PM's Korea visit begins May 16

12 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Diplomatic Correspondent

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will deliver the keynote address at the 66th Commission Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to be held in South Korean city of Incheon. Hasina, who will begin a three-day official visit to South Korea from May 16, is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the ESCAP conference on May 17 and deliver the keynote speech on the relations between developing and developed nations, official sources said. Finding an inclusive and sustainable development way forward will be the focus of the six-day policy discussions on May 13-19 at the annual summit meeting of the leaders of some 60 countries in the regional arm of the United Nations. High-level political leaders will attend the meet to agree on the next steps for Asian economic recovery and develop strategy for sustainable economic growth and a green future. The government representatives of the Asia-Pacific region at their meet in Songdo Convensia Convention Center, Incheon Metropolitan City, are also to agree on joint economic and financial policies to transform Asia's sharp rebound from the global economic crisis into a permanent repositioning of the region in the global economy. During her visit to South Korea, the premier will hold a summit with President Lee Myung-bak, which will take place at Cheong Wa Dae and focus on strengthening bilateral economic and energy ties. The leaders will also discuss the ways to boost their partnership on climate change, the financial crisis and other global issues, foreign ministry officials said. The prime minister is also due to attend a reception in Seoul hosted by Korean economic associations.