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Prime Minister Fukuda Holds Talks with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Monday, June 30, 2008 JAPANESE

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Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda invited His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Mrs. Ban (Yoo) Soon-taek, to a welcome ceremony in the South Garden of the Prime Minister's Office, upon the Secretary-General's Official Visit to Japan. Afterwards, Prime Minister Fukuda and Secretary-General Ban held talks and exchanged opinions on various issues. At the meeting, Prime Minister Fukuda requested Secretary-General Ban's cooperation on the climate change issue, so as to establish an effective framework in which all the major economies, including emerging countries, participate in a responsible manner. On the issue of the surge in food prices, Prime Minister Fukuda stated his wish to send out a strong message at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit on increased food production, biofuels, and export restrictions, among other matters. The Prime Minister further explained to the Secretary-General Japan's initiatives for developing systems to actively dispatch personnel to peace-building activities, including the dispatch of Self-Defense Force personnel to the Headquarters of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). In response, Secretary-General Ban expressed his strong appreciation. At the joint press announcement held after the talks, Prime Minister Fukuda said, "We had a very useful meeting today. Secretary-General Ban welcomed Japan's efforts to address issues such as climate change and the surge in food prices. As the Chair of the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit next week, I am committed to make even further efforts for the peace and development of the international community, based on the results of the recent 4th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) and other fora. Related link: Japan and the United Nations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)