Senate President, Bukola Saraki, will Monday lead the Nigerian delegation to participate in the 4th United Nations Conference of Parliamentary Heads holding at the organisation’s headquarters in New York, United States.
This year’s conference which will be declared open by the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, will feature presentation of reports and general debate on “placing democracy at the service of peace and sustainable development.”
Other issues billed for debate include ‘Challenges facing Parliaments today’, ‘Parliamentary Oversight: challenges and opportunities ‘, while Saraki , according to statement issued by the Special Adviser to Senate President on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, is expected to participate in a multi-lateral meeting to be hosted by the Speaker of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset), Mr. Yuli-Yoel Edelstein.
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) and selected Heads of Parliaments (GLOBE International Representation) are also expected to meet on the sidelines during the conference.
The Senate President is billed to address the session of the world forum on Wednesday September 2 and later hold a press conference immediately after the speech. He is also billed to hold bilateral talks with the heads of delegation of China, Germany, France and United Kingdom.
Saraki is accompanied on the trip by Senators Andy Uba, Shehu Sani and Dino Melaye. Others on the entourage include Special Adviser to the Senate President on Economic Matters, Dr. Uchendu Okoye, and Special Assistant on Public Partnerships.
The Senate President and his team departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for New York, Saturday, ahead of the conference which begins on Monday. The conference is scheduled to end on Wednesday, September 3.
