UN General Assembly president to attend World Government Summit

Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces will join thousands of opinion formers at Dubai event

Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces is only the fourth woman to hold the post in 73 years of the UN General Assembly and the first from Latin America. Reuters 

This story has been updated to include comment from Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces

The president of the UN General Assembly, Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, will attend the World Government Summit in Dubai next week as part of a trip in which she will meet top UAE officials.

Ms Espinosa Garces is to join thousands of guests and participants at the summit, including heads of state, ministers and business leaders.

Starting on Sunday, the seventh annual global gathering will see discussions on topics ranging from climate change to financial strategies, technology and education.

Ms Espinosa Garces, an Ecuadoran diplomat and former foreign minister, will arrive in the UAE on Saturday.

She told The National: "I am very much looking forward to travelling to the United Arab Emirates, to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and to participate in the World Government Summit. I will be meeting with senior Government leaders, as well as civic and other leaders. Action over climate change and strengthening multilateralism will be a very important part of my discussions and engagements."

The summit, held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, aims to deliver a road map towards a more prosperous future for all nations. Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future and chairman of WGS, has said the meeting will provide a blueprint for the success of governments worldwide.

More than 200 sessions tackling a wide variety of global concerns will be on the agenda over three days. Leading figures who will address the event include Sheikha Maryam bint Mohamed bin Zayed, who will speak at a session entitled 'choosing a future for the next generation' and Saad Hariri, prime minister of Lebanon.