GMA in New York for 2 events

MANILA, Philippines - Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would attend the fifth conference of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) and speak before a gathering of women leaders on the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in two separate events in New York, her spokeswoman disclosed yesterday.

Ma. Elena Bautista-Horn said Mrs. Arroyo’s attendance at the CGI was upon the invitation of its founding chairman, former US President Bill Clinton. She was also invited by Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan to discuss MDGs of women and children during the 5th Important Dinner for Women.

Indra Nooyi, chairman of Pepsi Co., and Wendi Murdoch, wife of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, are co-hosting the event.

Horn said the events would be held starting tomorrow (Manila time) until Wednesday in conjunction with the UN Summit on MDGs that will be attended by President Aquino. It was not clear whether the two will meet.

“These are important occasions for the aspirations and causes of Arroyo in the achievement of the MDG goals in the Philippines, particularly in her district, by 2015,” Horn said in a statement.

In the CGI conference, Mrs. Arroyo is a presenter of commitments on behalf of around three to four selected individuals or organizations. She is likewise expected to share the conditions and opportunities in the Philippines.

The CGI conference last year was voted the most important conference for chief executive officers of private companies, non-government and civil society organizations and government present and former leaders and decision makers.

In its previous conferences, a total of 170 projects on children’s education, safe water and clean energy have been drawn up and implemented, improving the lives in 170 countries all over the world.

In the 5th Important Dinner for Women, Mrs. Arroyo will be discussing with partners and networking with worldwide organizations the situation of the sector in the Philippines and how they can be further improved, Bautista-Horn said.

“The conference aims to address girls and women’s health, education and economic empowerment. Mrs. Arroyo hopes to get support and assistance from these organizations to further attain significant improvement in the plight of girls and women in the Philippines,” she said.