Secretary-General to head to Europe, Saudi Arabia

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon departs next week for France, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia to meet with the countries’ leaders and to attend a global meeting on Afghanistan.

On 12 June, Mr. Ban will attend the International Conference on Afghanistan – as part of global efforts to help with reconstruction and development in the country – in Paris. While in the French capital, he also expects to meet with President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The following day, he will be in London for meetings with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other senior officials, and will also address the UN Association of the UK on the theme, “Securing the Common Good: the United Nations and the Expanding Global Agenda.”

From London, the Secretary-General will travel to Saudi Arabia for meetings with the country’s King, Foreign Minister and others.

Returning to the UK on 16 June, he will take part in marking the 60th anniversary of the London-based UN International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Prior to his overseas trip, Mr. Ban heads today to the United States city of Jackson, Wyoming, to open the inaugural Global Insight Summit convened by the UN and the Jackson Hole Film Institute.

The event brings UN officials together with entertainment leaders to explore how film and television can better be put to use to heighten awareness of key global issues and the world body’s role in tackling them.