Chinese Premier meets UN Chief on international issues

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on major international issues. Wen met the UN chief on the sidelines of the 5th World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. During their talks, Wen said the United Nations had played an indispensable role in boosting international cooperation and coordinated actions among related parties. China supports the UN and the Secretary General to play a bigger role in international affairs and achieve greater success, he said. In promoting global sustainable development, the UN and the international community needed to focus on the elimination of poverty, help developing countries properly cope with the difficulties in their drive to transfer to a green economy and provide them with support in such areas as finance, technology and capacity building, Wen said. Ban said China had played an important role in helping attain the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and settle regional hot issues. Appreciating China''s support for the UN, Ban said the United Nations stood ready to advance contacts with China and make concerted efforts to safeguard world peace and promote sustainable development, according to China''s (Xinhua) News Agency. They also exchanged views on the situation of West Asia and North Africa and other regional issues of common concern. Wen arrived in the capital of the United Arab Emirates Monday morning after concluding an official visit to Saudi Arabia. He visited Nepal on Saturday before flying to the Middle East. The trip will also take him to Qatar. Earlier in the day, the Chinese premier gave a keynote speech at the opening of the 5th World Future Energy Summit.