UN General Assembly President, Mr. Dennis Francis, visits Florida State University, Tallahassee, USA
New York, 27 August 2024
The President of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA), His Excellency, Mr. Dennis Francis will travel to Florida State University (FSU) from 28 to 30 August 2024.
The PGA is invited by Florida State University to deliver a lecture under the Ruth K. and Shepard Broad International Lecture Series/Engage Your World Series, under the theme “Strengthening climate action: The role of the United Nations General Assembly in addressing sea-level rise and other climate-induced disasters”.
FSU’s campus is located on the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida, United States, in a community that fosters free inquiry and embraces diversity, along with championship athletics (Seminoles), in the heart of the state capital, Tallahassee.
However, Florida is among the most exposed states in the country to sea-level rise and coastal storms. Sea-level rise and other climate-induced disasters are no longer distant threats but present realities that demand urgent and coordinated global action.
The PGA will address the assembly of students at FSU on this pressing issue. The discourse will also focus on the imperative role of the General Assembly in driving global efforts to address such pressing matters through fostering dialogue and supporting global initiatives, and how the Assembly can power up collective strength that lies in our ability to work together, leveraging diverse expertise and resources to tackle climate impacts effectively.
The PGA also intends to use the opportunity to further strengthen and foster cooperation between the academia and the United Nations.
During the visit, the PGA will also pay a courtesy call on Dr. Richard McCullough, President of Florida State University, and hold a separate engagement with diverse body of students, faculty of the University.
He will visit Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences Department, at FSU to learn about the research done in the fields of Environmental Science, Geology, Oceanography, and Meteorology to combat the challenges posed by climate change.
While in Tallahassee, he will also have an opportunity to engage with some of the local Government representatives and community members of Florida.
Throughout his engagements, the PGA will seek to learn from the ideas of the youth as internationalists in their own right; and underscore his full support and that of the General Assembly for them to continue to contribute to the United Nations’ work programme.
The PGA’s delegation includes his Deputy Chef de Cabinet and a Communications Adviser.
Travel costs for the visit are covered by Florida State University.
