The Bahamas delegation to the 68th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly left for New York, Septem-ber 22, 2013, with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immi-gration Fred Mitchell serving as head of the delegation, un-til Prime Minister Perry Christie arrives in New York Sep-tember 27.

“This year the Prime Minister will deliver the country’s national statement to the general assembly for the first time during his tenure as Prime Minister,” Minister Mitchell said, at a press conference in the Diplomatic Lounge of the Lynden Pindling International Airport yesterday.

His address is scheduled for September 28 at three o’clock in the afternoon.

Also present at the press conference was Minister of Social Services and Community Development Melanie Sharon Griffin.

Minister Griffin will sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, at the UN Headquarters in New York, Tuesday, September 24.

The Bahamas will be joining Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago as a signatory, Minister Mitchell said.

Minister Mitchell noted that this year marks the 40th anniversary of The Bahamas’ membership in the United Nations.

Minister Mitchell added that the annual gathering in New York is the opportunity for nations to exchange views both bilaterally and in the multi-lateral context on a number of important issues.