PM Holness attending UN General Assembly in New York

 

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness is attending the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. 

 

The Office of the Prime Minister says Dr. Holness departed the island on Tuesday and will return to Jamaica on Saturday, September 27. 

 

OPM says this gathering of world leaders presents a vital platform for Jamaica to reaffirm its commitment to international cooperation and shared action in confronting global challenges. 

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace Dr. Horace Chang is in charge of the government during the Prime Minister's absence. 

 

The UN says this year's high-level week, which began Monday, highlights the urgency of delivering on the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals and reinvigorating global cooperation. 

 

In his opening remarks, Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres said more than ever before the principles of the UN are under assault. 

 

"As we meet, civilians are targeted and international law trampled in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and beyond. As we meet, poverty and hunger are on the rise as progress on the Sustainable Development Goals falters. As we meet the planet burns with fires, floods and record heat raging through climate chaos. And at the same time we are moving towards a multi-polar world, but without strong multilateral institutions, multi-polarity has its risks, as Europe learned in the First World War. To meet these challenges, we must not only defend the United Nations, we must strengthen it," he urged.