The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will push for more effective measures for global economic and financial recovery, UN reforms, Millennium Development Goals and anti-terror convention during his visit to the United Nations. Dr Singh will be leaving for New York on Monday to participate in the High Level Segment of the 66th UN General Assembly Session. He will be leading a high-level delegation that includes External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T K A Nair.

Briefing reporters in New Delhi yesterday, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai said, the present UN General Assembly Session was taking place at a time of continuing global economic and financial uncertainties. He said the food and fuel prices are at their peak, and the impact was being felt most severely by developing countries which are struggling to alleviate poverty and improve the living standards of its people. Mr Mathai said India would emphasise the immediacy of effective measures to deny terrorists, possible access to Weapons of Mass Destruction material. Besides, the Indian delegation would also be actively participating in the UN high-level event on Nuclear Safety and Security. He said, the recent terrorist attack in New Delhi had once again served as a reminder of the constant threat posed by terrorism to the security of democratic societies and wellbeing of its citizens.

Referring to socio-political upheaval in West Asia and North Africa, Mr Mathai said, India as Member of the UN Security Council would continue to encourage political and diplomatic processes for solutions to the problems of member nations.

The Prime Minister will be visiting New York from September 22nd to twentysixth. He will address the UN General Assembly on September 24th.The Prime Minister is also likely to hold bilateral meetings with number of visiting Heads of State and Government during his stay in New York.