA team are covered by the OPGA Trust Fund.
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Mr. Carl Mercer, Communications Team Lead, travelling with President Francis: carl.mercer@un.org Ms. Carolina Nazzaro, Media Relations Adviser: carolina.nazzaro@un.org
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[1] The Pacific Island Forum currently recognises 21 dialogue partners: Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Cuba, European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Republic of Türkiye, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
[1] The Pacific Island Forum currently recognises 21 dialogue partners: Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Cuba, European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Republic of Türkiye, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
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