Annan to discuss international economic outlook with key global finance officials

The impact of terrorist attacks against the United States on the global economy will figure high on the agenda in discussions between Secretary-General Kofi Annan and key international financial officials in Ottawa this weekend, his spokesman announced today.

"This Saturday night, the Secretary-General will be in Ottawa to attend a unique dinner with the committees of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to discuss the global economic outlook following the September 11th attacks on the United States, and in particular the impact on the poorest," spokesman Fred Eckhard told reporters in New York.

The event marks the first time ever that the Secretary-General has been invited by the leaders of those panels - the Development Committee chaired by Indian Finance Minister Yaswant Sinha and the International Monetary Finance Committee chaired by United Kingdom Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown - to exchange views in a Saturday evening dinner session.

"In addition to the post-September 11 economic environment, the Secretary-General will discuss plans for the forthcoming UN Conference on Financing for Development, to be held in Monterrey, Mexico, next March," the spokesman reported. Mr. Annan will also take questions from the attendees, expected to include 45 finance ministers.

Prior to the dinner, the Secretary-General is scheduled to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.