SINGAPORE - Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan is in New York for the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday (Sept 22).

While in New York, Dr Balakrishnan met with former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Hugo Hans Siblesz, the ministry said in a statement.

"Dr Balakrishnan had a frank and wide-ranging discussion on global and regional trends with Dr Kissinger, and exchanged views with Mr Siblesz on ways of promoting multilateralism and international law," the statement said.

Dr Balakrishnan also met with President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci, the Foreign Ministers of the United Arab Emirates and Hungary, and several leaders of the Pacific Islands at the sidelines of the UNGA to reaffirm bilateral ties.

"During the meetings, Dr Balakrishnan and the leaders discussed regional developments, as well as ways of further strengthening bilateral links," the statement added.

The UN convened its annual general assembly, which sees the world's top leaders and diplomats meeting to address global issues, on Tuesday.