President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will leave for New York, United States of America, on September 18 to attend the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Malacañang announced Thursday.

According to Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, the president's speech would focus on the country's efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We are going to expect that his speech will be relating to how the Philippines will be recovering from this pandemic and where he intends to take this and how he will do so in cooperation with other states," according to the secretary.

Meanwhile, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for United Nations and International Organizations Kira Azucena said Marcos Jr. would also articulate his administration's priorities, such as climate change, the rule of law and food security.

"[His] participation in the opening of UNGA 77 is important because it marks his first engagement with the United Nations, which the Philippines recognizes as the world's most important multilateral organization," according to Azucena.

Marcos Jr. is also expected to attend an economic briefing and one-on-one meetings in the United States,  DFA Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga added.

"The President has made it very clear from the initial discussions preparatory to this trip to New York that it will be more than his debut on the world's stage. He gave unequivocal instructions that his meetings, whether with fellow world leaders or with US corporations, should focus on finding the necessary partnerships or synergies that will benefit the Philippine economy and the Filipino people," Chan-Gonzaga explained.

The president is expected to return to the Philippines on September 24.