On September 22, 2026, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye began his participation in the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. He started with a ceremonial welcome, meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his deputy, Amina Mohammed. The President then attended the opening of the general debate, which focused on restoring trust in the organization undergoing transformation. This session marks the last of Guterres' term.
As the President of Senegal and current chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Bassirou Diomaye Faye spoke at a high-level meeting on the Pact for the Future. He emphasized the need for financing development, citing a $4,000 billion annual deficit in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The President also noted a 23% decline in official development assistance in 2025.
President Faye held five bilateral meetings with various leaders. He met with Romanian President Nicușor Dan to discuss 60 years of cooperation and plans to revitalize their economic partnership. The President also spoke with European Council President António Costa about energy, health, transportation, and sensitive issues like fishing and irregular migration.
Additional meetings were held with Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who is the current chair of the African Union, to discuss the upcoming Youth Olympic Games in Dakar. President Faye also met with French President Emmanuel Macron to address international security and the upcoming election of the UN Secretary-General.
President Faye's discussions with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud focused on common security challenges in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel region. The President's diplomatic efforts highlighted Senegal's commitment to speaking on behalf of the West African sub-region on peace and development financing.
Key aspects of President Faye's diplomatic engagements included Senegal's advocacy for the West African region, solidified partnerships with European countries, and an emphasis on respecting international law. He is set to participate in a debate on the right to development and meet with Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
President Faye will address the UN General Assembly on Thursday afternoon and return to Dakar on Friday, September 25. His engagements at the UN General Assembly reflect Senegal's active role in international diplomacy and cooperation.
Key points
- President Faye emphasized the need for reform in the global financial architecture to address development financing deficits.
- The President held bilateral meetings with five world leaders to strengthen partnerships and discuss pressing global issues.
- Senegal's President advocates for increased representation of African nations in international decision-making bodies.
