By Burnett Munthali
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has departed from Washington DC, United States of America, after attending the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The Malawi leader was seen off at Dulles International Airport by Malawi’s Ambassador to the US, Justice Esme Chombo, Brigadier General Nyamali, and other officials from both the Malawian and US governments.
During his time in New York, President Chakwera attended several high-profile meetings, including the Summit of the Future and the high-level meeting on the Miombo Forest Declaration. He also delivered a key statement during the UNGA’s general debate, seeking to mobilize global support for Malawi’s developmental priorities.
In his address, President Chakwera stressed the importance of a collective approach to tackling the pressing challenges faced by Malawi and other developing countries. His speech called for global solidarity and cooperation in addressing these issues.
While in the US, the President engaged in bilateral discussions with various heads of state and leaders of international organizations to strengthen Malawi’s diplomatic relations and economic partnerships. Among the dignitaries he met were the Presidents of Latvia, Ireland, and Kenya, as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
One of the major highlights of the President’s visit was hosting the second Malawi Partners Conference 2024. This conference gathered global figures and investors to discuss long-term solutions to food security issues in Malawi. Attendees included Mozambican President Felipe Nyusi and African Development Bank (AFDB) President Akinwumi Adesina, who announced a grant of K95 billion to Malawi. Of this amount, K1 billion is earmarked for the purchase of food for people affected by hunger, through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs.
In Washington DC, President Chakwera held meetings with leaders of key financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and USAID, where he expressed his gratitude for their unwavering support to Malawi.
The 79th session of UNGA was held under the theme: “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for present and future generations.”
Credit: Malawi Government.
