14 November 2000

Today, the President of the General Assembly was in Washington DC to meet with representatives of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This is the first time that a General Assembly President has visited the Bretton Woods Institutions.

His luncheon discussion with the Managing Director of IMF, Mr. Horst Koehler and other members of the Board covered among other issues the role of the IMF in financing for development, an issue, which is being considered in the United Nations and will have its main event in 2002. The visit was an opening towards better cooperation, better understanding and spirit between the two organizations, the United Nations and the IMF.

Traditionally the UN has had more cooperation with the World Bank. During the President's meeting with the Vice-President of the World Bank, Mr. Matts Karlsson, it was noted that especially in the field of information and communication, cooperation between the United Nations and the World Bank could be even more concrete, for example with regard to the preparations for the special session of the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS.

During his visit the President also met with representatives of Washington-based news media. These discussions focused on the relations between the UN and the USA, including the issue of the scale of assessments and reform of the Security Council. The discussions also touched upon the follow-up to the Millennium Summit and its Declaration, the so-called Brahimi Report and questions related to peace and development in general.

Later in the day the President was a guest of honor at a reception, hosted by Ambassador Mr. Jaakko Laajava of Finland. Representatives from the U.S. Government and other influential public figures were among the guests at the reception.