Prime Minister Andrew Holness departs the island tonight (Sunday, September 23) for the 73rd Session of the United General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, United States.

On Monday, the Prime Minister will attend a high-level plenary meeting on global peace in honor of the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela, known as the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit. The plenary will adopt a political declaration negotiated by Member States.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Prime Minister will engage a series of bilateral discussions with other leaders.

Thursday will see the Prime Minister bringing opening remarks at a CARICOM High-Level Breakfast event which will see the launch of Caribbean Moves.

Prime Minister Holness will also participate in the Third High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). This is a major presentation as Jamaica and other nations across the world devise strategies to combat NCDs.

The Prime Minister will wrap up his working visit on Friday with a series of meetings with senior representatives of the private and banking sectors.

Prime Minister Holness is supported by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Senator Matthew Samuda and Robert Nesta  Morgan, Director of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister will return to the island on Friday, September 28.

During his absence, Dr Horace Chang, Minister of National Security will be in charge of Government.