African leaders traveled to New York for the United Nations General Assembly

African leaders are expected to attend the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in New York, along with other world leaders.

Scheduled to run until September 27, this year’s UNGA will take place against the backdrop of complex and interrelated crises.

Conflicts, climate change and COVID-19 have exacerbated inequality, poverty and hunger across the planet, particularly among the most vulnerable populations.

Africa is particularly affected by the impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The continent’s leaders attending New York are expected to use the forum to become more involved in international affairs and to weigh in on international efforts to resolve some of the crises.

African leaders expected in New York include South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, among others.

The General Assembly holds regular meetings in September every year.

The sessions bring together world leaders, civil society activists, private sector players and young people from around the world for two weeks of lectures, meetings, debates and discussions on various global issues.

Heads of state use the event to draw the world’s attention to specific issues and support various causes.