Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will have a busy schedule at the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly, participating at least at seven high-level meetings to be held within the UN complex in Manhattan, New York.

Najib, who is leading a delegation comprising cabinet ministers, will be making official statements at the meetings before addressing the UN general debate on Oct 1.

Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said the prime minister would also be accompanied by Higher Education Minister Idris Jusoh, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Madius Tangau and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Abdul Wahid Omar.

The theme for this year's session is 'The UN at 70: The Road Ahead for Peace, Security and Human Rights'.

On the sidelines, Anifah ( photo ) said Najib was scheduled to hold bilateral talks with several heads of state and government attending the general assembly.

Najib will first deliver a statement tomorrow, at the High-Level Roundtable on South-South Cooperation, to be attended, among others, by UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

While in New York, the prime minister is scheduled to receive an award at a gala dinner in conjunction with the 150th Anniversary of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The award is for his contribution towards harnessing the potential of information and communication technologies for sustainable development.

On Sunday (Sept 27), Najib will be among speakers at the United Nations Summit for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

Anifah said Najib was expected to outline Malaysia's commitment and support for the 2030 Development Agenda and its implementation.

PM to chair science and innovation session

On the same day, Najib is scheduled to give another statement at the Global Leaders' Meeting on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment.

On Monday, Najib will chair the 5th Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council (GSIAC) meeting at a hotel in New York.

He will then proceed to the UN headquarters to deliver his remarks at the Leaders’ Summit on Peacekeeping, a session to be hosted by US president Barack Obama.

Najib will later attend a high-tea with Malaysian diaspora at the Malaysian Permanent Representative Office in New York as part of the government’s outreach programme with overseas Malaysians who are residing, studying and working in the United States.

On Tuesday, Najib will be making another important statement at the Leaders' Summit on Countering ISIL and Violent Extremism, which will be hosted by President Obama ( photo ).

Anifah said the prime minister is also scheduled to participate in a meeting of Heads of Governments of the Countries Participating in the MH17 Joint Investigation Team (JIT), comprising Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ukraine and Malaysia.

"The meeting is aimed at reaffirming the continued and common resolve of the JIT countries to pursue accountability of the perpetrators and seek justice for the victims and their loved ones," he added.

Another main focus of the Najib's visit to the US is to further promote Malaysia as an attractive destination for investment when he meets with US business leaders and industry captains.

Meanwhile, Anifah too will be occupied with a number of meetings involving Asean ministers as well as meetings with several OIC contact groups.

Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor will leave New York City on Oct 1 for another working visit in Milan, Italy.

- Bernama