Secretary-General to meet with US President Bush next Tuesday

Darfur, climate change and United Nations reform will be on the agenda when Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon holds talks next week in Washington with United States President George W. Bush, Mr. Ban’s spokesperson announced today.

Marie Okabe told journalists that Mr. Ban and Mr. Bush are scheduled to meet at the White House on Tuesday, a day after he arrives in the US capital.

The two leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including the continuing crisis in the Sudanese region of Darfur, climate change, UN reform, as well as UN-US relations and other pressing geopolitical issues, she said.

The Secretary-General is also scheduled to meet with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee during his visit to Washington. In addition, on Monday night he will attend a private dinner with political leaders and experts on climate change.