Several other leaders joined President Rajapaksa on stage for the event, including Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, the President of Gabon Ali Bongo Ondimba and the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Binh Minh. The initiative was primarily aimed at putting an international spotlight on the crisis facing African elephants.

Speaking at the event, President Ondimba called on the world to come together to take concrete action to save Africa’s elephants, pointing out that collective actions will determine the future of these majestic animals.

President Rajapaksa participated in the event following an invitation by Secretary Clinton earlier this year.

The President arrived in New York City yesterday afternoon to attend the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that is taking place this week. Earlier in the day, President Rajapaksa spoke at the U.N. Climate Summit 2014 and held bilateral discussions with the leaders of Nepal and Colombia and the Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma.(KH)