ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- An Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has left for New York to participate in the 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly.
The high level open debate on the reform of UN peacekeeping is one of Ethiopia's signature events during the east African country's presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the month of September.
According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hailemariam, due to arrive in New York late on Monday, will preside over the High-Level Debate on Reform of United Nations Peacekeeping on Wednesday, 20 September.
The Ethiopian delegation is expected to meet with heads of state and government of different countries and discuss issues of mutual interest, the ministry said in a statement issued on Monday.
The Assembly started to convene at UN Headquarters in New York on September 12, while the General Debate will open on September 19 under the theme: "Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet."
Hailemariam is also expected to take part on various sideline meetings that have a wide range of focus from peace and security to climate change and sustainable development matters, the ministry said in a statement issued on Monday.
Meles Alem, Spokesperson of Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), told Xinhua recently that Ethiopia in its presidency of the UNSC for the month of September mainly focuses on resolution of conflicts in Somalia, South Sudan and the Great Lakes region.
As part of the plan, the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) and the UN Security Council held their joint 11th consultative meeting in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on September 7 to 8.
