1 September 2009 - The United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs, Haile Menkerios, and the Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) Country Configuration on Guinea-Bissau, Ambassador Maria Luiza Viotti will attend the inauguration of Guinea-Bissau new President Malam Bacai Sanhá on 8 September.

During his visit, Menkerios will hold talks with the President, the Prime Minister and members of the Government as well as with the members of the diplomatic corps, the Representative of the Secretary-General to Guinea-Bissau and the UN country team. The UN Assistant Secretary General visited Guinea-Bissau in May 2008.

Ambassador Maria Luiza Viotti will also meet with Guinea-Bissau main authorities including the President and the Speaker as well as ambassadors and representatives of international organizations.

The Chair of the PBC Country Configuration on Guinea-Bissau will also have meetings with the country' civil society and professional organization representatives, members of the Peacebuilding Steering Committee as well as Women's Group Network of African Women Ministers and Parliamentarians.