THE PRESIDENT OF MALTA TO ATTEND THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN NEW YORK

THE PRESIDENT OF MALTA TO ATTEND THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN NEW YORK

H.E. Prof. Guido de Marco, President of Malta, departs Malta on Sunday morning for New York where he will attend the Meeting of the Council of Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly to be held between the 8th and the 11^th of May at the UN Headquarters.

While in the United States, the President will also be conferred the Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa by the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. The Board of Trustees of the University of Bridgeport has unanimously voted to confer this degree upon the President in recognition of his "service to Malta, the United Nations and to the cause of world peace and international understanding". The conferment will be held during the University's 2000 Commencement Ceremony on Sunday 14^th May. This is the second degree honoris causa to be conferred on the President. In November last year, the Seconda Universita' degli Studi di Napoliconferred on Prof. de Marco a Degree in Law honoris causa.

The Council of Presidents, which is made up of the former Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly, meets annually in New York to discuss issues of international relevance and the future of the UN.

Prof. de Marco served as President of the 45^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly for one year from 18^th September 1990. During his term in office, Prof. de Marco gave a new impetus to the role of President of the General Assembly, becoming the first ever President of a UNGA to visit refugees in the Palestinian Occupied Territories and Jordan, and in Ethiopia. As President of the UNGA, Prof. de Marco led the reform of the United Nations with particular reference to the revitalisation of the General Assembly as well as the Trusteeship Council.

 In New York, Prof. de Marco will meet UN Secretary General Kofi Annan at the UN Headquarters. The President will also be meeting UN Deputy Secretary General Louise Fr'�chette and a number of permanent representatives of the various UN Member countries.

NASDAQ chairman Mr Frank Zarb will call on the President and a reception for members of the Maltese Community in New York will be hosted by Malta's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mr. Walter Balzan, in honour of the President.

Prof. de Marco returns to Malta on Monday 15^th May. Dr George Hyzler will be Acting President