General Assembly President meets senior Austrian officials in Vienna

Human trafficking, climate change and the global food crisis dominated the agenda of talks today in Vienna between General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim and senior Austrian officials.

Mr. Kerim held meetings with Federal Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer, Minister for European and Foreign Affairs Ursula Plassnik and State Secretary Hans Winkler at the start of the third leg of a five-country official tour.

The Assembly President and Ms. Plassnik discussed the global food crisis and the priority issues of the current annual session of the 192-member Assembly, including climate change, according to a spokesperson for Mr. Kerim.

Ms. Plassnik also bestowed the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash for Services to Austria, First Class, to Mr. Kerim during their meeting.

During his talks with Mr. Gusenbauer the main focus was on human security issues, such as human trafficking and international crime. Mr. Kerim also praised Vienna, which is home to many UN facilities and agencies, as an important site for the Organization.

Tomorrow he is scheduled to meet with President Heinz Fischer and senior UN officials based in the Austrian capital. Mr. Kerim has already visited Switzerland and Liechtenstein and will travel next to Italy and then the United Arab Emirates.