(Photo courtesy of Department of Foreign Affairs)

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will leave for New York on Sunday, Sept. 18, for the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the first to be held completely in-person since the COVID-19 pandemic.

This marks the President's first engagement with the United Nations, and his third official overseas trip following his successful state visits to Indonesia and Singapore earlier this month.

There, the Chief Executive is slated to discuss his administration's plans for the Philippines' recovery from COVID-19 pandemic, when he addresses the UNGA on Sept. 20.

Pres. Marcos' UNGA speech, according to Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, will focus on the Philippine government's interventions, including international cooperation, to fast-track the country's recovery from the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

"In this case, the President's primary objective and in fact, his main policy in his governance, in this administration, is economic recovery. And so, all activities, particularly even those presidential activities, are related to this particular vision," Cruz-Angeles said in a Palace press briefing.

"So, we are going to expect that his speech will be relating to how the Philippines will be recovering from this pandemic and where he intends to take this, and how he will do so in cooperation with other states," she added.

The 77th session of the UNGA, which will take place in New York City, will present an opportunity for world leaders to offer solutions to the pressing global issues, including the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cruz-Angeles also raised the possibility that Marcos might meet with the members of the Filipino community in New York City.

"The primary purpose will still be [his participation] in the [UN] General Assembly. That is the main purpose of the trip. There are no announcements or no calendared activities other than that and those congruent or collateral to this address, well of course, aside from what he usually does – meeting with the Filipino community when opportunity arises," she said.

Marcos will deliver the Philippines' national statement during the UNGA's afternoon session on Sept. 20 at around 3:15 pm (New York time).

At the high-level general debate, Marcos will join more than 150 other heads of state and government. (PIA-NCR)