The annual General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly is the occasion for world leaders to gather at UN Headquarters to discuss global issues.

As Coordinator of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government (C-10) on the reform of the United Nations Security Council, President Bio is expected to tell the General Assembly that that: “Unless we are able to contend with the reform of the Security Council, the most critical question of the day, our organisation will still be locked into promoting undemocratic and discriminatory principles”.

This is his maiden attendance at the UNGA since his election in April as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. During the high-level General Debate, which starts Tuesday, 25 September, President Bio is also expected to deliver a very powerful statement highlighting his key commitments and priorities of his new Government.

President Bio is also expected to attend a series of events on the margins of the UNGA and will honour an invitation from Bill Gates to serve as a special guest and speaker at the second annual Goalkeepers event. Its inaugural event invited President Barack Obama as a special guest and speaker last year. He is scheduled to attend a high-level event organised by the George Soros Open Society Foundations, an international grantmaking network that financially supports civil society groups around the world to advance justice, education, public health and independent media.

Whilst in the United States of America, President Bio will also address Sierra Leoneans in a Town Hall Meeting as part of his commitment to open government and public accountability.

“During the elections campaign, President Bio promised that if elected President, he would visit the United States of America. Again, he promised the people and he has delivered on that promise. On the world’s stage, this visit will also showcase President Bio as one of the young, progressive and vibrant emerging leaders in Africa,” says Yusuf Keketoma Sandi, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman.