News From the United Nations 14.2.08

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will travel to Washington, D.C. on February 14th and 15th to meet with Unites States President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The Secretary-General will attend a ceremony in honor of US Representative Tom Lantos. The only Holocaust survivor to serve in the House, Lantos passed away on February 11th.

Agenda ideas for Mr. Ban’s meeting with Secretary Rice and Mr. Bush include:
- Progress of the Millennium Development Goals
- Climate change
- Terrorism
- The Darfur humanitarian crisis

Prior to his Washington, D.C. trip, the Secretary-General met with UK rock star Bono. Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, Miclelle Montas confirmed that U2 lead-singer and activist requested the meeting. The two discussed several health issues related to the Millennium Development Goals.

Regarding Darfur, Spokesperson Montas confirmed that the Status of Forces Agreement between the United Nations / African Union and the government of Sudan as been signed. The agreement will aid enforcement of the Darfur Peace Agreement, which aims to protect civilians from regional violence.

In other United Nations news, the World Food Programme and Vodafone announced a new partnership that will work to develop and improve communication technologies and protocols in emergency situations.