7 February 2001

The President hosted a luncheon in connection with the Preparatory Committee of the Third UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC). He stressed the role that the conference plays as part of the follow-up to the Millennium Summit.

The President met with the Secretary-General of the Organization for Security and cooperation in Europe, Mr. Jan Kubis. They discussed the High-Level Meeting on Cooperation between the United Nations and the Regional Organizations, and in that connection the question on how the input of regional organizations could be enhanced in the working group on sustainable peace and development in Africa.

The President attended the concluding session of the High-Level Meeting on Cooperation between the United Nations and the Regional Organizations.

The President had a meeting with the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Dr. Javad Zarif, the Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Mr. Fawzi Bin Abdul Majeed Shobokshi, the Permanent Representative of Malaysia, H.E. Mr. Hasmy Agam, and the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar, H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulla Ziz Al-Nasser. During the meeting, the President was briefed about recent developments on the Dialogue among civilizations initiative.

The Permanent Representative of Chile, H.E. Mr. Gabriel Valdes, and the Chilean Deputy PR, H.E. Mr. Cristián Maquieira, met to the President to discuss the question of improving the working methods of the General Assembly.

The President met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, H.E. Mr. Habib Ben Yahia. The discussions focused on the reforms of the Security Council and the General Assembly.

The President also met with the state Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, H.E. Mr. Hans Dahlgren. Their discussions focused on the Security Council reform.

The Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Mr. Abdel Ouahed Belkeziz made a courtesy call to the President. The President took up the High-Level Meeting on Cooperation between the United Nations and the Regional Organizations, and in that connection the question on how the input of regional organizations could be enhanced in the working group on sustainable peace and development in Africa.

The President attended a farewell reception, hosted by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Philippines, H.E. Mr. Felipe Mabilangan.

Later in the day the president attended an "After General Assembly" party, which was hosted by the Permanent Representative of Finland, H.E. Ms. Marjatta Rasi.