UN’s Kutesa holds talks with Uganda, Egypt and Somalia

NEW YORK – The President of the General Assembly (PGA) Sam Kahamba Kutesa has held talks with Egypt’s foreign affairs minister Sameh Shoukry in New York, USA.

The two discussed key issues on the agenda of the 69th session, including the Post-2015 Development Agenda, financing for development, revitalization of the UN General Assembly, and reform of the Security Council.

They also exchanged views on international and regional issues.

Kutesa and Shoukry both stressed the urgency to intensify the fight against terrorism and intolerance and underscored the need to address the current profound and complex challenges, including the rise of radicalization and violent extremism that the world is facing.

Kutesa (left) meets Sameh Shoukry of Egypt. (Photo credit: PGA Office)

The UN leader also met with Abdusalam Hadiye Omer, who is Somalia’s minister of foreign affairs and investment promotion.

Briefing the Kutesa on the situation and reconstruction efforts in Somalia, the minister expressed his appreciation for the UN’s commitment and the international community’s intervention in his country.

He also underlined the fact that despite the many challenges Somalia is facing, major positive changes have been made and that the government is making every effort to ensure political inclusiveness and economic rehabilitation, while reinforcing security and stability.

On his part, Kutesa reiterated the support of the General Assembly for ongoing efforts to achieve peace, stability, reconstruction and sustainable development in Somalia.

The President of the General Assembly also had a meeting with Uganda’s minister of tourism, wildlife and antiquities Maria Mutagamba.

Here, they discussed priorities of the 69th session, as they relate to tourism, wildlife and the preservation of cultural antiquities.

PGA Sam Kutesa (centre) met with Ugandan tourism minister Maria Mutagamba (left). (Photo credit: PGA Office)

Briefing the minister on the 13th UN Crime Congress he attended earlier in April in Doha, Qatar, Kutesa highlighted the Special High-Level event on wildlife that was held on the sidelines of the Congress, during which he underscored the importance of addressing wildlife and forest crime within the context of crime prevention and criminal justice.

Kutesa and Mutagamba emphasized the need to implement existing international legal instruments and commitments and further enhance international coordination to combat the illegal trade in wildlife.

The meeting was also attended by Ambassador Patrick Mugoya, permanent secretary in Uganda’s tourism ministry.