(New York, September 20, 2018) The Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations His Excellency Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr. on Thursday, September 20, presented his Letters of Credence to the Secretary-General of the United Nations His Excellency António Guterres, at a ceremony held at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Ambassador Kemayah expressed appreciation to the Secretary General for the opportunity to grant him audience three days after he arrived in New York despite his busy schedule for the 73rd General Assembly.
The Liberian Chief Diplomat assured the Secretary-General of the Country’s commitment to constructively engage the United Nations to achieve its mandate. ” We look forward towards working with you in ensuring that the mandate of the UN is realized, which on the overall is the sustenance of global peace”. Ambassador Kemayah emphasized.
Receiving the Letters of Credence, Secretary-General Guterres expressed appreciation for the efforts to consolidate the peace and promote sustainable Development in Liberia.
A dispatch from Liberia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations quotes Secretary General Guterres as saying that ” Liberia has a special place in his heart and could count on the United Nations for its full support and cooperation” as it strives to sustain the peace.
The UN Boss also recounted and appreciated the role His Excellency President George Manneh Weah played in promoting the goals of the UN when he served as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and look forward to continuously engaging him as President.
Meanwhile, the African Group of Ambassadors to the United Nations has endorsed Ambassador Kemayah as the Chair of the Fourth Committee of the United Nations.
In January of this year, Liberia under the representation of former Permanent Representative Lewis Garseedah Brown, II had received the endorsement of the African Group of Ambassadors to the United Nations, to chair the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly during the 73rd Session. There were concerns that the change of Ambassadors could result to Liberia forfeiting the chance.
Ambassador Kemayah who expressed excitement about the endorsement, attributed it to the collective efforts made by the staff of the Mission to ensure that Liberia did not lose the seat as a result of the transition.
Formally referred to as the Special Political and Decolonization Committee of the General Assembly, the Fourth Committee is one of six main committees of the UN General Assembly. It considers a broad range of issues including decolonization, review of peacekeeping operations and special political missions, relief for Palestinian refugees, atomic radiation, assistance in mine action, as well as the peaceful uses of outer space.
The formal election of Ambassador Kemayah by the entire membership of the General Assembly of the United Nations is scheduled for October 4 during the opening of the main session of the 4th Committee. With the full endorsement of the African Group, Ambassador Kemayah is expected to be elected unopposed.
The last time Liberia chaired the Fourth committee was at the 1961 Session of the General Assembly when the Committee was chaired by Ambassador Angie Elisabeth Brooks.
From Vivian Gartayn Lombeh, Minister Counselor/Press and Public Affairs -Liberia Permanent Mission to the United Nations /Tel: (212) 6871033/1034 Email: vlombeh@pmun.gov.lr
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