The Secretary-General met with H.E. Ms. Julia Gillard, the Prime Minister of Australia, today on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit.
 
The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for Australia’s strong contributions to the work of the United Nations, especially in the areas of humanitarian, development, peacekeeping and political affairs.
 
They discussed nuclear safety and security as well as preparations for the Rio+20 UN sustainable development conference. He thanked the Prime Minister for advising him that she would attend the conference.
 
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues, including the Iranian nuclear programme, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands. On the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the Secretary-General said he looked forward to a UN-PIF leaders' meeting on the margins of the General Assembly later this year.
 
The Secretary-General briefed the Prime Minister on the latest developments regarding Syria, including Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan's activities.