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Trump will not attend UN General Assembly in person
WASHINGTON, Sept 18, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – US President Donald Trump will not
attend next week’s UN General Assembly gathering in person, his chief of
staff told journalists aboard Air Force One Thursday, according to a pool
report.
The decision marks an about-face for Trump, who last month said he wanted
to deliver his speech in the General Assembly hall in New York, even if other
world leaders are staying away due to the coronavirus pandemic.
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows ended the debate once and for all,
telling reporters en route to Wisconsin, where Trump was to hold a campaign
rally, that the president would not physically attend the General Assembly’s
75th session, which will take place mainly by videoconference due to the
health crisis.
The main part of this year’s UNGA, when world leaders take turns to give
speeches, runs through the week starting September 21 and ends on September
29.
In opening remarks Tuesday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized
this year’s focus on the global response to the coronavirus pandemic plus
“peace and security, disarmament, human rights, gender equality and
sustainable development.”
BSS/AFP/GMR/0913 hrs