Afghanistan and Middle East top Ban’s talks with UK leader

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met yesterday evening with the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, with Afghanistan, the situation in the Middle East and climate change among the topics discussed during David Cameron’s first visit to United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The two men also conferred on preparations for a summit to be held in September at which world leaders will gather to push for further progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), eight anti-poverty targets with a 2015 deadline.

The Secretary-General praised the UK’s high level of commitment and leadership on the Goals, voicing hope that the country’s position on the MDGs will serve as a model for other countries to follow.

Earlier this week, Mr. Ban opened a major international conference in the Afghan capital, Kabul, voicing support for the priorities laid out by the nation’s Government to advance peace and development and called on the country’s men and women to rally around these efforts.

“We are here to support the Afghan Government and its new priorities … to reaffirm our pledge to stay engaged for the long term,” he told participants at the Kabul Conference, the first global gathering on Afghanistan to be held in the country.

While the Government has begun to take essential steps to deliver on the needs of its people, it needs the full backing of the country’s citizens, he said.

“These plans aim to deliver real results for you, the Afghan people, without delay. They aim to establish effective democratic governance … and guarantee your rights and the rule of law.

“Yet these programmes cannot succeed without your support – without all of you, acting in good faith,” he added.