Mutharika sends Chaponda to UN General Assembly

Malawi’s President Arthur Peter Mutharika has delegated Foreign Affairs Minister George Chaponda to lead the country’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Chaponda would represent the president at the annual gathering of UN member states.

He will be accompanied by four officials from the ministry whose participation is being funded by the United Nations.

The government will only meet the costs of Chaponda’s travel, according to the ministry.

It said the delegation was the smallest Malawi had ever sent to the UN General Assembly, describing the move as part of President Mutharika’s austerity measures aimed at reducing government spending and helping to get the economy back on track.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Chipiliro Mpinganjira will later join the delegation to attend Climate Week NYC 2026.

His travel costs will be covered by iRise Global Inc, which invited him to the event.

The UN General Assembly brings together representatives of the organisation’s 193 member states to discuss international issues including peace and security, development and cooperation.