Prime Minister Visits the United States for the United Nations General Assembly

(21/09/2012)

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will visit the United States from 23 to 29 September 2012 for the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, to be held in New York. The Prime Minister will be accompanied by several Cabinet members, namely Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri, and Industry Minister M.R. Pongsvas Svasti. Members of the private sector will also join this trip, which also aims to restore confidence in Thailand and promote the country’s trade and investment. The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the United Nations. Comprising all 193 Members of the United Nations, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the United Nations Charter. The theme for the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly is “Bringing about adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations by peaceful means.” Prime Minister Yingluck will deliver a speech, with an emphasis on Thailand’s guidelines for sustainable development, the country’s progress in developing women’s potential, and its active role in the international arena. She will also meet and hold talks with Myanmar President Thein Sein and Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during the session. The Prime Minister will join other events, held in parallel with the session, such as those under the Every Woman Every Child campaign, initiated by the United Nations Secretary-General to improve the health of women and children around the world. She will raise the issues of Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage project and the National Development Fund for Women in her speech at this event. The Prime Minister has been invited to give a keynote address on Thailand and the Southeast Asian region at the Asia Society. She will open the Thai Restaurant Week in New York, organized by the Ministry of Commerce in response to the Government’s policy to develop Thailand as the “Kitchen of the World.” Then the Prime Minister will give an opening speech at a seminar "The State of the Thai Economy” in order to boost the Thai economy, especially in the fields of finance and the capital market. She will open the Executive Luncheon Meeting, organized by the Ministry of Industry and the Board of Investment. Members of the Thai private sector and American investors will participate in this meeting. Prime Minister Yingluck will also visit Highline Park and Grand Central Station in order to study New York City planning, management system, and security maintenance. She will meet and exchange views with Mr. Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City, who is recognized for his success in both business and city administration. The Prime Minister will provide an opportunity for members of the American media from the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, to interview her.