Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 20 September 2014: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma arrived in New York, United States on 20 September 2014 heading the African Union Commission delegation to attend the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly from September 20 to 25, 2014.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma was welcomed at the JFK International airport by H.E Ambassador Antonio Tete, AU’s Permament Representative to the United Nations.

The central theme for this year’s UN General Assembly meeting is “Implementing a transformative post-2015 Agenda.” Questions of development will remain at the heart of the discussions during this session, though a number of high level meetings are will be taking place in the sidelines.

The AUC Chairperson will attend the special Summit on Climate change convened by the UN Secretary General H.E. Ban Ki-moon; a Special Summit on terrorism; the World Conference on Indigenous People; the fourth High Level Meeting of the regional oversight Mechanism for Peace, Security and Cooperation Framewor; and other high level meetings.

A session will be dedicated to discussing the Ebola Virus Disease currently affecting at least three countries of the West African sub-region. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission will address the gathering providing updates of the situation, what the AU has done and what it is currently doing to halt the spread of the disease. The session will also be addressed by delegations from the affected countries.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma and the AUC delegation will also participate in other important gatherings including: the 2nd Japan-Africa Regional Economic Communities Summit roundtable; Africa-South America Partnerhsips; Coordination Committee of the Africa-Arab Partnersship; and Political Consultations between Chinese and African Foreign Ministers (FOCAC), amongst others.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma will on Sunday 21 September 2014 meet with UN Secretary General H.E. Ban Ki-Moon at UN Headquarters to discuss issues of peace and security, with some focus on the Ebola virus disease and the recent re-hatting of the AU peacekeepers in Bangui, Central African Republic.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma is also expected to hold a series of other bilateral meetings in the margins of the UN General Assembly meeting.

The AU Commission delegation is composed of the Deputy Chairperson, the Commissioner for Peace and Secuirty; the Commissioners for Political Affairs; Commissioner for Economic Affairs, the Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology; the Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, as well as the Chief of Staff, Advisors and officers. JEE/wzm

Media Contact:
Jacob Enoh Eben,
Spokesperson of the Chairperson
African Union Commission
Email: EnohebenJ@africa-union.org
Cell: +1 202 751 8517