Bangkok--9 Apr--UNISBKK
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrives in Vientiane on Friday for an official visit to Lao People’s Democratic Republic during which he will hold talks with President Choummaly Sayasone as well as other government leaders and open a new UN headquarters in the capital.
Mr Ban’s visit to Laos comes ahead of the summit meeting in Thailand of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations, which the Secretary General will co-chair.
During his stay, the Secretary-General will speak at the official opening of UN House, a compound in central Vientiane housing several UN agencies who are part of the UN Country team.
He will also launch the second Millennium Development Goals Progress Report detailing Laos’ progress towards achieving the eight MDGs.
Before leaving on Saturday, the Secretary-General will visit a centre providing health and other services to young people.
Mr Ban will be the third UN Secretary-General to visit Laos, following Mr Dag Hammarskj?ld, who visited in November 1959, and Mr Javier Perez de Cuellar who visited Vientiane in January 1985.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Ms. Janet Pontin, UNDP Communications, +856 20 241 2664; [email protected]
Mr. Simon Ingram, UNICEF Communications, +856 20 551 9681; [email protected]