Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. It is a great pleasure to see you.

As you know, I visited Chile over the weekend.

I was there to express my solidarity, and of the United Nations and the international community as a whole, with the people [and Government of Chile] following the devastating earthquake.

I also had a meeting with my staff and inspected the extent of the damage of the UN office there.

I really wanted to have a fuller picture, a clearer picture, at first-hand, at the extent of damage, to better assess how the United Nations can help Chile overcome.

I saw some of the worst-affected areas, in Concepción. I was able to fly over the tsunami-hit areas.

Grief was widespread. But there was also a strong sense of unity among the people – workers and families of the victims, and Government leaders, and survivors. This was quite heartening for me.

That unity was reflected in the outpouring of support from the general public, the business community and others. The telethon fundraising event in which I participated together with President Bachelet and incoming President Piñera raised $60 million, twice what was expected.

I met both the current President - Michelle Bachelet, and her key Cabinet members. We had a joint meeting between the Chilean Government and the United Nations. Then I met with the incoming President, Sebastián Piñera, and I had another opportunity of engaging in in-depth discussions with the incoming ministers – Foreign Minister, Planning, Finance, Public Works, and Health Ministers. We discussed, and as a result of our discussions, we agreed to establish a joint working group between the United Nations and the Chilean Government, to try to identify the areas where they needed [help] most urgently. Those areas are shelter and sanitation, mobile hospitals, electric generators and communications and small-scale fishery support. There are several areas which the Chilean Government wanted to have a targeted support from the international community.

I stressed to both the strong commitment of the United Nations to help the country pick up the pieces and build back better.

I have, as you are aware by this time, authorized $10 million from the CERF, the Central Emergency Response Fund. The United Nations and the Chilean Government will work very closely together.

I will brief the General Assembly on Wednesday morning, and will see how the United Nations Member States can help the Chilean Government and how Member States can do their part.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me now turn to some of the very serious situations in some parts of the world.

In Nigeria, I am deeply concerned that there has been more inter-religious violence, with appalling loss of life. I appeal to all concerned to exercise maximum restraint. Nigeria's political and religious leaders should work together to address the underlying causes and to achieve a permanent solution to the crisis in Jos.

On Iraq, I applaud all those Iraqis who exercised their constitutional right to vote despite the very serious and difficult challenging security situation. My Special Representative, Mr. Ad Melkert, will have an opportunity of briefing you, with more to tell you at his own briefing later today.

Finally, as you know, today is International Women's Day. Gender equality and women's empowerment are among my top priorities. Women are central to the Millennium Development Goals and all our hopes for progress and peace and stability and human rights.

For that reason, I am pleased to announce that Ms. Ann-Marie Orler will be the new Police Adviser for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

Ms. Orler brings great experience to the job, including in the Swedish National Police.

She has been the United Nation's Deputy Police Adviser since 2008, and has led the global effort to recruit more female police officers for UN peace operations.

Now, the United Nation's top cop is a woman.

That is a wonderful way to celebrate International Women's Day.

Ms. Orler will be at the noon briefing today to take your questions.

Thank you very much, and I am ready for your questions.