PM Kamla leaves for US Monday for UNGA; McLeod to act as PM
The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago travels to New York for a series of events for world leaders.
The Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, will depart Piarco International Airport on Monday 22nd September 2014 for New York to attend the 69th United Nations General Assembly meeting and other events.
On Sunday 28th September, after a week of events in New York, the Prime Minister will travel to Miami for a period of three days.
Among the other events, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar will attend the “Special Session of the International Conference on Population and Development beyond 2014”, where she will deliver a statement at the “Leaders’ Forum on Women Leading the Way: Raising Ambition for Climate Action”.
This event aims to demonstrate women’s leadership on climate action and highlighting gender-responsive actions at all levels. It will also feature voices of women leaders representing youth, grass-roots and indigenous communities, and be an opportunity to position gender equality at the centre of the discussions on climate change and sustainable development in the post-2015 development agenda, in the lead-up to the Beijing+ 20 commemoration next year.
On Tuesday 23rd September, the Prime Minister will speak at another climate related event, the United Nations Climate Summit, which will be hosted by UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon.
The Summit, which seeks to engage leaders and advance climate action and ambition, will facilitate discussions about actions and solutions that are focused on accelerating progress in specific areas that can significantly contribute to reducing emissions and strengthening resilience.
Later that day, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar will sit on a panel with other Heads of State at the High-level Dialogue on “Employment and Decent Work for Inclusive and Sustainable Development”, co-hosted by the ILO and the Ford Foundation.
Trinidad and Tobago, as a destination for investment, will also be high on the agenda during this trip. On Thursday 25th September, the Prime Minister will deliver the keynote address at the Trinidad and Tobago Investment Conference. This event features several sessions throughout the day and will explore existing investment opportunities as well as the potential of economic diversification.
The Prime Minister will be accompanied by several members of the Government – the Minister of Trade, Industry, Investment and Communications, Senator Vasant Bharath, Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development, Senator Bhoendradatt Tewarie and Winston Dookeran, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Rodger Samuel, Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration, will also attend select events as well as Finance Minister, Senator Larry Howai and Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs, Senator Kevin Ramnarine.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will also meet groups of Trinidad and Tobago nationals in recognition of Republic Day at events hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in New York.
On Friday 26th September the Prime Minister attends a cocktail reception and on Saturday 27nd September, she addresses a gala reception and dinner .
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has highlighted on several occasions, Trinidad and Tobago’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.
Errrol Mc Leod, Minister of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development, will act as Prime Minister during the absence of the Prime Minister from Trinidad and Tobago. Prime Minister Persad-Bissesar is expected to return on Wednesday 1st October.
Communications Unit