国际英语新闻:UN chief visits Mozambique on MDGs, DRC talks

MAPUTO, May 20 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday started a two-day visit to Mozambique, during which he will exchange views with Mozambican officials on issues such as the U.N. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Ban met with Veronica Macamo, the Mozambican speaker of parliament, on Monday upon his arrival. The UN chief is expected to participate in a roundtable meeting with the theme of "Future we want -- MDG's Post 2015 and Agenda 2025" and meet President Armando Guebuza on Tuesday, according to the itinerary.

The Mozambican president currently holds the rotating presidency of the 14-member regional bloc -- the Southern African Development Community (SADC), of which the DRC is a member.

The meeting with Guebuza will address the preservation of peace and stability of the country and peace in the DRC. Guebuza has played a leading role in signing an agreement to that effect in February, the Mozambican news agency AIM said.

Mozambique is the first leg of Ban's African trip. He will visit the DRC on May 22-23, Rwanda on May 23-24 and Uganda on May 24, according to the UN.