Gonsalves addresses UN General Assembly today

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves is expected to address to the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly this morning.{{more}}

Permanent Representative of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) to the United Nations Camillo Gonsalves told SEARCHLIGHT that during his presentation, the Prime Minister is expected to speak of the effects of the global economic and financial meltdown on the Caribbean and the vulnerability of our small states to natural disasters and international economic conditions.

The deepening bonds of”friendship, cooperation and integration” within the Caribbean and Latin America will be mentioned, and SVG is also expected to reiterate support for the Republic of China on Taiwan to be allowed to participate in the specialized agencies of the United Nations.

Tomorrow evening, the Prime Minister will address Vincentians at a town hall meeting in Brooklyn, which will take place at the Friends of Crown Heights Community Centre (617 Park Place), beginning at 7:30 p.m. It is being organized by by the Consulate General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in New York and should be broadcast on radio and streamed online.

The Prime Minister and his delegation arrived in New York last Sunday evening, and this week met with the leaders, foreign ministers and ambassadors of 17 nations, for talks on a number of mutually agreed matters including airport development and training. According to a release from the Prime Minister’s Office, Gonsalves led the talks in meetings with 12 countries. Among the countries with whom meetings were held are Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

Last Monday evening, the Prime Minister attended a reception hosted by the Clinton Global Initiative, followed by a reception hosted by President Barack Obama for world leaders attending the UN General Assembly.

The SVG delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs, Douglas Slater, the Ambassador to the United States, La Celia Prince, and the Ambassador to the UN, Camillo Gonsalves. Prime Minister Gonsalves is being accompanied by his wife Eloise.