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Foreign Secretary travels to US ahead of United Nations General Assembly
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Liz Truss convenes Permanent Five members of the UN Security Council
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Visit comes after the UK, US and Australia announce AUKUS trilateral security and defence partnership
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will arrive in the US later today (Sunday 19 September) ahead of a four-day visit to New York and Washington DC – the first official visit in her new role.
Along with the Prime Minister, Truss will meet President Biden and Vice President Harris, as well as attending High Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
At UNGA, the Foreign Secretary will convene the Permanent Five (P5) members of the UN Security Council – the UK, US, France, China and Russia – to encourage international co-operation over vital issues such as Afghanistan, Myanmar and vaccine distribution.
Truss will also travel to Washington DC for meetings with State Representatives, including Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Discussions will focus on G7 priorities and climate change in the run up to COP26.
Speaking ahead of the visit Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said:
I’m delighted my first international visit as Foreign Secretary is to the United States – the UK’s closest and most important partner. At the UN General Assembly, I look forward to convening global leaders to tackle the major issues of the day and projecting a positive, outward-looking Global Britain that delivers for people across the United Kingdom.
The visit comes as the UK, US and Australia announce the AUKUS trilateral security and defence partnership, to protect and defend shared interests in the Indo-Pacific. The ‘AUKUS’ alliance will enhance the development of joint capabilities and technology sharing.
In Washington, Liz Truss will also meet Head of the US Agency for International Development, Samantha Power and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
