For the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, who doubles as the Chairman of the Sierra Leone People’s Party North American (SLPPNA) -Washington DC Metro Chapter, Madam Fatmata Wurie and other Cabinet Members have in a grand style on Tuesday, 12th September 2023 received with gladness the Sierra Leone’s President and his entourage in New York.

Speaking to Madam Fatmata Wurie, she said she has over the years as the Chairman of the SLPPNA-Washington DC Metro Chapter always mobilized her membership to welcome His Excellency President Brigadier (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio to UNGA, but this one is more special because she is serving in a compendious positions.

“It has always been a great pleasure to mobilize members of my Chapter to welcome President Bio to the United States. This one is more special because I am now empowered to be part of the Presidential Entourage from Sierra Leone to attend this year’s United Nations General Assembly, to support and be part of engagements to discuss bilateral trade relationship with potential investors.”

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry furthered that such an opportunity to join other female Cabinet and Deputy Cabinet Ministers to the United Nations General Assembly 2023 is a manifestation of President Julius Maada Bio’s vision and commitment to Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. She commended the President for his visionary leadership and welcome them again to the United States.

While in New York, President Bio will engage in a series of activities including holding bilateral meetings with other Heads of States, business partners, and reputable organizations who have developed interest in working with the government and people of Sierra Leone.

As the Coordinator of the African Union Committee of Ten (10) African Heads of State on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council (C-10), President Bio will be engaging with other world leaders to ensure that the historical injustice of Africa being the only continent absent in the permanent category of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is addressed with utmost urgency. He is currently also the Chair of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and one of the key players in the African Union and ECOWAS, respectively.

HE Bio is also convinced that a greater African representation in the reformed Council, more especially the permanent category of the UNSC, continues to enjoy the broadest support from the majority of the membership and remains a viable option on the reform of the Security Council.

The Sierra Leone’s President will depart New York for the US Capital, Washington DC for similar engagements with his compatriots and other stakeholders.

It could be recalled that on the 6th June 2023, Sierra Leone was elected to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the period 2024-2025. A significant achievement for the country after two and half decades.

It is said that between September 18th and 26th, 2023, His Excellency, President Brigadier (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio will join colleague World Leaders at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.”

According to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), this year’s debate and discussion will be centered on Climate Change, Poverty and food insecurity, Humanitarian needs and Inequality, as they are considered threat to the world’s peace.