Jaishankar holds key meeting with UNGA president Philemon Yang in Delhi
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar held a meeting with United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Philemon Yang in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Following the meeting with Yang, Jaishankar posted on X, “Pleasure to meet @UN_PGA Philemon Yang this afternoon in Delhi.”
The EAM said he discussed various issues on the UN agenda, including the need for reformed multilateralism, with Yang.
“Also exchanged views on regional, global, and developmental issues. Appreciate his leadership and guidance at the UN,” the minister added.
UNGA President Yang arrived in India on Wednesday evening for a five-day visit from February 4 to 8.
Yang is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu during his visit.
The UNGA President is also scheduled to visit Karnataka. In Bengaluru, he is scheduled to visit Infosys and the Indian Institute of Science, where he would interact with experts on India’s innovations in various fields, including sustainability, digital and public infrastructures.
In June 2024, Cameroon’s Yang was elected as UNGA President of its seventy-ninth session, which runs from September 2024 until September 2025.
Ahead of his India visit, Yang hailed India saying that New Delhi continues to fulfil its obligation as a member state of the UN by paying its dues in full and on time.
India has paid USD 37.64 million dollars to the United Nations Regular Budget for 2025, joining the “honour roll” of 35 member states who have paid their regular budget assessments in full and on time to the UN.
According to the UN Committee on Contributions, as of January 31, 2025, 35 member states have paid their regular budget assessments in full within the 30-day due period specified in UN financial regulations.
Yang is a seasoned diplomat with a track record of experience. He has served as Cameroon’s Prime Minister and Head of Government from 2009 to 2019. In this capacity, he represented the Head of State at important high-level regional and international meetings.
The UNGA president has also served as Cameroon’s High Commissioner to Canada (1984–2004), where, for 14 years, he was Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. He has led Cameroonian delegations to high-level economic summits in Washington, DC, London, New Delhi and several other capitals.
