Before two days entirely dedicated to the UN general debate, Luís Montenegro intends, with today's program [22 September], to "emphasise the growing importance of economic and trade ties" between Portugal and the USA.

The objective was conveyed to Lusa by Luís Montenegro's office, which points out that, in 2025, the USA will be Portugal's fourth largest customer in terms of merchandise trade, with a market share of 5.8% of national exports (4.6 billion euros), and the tenth largest supplier (representing a weight of 2.1% in imports, with a value of 2.4 billion euros).

The Portuguese Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in New York at 1 pm (6 pm in Lisbon) and, two hours later, will be invited by the New York Stock Exchange for the traditional "closing bell" ceremony, in which he will ring the bell marking the end of the stock exchange trading session.

For the Prime Minister's office, this invitation from the New York Stock Exchange "recognises Portugal's economic and financial trajectory," as well as "economic growth exceeding that of the Eurozone, surplus public accounts, a decreasing public debt, record levels of employment and a consequent recognition from financial rating agencies," such as the recent upgrade of the Republic's rating to A+ by Fitch.

“This ceremony will be a unique opportunity to raise Portugal’s image among investors in one of the world’s most dynamic capital markets and to underline that Portugal is not only open to American investment, but is also a very relevant partner in sectors that are strategic for both countries,” he emphasises, highlighting, in particular, “substantial investments” by Portuguese companies in the US in the energy and pharmaceutical sectors.

Durão Barroso also participated in the New York Stock Exchange closing ceremony in 2007, when he was president of the European Commission, while Cavaco Silva rang the opening bell in 2008 during an official trip to the US as President of the Republic.

Montenegro will then inaugurate a Portuguese filigree jewellery store in Times Square and, at the end of the day, will participate in the traditional reception offered by the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, to world leaders who will participate in the annual debate of the 81st UN General Assembly. The Prime Minister's remaining two days of the trip will be dedicated to the UN General Assembly, just months before Portugal takes over in January as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term.

The general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly begins today, and Luís Montenegro's intervention at this annual meeting of representatives from the 193 UN member states is scheduled for the afternoon of 24 September.

This year's high-level session is themed "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation" and is the last with the Portuguese António Guterres as Secretary-General of the organisation, with whom the Prime Minister will meet on the morning of 23 September.