Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar arrived in Manhattan, New York this morning to attend the 69th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting and other events. Labour Minister Errol McLeod is acting as Prime Minister until Persad-Bissessar returns on October 1.
During her seven-day stay Persad-Bissessar would attend the Special Session of the International Conference on Population and Development beyond 2014, where she would deliver a statement at the Leaders’ Forum on Women Leading the Way: Raising Ambition for Climate Action. Tomorrow, the Prime Minister would speak at the United Nations Climate Summit, expected be hosted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.
Later that day, Persad-Bissessar would sit on a panel with other heads of state at a high-level dialogue on the theme Employment and Decent Work for Inclusive and Sustainable Development, co-hosted by the ILO and the Ford Foundation. Other topics which the PM is expected to address includes “First Ladies” Global Action Conference of Women and Girls’ Financial Health.
On Thursday, she is expected to deliver the keynote address at the T&T Investment Conference also taking place in New York. This event features several sessions throughout the day and would explore existing investment opportunities as well as the potential of economic diversification, an official from of the Office of the Prime Minister said.
The official said Persad-Bissessar has highlighted on several occasions, this country's desire to host the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Secretariat. “As such, the Trinidad and Tobago delegation is looking forward to 50 countries ratifying the Arms Trade Treaty and thereby allowing it to come into effect,” the official added.
Who’s on the trip
Persad-Bissessar would be accompanied by several government ministers including the Minister of Trade, Industry, Investment and Communications Vasant Bharath, Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development, Bhoendradatt Tewarie and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Dookeran. Rodger Samuel, Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration, will also attend select events as well as Finance Minister Larry Howai and Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs Kevin Ramnarine.
Also on the PM’s itinerary
During her visit, the Prime Minister would also meet groups of T&T nationals in recognition of Republic Day at events hosted by the T&T Consulate General in New York. After the week-long events in New York, Persad-Bissessar would travel to Miami for three days. There, she is expected to address a gala reception and dinner hosted by the Consulate General in Miami to celebrate T&T as a republic.
