Monrovia, April 15, 2008: The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Madam Olubanke  King-Akerele departs Liberia today for New York to attend a High Level Session of the United Nations Security Council to be chaired by President Thabo Mbeki of south Africa.
Foreign Minister King-Akerele will be the Special Representative of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the High Level Session which is expected to be attended by many Africans Leaders, including those currently serving on the Security Council.
She will be joined by His Excellency Mr. Nathaniel Barnes, Ambassador and permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations.
The Security Council open Debate is aimed at strengthening the relationship between the United Nations and regional organizations particularly the African Union, in the maintenance of International peace and security.
The debate will also offer the opportunity to address at the highest political level the complex nature of some current conflicts and the need to respond in the timely manner to threats to peace, taking into account factors such as the capacity and limitations of regional organizations.
While Minister King-Akerele is out the country, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador William V.S. Bull, sr. will act as Minister of Foreign Affairs.