By Xinhua,
New York : US President Barack Obama made a telephone call to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Friday afternoon and discussed a range of issues of common concern and interest, according to a statement from the UN chief’s office.
The secretary-general “underlined the importance of the US-UN partnership and stressed the need for the two to work closely together on major issues like the global economic crisis, climate change, food security and in the resolution of regional crises, particularly those in the Middle East and Africa,” the statement said.
“The secretary-general and the US president discussed the ongoing efforts at UN reforms and the organization’s need for adequate political support and funding.”
“The secretary-general was encouraged by the US president’s assurance of strong support as the organization makes further progress in this direction,” the statement said, adding, “They also looked forward to mutual visits.”
Later in the day, the UN chief “also had a very cordial conversation with (US) Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in which they discussed issues of multilateral interest and importance such as food security, the Darfur peace process, climate change and management reform in the UN”, the statement added.
The two leaders also discussed greater cooperation in UN reform and budgetary issues as well as mutual visits, according to the statement.
“The secretary of state emphasized the importance of working together with the UN in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Iraq,” it added.