The President of the Seventy-third Session of the United Nations General Assembly, H. E. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, will be in Ghana on an official visit from Wednesday, May 8 – Saturday May11, 2019. The visit seeks to strengthen political support and cooperation with the United Nations General Assembly.

While in Ghana, Ms. Espinosa will hold bilateral meetings with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Speaker of the Parliament, Rt. Hon. Prof. Aaron Mike Ocquaye, and the Leadership of Parliament the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (MP), the High-Level Ministerial Committee on SDGs, representatives of civil society and UN officials. She will also pay a courtesy call on the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in Manhyia, Kumasi

Her visit will highlight Ghana’s leadership role and support for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and emphasize the importance of strengthening the multilateral system as the best option for responding to global crises and challenges.

She will address the role of parliaments in building political will for the implementation of global commitments crucial for effective responses to climate change, maintenance of peace and security, the changing world of work and strengthening of social protection systems, reducing inequalities, among others, to achieve the SDGs. The President will use the opportunity also to acknowledge the support of Ghana to the Office of the President of the General Assembly.

The theme of the current session of the United Nations General Assembly is (https://www.un.org/en/ga/) “Making the UN Relevant to All; Global Leadership and shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies.”



A key approach for the presidency of H.E. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés is to ensure that the UN is inclusive and relevant to all. In that regard, the 7 priority areas of work are Decent Work, Persons with Disability, Gender Equality, Environmental Action, Migration and Refugees, Revitalization of the UN and Youth, Peace & Security.

H. E. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés is expected to visit historical sites including the Cape- Castle and the Kumasi Cultural Centre.