September 20, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani, makes first official visit to Cuba Image Credit- kmiragaya / depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
President Sirisena attends the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Meeting
President Sirisena has attended the Opening Plenary Session on Partnering for Global Prosperity at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2016 Annual Meeting in New York.
Former US President, Bill Clinton, welcomed the heads of state present, including President Sirisena. He stated that their presence provided reassurances of the CGI’s efforts in eradicating poverty and improving health and sanitation in the world’s least developed countries.
New Zealand pledges dairy sector assistance
The High Commissioner of New Zealand to India and Sri Lanka, Grahame Morton, has met with the Minister of Finance, Ravi Karunanayake, to discuss New Zealand’s assistance in developing the milk production sector in Sri Lanka.
The High Commissioner stated that New Zealand aims to provide Sri Lanka with new technology, industry expertise, and grants to promote improvements in milk production. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister’s forthcoming tour of New Zealand in October 2016 was also discussed during the visit.
Sri Lanka condemns attack in Kashmir
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on 19 September condemning the attack on an Indian military base in Kashmir.
The statement reaffirmed the urgent need for regional and global cooperation in combating terrorism, and offered the government’s condolences to the families of the victims.
Declaration to enhance refugee and migrant crisis adopted at UN summit
World leaders have adopted the New York Declaration, which aims to protect the rights of refugees and migrants and ensure that the responsibility of large population movements is shared among UN member states.
The document was adopted at the the first UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants on 19 September. As the New York Declaration is not legally binding, advocacy groups have expressed concern over the inadequacy of this effort.
International coordination on Syria falters
The Syrian government has announced that the initial ceasefire brokered by the US and Russia has expired, and is yet to comment on any possible extension. The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, has requested that Russia clarify the Syrian announcement.
Tensions have increased due to the bombing of an aid convoy by an unidentified entity, and an alleged lack of cooperation between the parties.
Presidents of Iran and Cuba meet
The President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, has made his first official visit to Cuba where he met his counterpart, President Raul Castro, in Havana.
During the visit, both leaders discussed strengthening ties and deepening collaboration between the countries. The Iranian President’s visit comes in the wake of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s visit to Cuba last month.
Tags: Syria, Sri Lanka, Iran, UN, President Sirisena, New Zealand, Cuba
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