UN chief to travel to San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, Spain, and the Netherlands

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will depart New York on Saturday for a five-nation European tour during which he will focus on issues such as the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), chemical weapons and United Nations tribunals.

Mr. Ban begins his tour in San Marino on Sunday, with a meeting with the Foreign Minister. The next day, he will take part in the investiture of the newly-elected Captains Regent, UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky told reporters.

Then the Secretary-General will travel to Andorra and Monaco, two countries that are commemorating the 20th anniversary of their membership in the UN. He will meet with the Prime Minister of Andorra and the President of the Parliament, before addressing the members of the Parliament.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Mr. Ban will meet with Prince Albert, the Minister of State, and other Government officials. He will also address the Constitutional Bodies of Monaco.

He then travels to Spain, where on Thursday he will meet with the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister, and launch an event for the 1,000 days of action for the MDGs ahead of the 2015 deadline for their achievement.

Agreed at a UN summit in 2000, the MDGs set specific targets on poverty alleviation, education, gender equality, child and maternal health, environmental stability, HIV/AIDS reduction, and a ‘Global Partnership for Development.’

While in Madrid, Mr. Ban will also participate in the UN Chief Executives Board meetings. He will also receive an award from the New Economic Forum in recognition of the UN’s contribution to promoting peace and security and economic and social development.

On Sunday, 7 April, the Secretary-General will travel to the Netherlands, where he will meet with Queen Beatrix and Dutch Government ministers.

He will also attend the opening session of the 3rd Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention. While in The Hague, the Secretary-General will also meet with the President and Members of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and with the Presidents of the Hague-based international criminal courts and tribunals.