By Thaimu Thullah
Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr is in New York attending the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) where world leaders will gather to discuss and work together on the most pressing global issues, from gender equality to climate change and progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr has been invited to speak at a number of high level events throughout the week.
On Sunday, 22nd September, Mayor Aki-Sawyer was at WHO’s Walk the Talk – The Health for All Challenge, where she made brief remarks about the role of city leaders in the overall health and well-being of citizens, and in building and sustaining healthy living environments. She spoke during the opening ceremony of the event, alongside WHO Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr and other African leaders have been invited to speak during the flagship One by One Conference, where they will contribute to and learn from discussions with other African leaders, about using political leadership across health, environmental and sustainable development platforms to help achieve universal healthcare for Africa.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr will also take part in a panel discussion at UN Habitat’s Sustainable Cities as Hubs of Climate Change and Innovation event. Her contributions to the discussion will be centered on combating climate change with urban innovation in technology, partnerships and business models.
She will also participate during the SDG Summit: A Leaders Dialogue on Localizing of the SDGs and attend the African Heritage Reception hosted by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr, is accompanied by Festus Kallay, Chief Administrator of the Freetown City Council, and will return to Freetown on Sunday, 29th September.
