AJC Begins 25th Annual Diplomatic Outreach to World Leaders at UN General Assembly Opening

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Sep 24, 2015, 12:16 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC is set to engage in more than 60 substantive private meetings with the leaders of countries from every continent attending the opening of the UN General Assembly in New York. While the UNGA session will officially begin on September 28, a number of AJC meetings with presidents, prime ministers, and foreign ministers will take place this week.

AJC, the premier global Jewish advocacy organization, initiated the "diplomatic marathon" in 1990, which was a first in the Jewish community. "Over the past 25 years, the series of meetings surrounding the UNGA opening has constituted a highlight of our year-round diplomatic activity because so many leaders are in New York for a very concentrated period of time," said Harris. "It allows for one-stop diplomatic shopping, if you will."

Topping the AJC agenda this year are the ramifications of the Iran nuclear deal and its implementation; Palestinian Authority strategies at the UN and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, emphasizing that only a bilateral negotiated settlement will ensure a lasting peace; the continuing escalation in global anti-Semitism; and UN institutional bias against the state of Israel.

"Over the past quarter-century, our meetings surrounding the UN have deepened long-term relationships, an integral component of AJC's traditional approach to international diplomacy, and achieved concrete results," said Harris. "The annual UN General Assembly session is a unique opportunity for us to have timely conversations with leaders of many countries about pressing issues of mutual concern."

AJC has 22 regional offices across the United States, including major cities with diplomatic corps, ten overseas posts, and 30 international association agreements.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee