Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller arrived in New York today (Monday, September 24) for a week of official engagements which will including an address to the United Nations on Thursday in which she will deliver Jamaica’s policy statement to the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly. Prime Minister Simpson Miller’s address at the United Nations comes against the background of the achievement on September 18 of Jamaica’s 50th year as a member of the international organisation.

During her official visit to New York the Prime Minister will attend the opening of the UN General Debate, hold bilateral talks, meet and hold discussions with officials of the Inter-American Development Bank, participate in a meeting between UN Secretary General Bank Ki-moon and Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); and attend the launch and plenary session of the Hillary Clinton Equal Futures Partnership, a global initiative by United States President Barack Obama to increase political participation and economic empowerment of women.

On Monday afternoon Mrs. Simpson Miller will attend the launch of the Partnership, which she is expected to endorse on behalf of Jamaica. The initiative seeks to forge a partnership involving governments, multilateral organisations, the private sector and civil society, to expand women’s participation in appointed and elected political positions; and to improve women’s access to decent work, markets, financial services and ownership of productive assets including land.

Following the Hillary Clinton Equal Futures Partnership launch Prime Minister Simpson Miller will attend a reception hosted by President Obama and Mrs. Obama on Monday evening. She is also expected to participate in social engagements hosted by the UN Secretary General and the President of South Africa.