The meeting is a signature initiative of Gabon’s Presidency of the UN Security Council

Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan is visiting the USA from October 6 to October 9 to take part in a High-Level UN Security Council Debate in Africa.

The theme of the UNSC debate is "Peace and Security in Africa: Strengthening the Fight Against the Financing of Armed Groups and Terrorists Through the Illicit Trafficking of Natural Resources," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said while announcing the visit on Thursday.

The UNSC meeting is a signature initiative of Gabon’s Presidency of the Security Council and likely to be presided over by the Foreign Minister of Gabon, the MEA added.

On October 7, MoS Muraleedharan will also attend a celebration honouring the fifth anniversary of the India-UN Development Partnership Fund.

Established in 2017, the USD 150 million India-UN Development Partnership Fund is supported and led by Government of India and implemented in collaboration with the United Nations system.

"The Fund supports Southern-owned and led, demand-driven and transformational sustainable development projects across the developing world, with a focus on least developed countries and small island developing States," the MEA pointed out.

During the visit, MoS Muraleedharan is expected to meet senior UN officials as well as ministers from other member nations attending the UNSC meeting.

On the next leg of his trip to the USA, he will visit Atlanta on October 8 & 9 for events related to the Indian community.