Ban and Obama to meet next week in Washington

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and United States President Barack Obama will meet next week in Washington to discuss a host of issues, including the global economic crisis, Sudan, Afghanistan and the Middle East, it was announced today.

The two leaders are also expected to confer on climate change, non-proliferation, human rights, United Nations reform and US-UN relations, according to a statement issued by Mr. Ban's spokesperson.

While visiting the US capital from 10 to 11 March, the Secretary-General will also hold talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as well as with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. Ban will arrive in Washington from Haiti, which he and former US President Bill Clinton will visit on Monday to raise awareness of efforts to help the Caribbean nation's people and government bolster their economic security.