More than 150 world leaders expected to attend UN summit

UNITED NATIONS (PNA/Xinhua) – More than 150 world leaders are expected to attend the upcoming United Nations (UN) sustainable development summit, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told a daily briefing here on Thursday.

“Currently, 154 heads of state or government and 30 ministers are expected to attend the Sustainable Development Summit,” he said. “For the General Debate, 144 heads of state and government and 46 ministers are expected to attend.”

The Sustainable Development Summit is going to be held from Sept. 25 to 27; world leaders are expected to adopt a sustainable development agenda to guide the development of the international community over the next 15 years.

The General Debate is going to start on Sept. 28 and is scheduled to end on Oct. 3.

Dujarric said during the General Debate, 485 meetings, including side events as well as general mandated meetings, are being planned. He also mentioned world leaders will have a number of bilaterals in the UN.

“Although no number of bilaterals planned for this year is available, last year there were 1,321 bilateral meetings and a larger number are expected this year,” he noted. “Those do not include the Secretary-General’s meetings.”

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is expected to have about 230 engagements, including press interactions, bilateral meetings, statements read out to various meetings during the week of the General Debate, he added.