Luanda: The Angola Head of State and African Union Chairperson, Joo Louren§o, returned to Luanda on Thursday, after participating in the 80th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, USA. Accompanied by the First Lady, Ana Dias Louren§o, the Head of State received welcome greetings from the Vice-President of the Republic, Esperan§a da Costa, and other members of the Executive Branch at Dr. Ant³nio Agostinho Neto International Airport.
According to Angola Press News Agency, during his stay in New York, Joo Louren§o spoke in the general debate of the major multilateral meeting, where he addressed issues related to international peace and security, climate change, the industrialization of Africa, and the defense of human rights, emphasizing the need for cooperation and solidarity among peoples to face major global challenges. On the sidelines of the Assembly, the Angolan statesman held bilateral meetings with Heads of State and government from different regions, including Sudan’s Prime Minister, Kamil Idris, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Angolan Head of State also met with the President of the World Bank, Ajaypal Singh Banga, to exchange views on issues of common interest. As acting President of the African Union, Joo Louren§o also chaired a meeting of the continental organization’s Peace and Security Council, where he reinforced Angola’s commitment to peace and stability in Africa, highlighting the country’s efforts in mediating crises in the Sahel, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Louren§o participated in the High-Level Debate on the Promotion of the 4th Decade of Industrial Development for Africa, the meeting on the Global Development Initiative, and the International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestine issue and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. The agenda also included participation in the meeting of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the 7th Summit of the Committee of Heads of State and Government of the African Union on the reform of the United Nations Security Council, as well as the United Nations-African Union Dialogue.
Ana Dias Louren§o, on her turn, participated in high-level activities linked to the promotion of gender equality, education, and health, with emphasis on the launch of the OAFLAD continental campaign “Building Resilience for Women and Girls in the Face of Climate Change and Conflict.” The UN General Assembly session, which this year marked the 80th anniversary of the organization’s founding, brought together world leaders under the theme “Better Together: 80 Years and more for Peace, Development and Human Rights.”