On the occasion of the 63rd General Assembly of the United Nations, the President of the Republic visits New York between 22 and 25 September, when he will address the Plenary of that organization, meet leaders of several countries and attend the opening of the market of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Portugal currently presides at the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), and following the decisions taken by this Group’s leaders in their July summit, in Lisbon, will promote a greater assertion of the Portuguese language within the United Nations Organization.

A meeting with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, will be one of the prime events of the first day of his visit, which will close with a reception hosted by the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush, to the Heads of State and of Government who will be present on the occasion.
The President of the Republic addresses the representatives of the whole world on 24 September, after having met several of his counterparts, and hosts a working lunch with the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries) Heads of State, during which the promotion of the Portuguese Language will be the main theme. The President will also take advantage of the occasion to meet the Portuguese officials in the United Nations.

In New York, President Aníbal Cavaco Silva will be awarded by his Estonian counterpart with the highest decoration attributed to foreign dignitaries, as a recognition of the Estonians for Portugal’s actions in denying the recognition of the annexation of that country by the then Soviet Union, which later made possible the restoration of their independence.

On the last day of his visit, in addition to a meeting with the Board of the New York Stock Exchange and attending the opening of its first market dealings, the President of the Republic will also deliver a speech at a round table in the High Level Event of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.