11 October 2000

The President met with the newly appointed Executive Director of United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka. She briefed the President on preparations for the 5-year review of the Habitat II conference and stressed the importance of fully involving local authority partners in the preparations and the special session itself.

The President met with the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to the United Nations, Mr. Boubakar Toure, the Director of FAO Liaison office in New York. He briefed the President on the forthcoming World Food Day event to be held on 18 October 2000, on the theme "A Millenium Free from Hunger".

The President met with the Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Mohammad A. Abulhasan, who extended an invitation for the President to visit Kuwait. Ambassador Abulhasan also mentioned the environmental work being done in Kuwait.

The President met with the Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations, H.E. Sr. J. Gabriel Valdes.The Financing for Development process was discussed. The President briefed Ambassador Valdes on the question of follow-up to the Millenium Summit.

The President met also with the Executive Director of the UN Iraq Programme, Mr. Benon Sevan who briefed him about the programme.