Sogavare to speak at UN General Assembly on Saturday after Trump’s ‘vitriolic’ speech

It is being described as one of the most combative speeches in the history of the United Nations – and the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was there to hear it, first hand.

The Solomon Islands PM arrived in New York yesterday for the 72^nd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this week – the scene of US President Trump’s vitriolic speech in which he stated he would “totally destroy” North Korea.

And in a move which has been roundly slated by fellow leaders across the world, the speech failed to mention climate change – a topic of major concern for many rural Solomon Islanders.

The theme of this year’s UN General Assembly is “Focusing on People: striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet.”

Mr Sogavare will deliver the Solomon Islands national statement to the UN General Assembly on Saturday, with SIBC currently in plans to live broadcast the speech. Stay tuned

It is currently unclear what Mr Sogavare plans to speak about, however in the past he has concentrated on climate change and the sovereignty of West Papua; much to the frustration of Indonesia.

Mr Sogavare is accompanied on the trip by Minister of Education and Human Resources Development, John Dean Kuku and Minister for Culture and Tourism, Bartholomew Parapolo and other officials.

He will also engage in other high-level meetings at the margins of the main UNGA debate during which some important political declarations and communiques will be adopted.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Milner Tozaka, who arrived in New York on Sunday ahead of the Prime Minister, will also represent Solomon Islands in other high-level meetings.

Notable among Minister Tozaka’s engagements this week are the annual Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meetings, the G77, LDCs Leaders’ Summit, AOSIS, the PIF/UN Secretary General Meeting and the Pacific Small Islands Developing States meeting.