Stage set for Uhuru speech in New York

Session at the United Nations General Assembly meeting (PHOTO :Courtesy)

President Uhuru Kenyatta will on Wednesday address the general assembly a day after his colleagues delivered their speeches.

United of America (USA) Donald Trump was among the first global leaders to deliver a statement at the kickoff of the assembly debate on Tuesday at a time when climate change and Universal Health Coverage (UHC), counter-terrorism, blue economy and good governance are some of the global concerns on the table.

According to Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Lazarus Amayo, the Head of State will deliver the national statement on Wednesday afternoon between 3.15 pm and 4.20 pm.

The world leaders will discuss on the acceleration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) unveiled four years ago to be implemented by the year 2030.

For two days, the leaders will tackle SDGs, while tomorrow and Friday, which is the final day, the leader will discuss financing for development and small island development states.

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Monica Juma said the theme of the annual global session is aligned to the country’s national agenda, the Big Four.

“Focus will be on environment, peace and security, climate change and sustainable development,” she said.

Already from previous engagements since Monday, the President has assured the global body that Kenya will continue to give its full support to the SDGs initiative and overall reform process underway at the United Nations (UN).

He reaffirmed his commitment while engaging in sideline talks on counter-terrorism, climate change, Universal healthcare Coverage (UHC) and blue economy.

He linked the agenda to his legacy development projects by 2020 and the Vision 2030. The president is also expected to tackle good governance and share progress on accountability in the use of public funds.