President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf arrived in New York last Thursday to attend the General Assembly of the United Nations.

The President is going to New York amidst frustration in her administration that international donor pledges were lagging far behind deliveries, making the implementation of earmarked projects and programs difficult – to the displeasure of the citizens.

“So, what exactly will she be saying?” is the question on the minds of observers.

The Analyst Staff Writer has been looking at a September 21 dispatch from the President’s information team in New York headed by Presidential Press Secretary, Cyrus Badio.

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, now in New York, is expected to present Liberia before the United Nations by reporting government’s achievements and articulating the challenges associated with responding to the needs of the Liberia people.

The Liberian leader, now attending the opening of the 63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, will tomorrow address the General Assembly.

The dispatch said as part of scheduled events and meetings this week, the Liberian leader will today address a high-level forum on ‘Decent Work Approach to Development and the Millennium Development Goals.’

It said the “The Realizing Rights High-Level Forum” is sponsored by Ireland’s former President, Mary Robinson, adding that President Sirleaf’s remarks will concentrate on the building of coherent employment and growth strategies.

“The Liberian leader will also participate in a high-level meeting on the Millennium Development Goals relating to Africa’s needs and focusing primarily on the state of implementation of various commitments, challenges and the way forward,” the dispatch said.

It noted that President Sirleaf will later today attend a reception in New York, hosted by President and Mrs. George Bush for visiting world leaders attending the UN General Assembly.

“Monday’s reception with President and Mrs. Bush will be preceded by separate meetings with American billionaires George Soros and Robert Johnson to review progress on their investments in Liberia,” it said.

Also topping the President’s UN General Assembly session, it said, is a bilateral meeting with the United Nations Secretary-general, Ban Ki Moon.

Participants at today’s meeting will include Liberian Foreign Minister Olubanke Akerele, Liberia’s outgoing ambassador to the UN, Mr. Nathaniel Barnes, and his successor, Ambassador Conmany Wesseh.

The delegation will brief the UN Secretary-general on the progress and prospects of government’s programs and the challenges ahead. Pres. Johnson Sirleaf will also hold talks, tomorrow, with President Tarja Halonen of Finland and the prime ministers of Morocco and Australia.

The Liberian leader, who arrived in the United States Thursday to attend the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, the dispatch said, was guest of Brown University in Rhode Island on Friday, where she received an honorary degree from the University and met with members of the Liberian community.

In a keynote address, the President painted a hopeful picture of Liberia’s future.  Despite the challenges, she said, the country is turning the corner. The Liberian leader maintained that Liberia’s forward momentum is part of a larger African renewal.

“I think Africa is on an irreversible path toward improving its competitiveness, consolidating its peace and its progress, despite one or two pockets of difficulties,” she said.

Addressing hundreds of Liberians who earlier braved the bone-chilling cold at the Providence City Hall, the President urged them to help their country achieve peace, reconciliation and national credibility.