Press release

The high-ranking international functionary will start with an official visit to Santiago, Chile, from 5-7 November. During his stay he will meet with Chilean president Ricardo Lagos, on 6 November, at the Moneda presidential palace, after which the two will hold a joint press conference at 11.30 am.

Annan will also meet with presidents of both chambers of the National Congress, Senator Andrés Zaldívar, who will hold a luncheon in his honour, and Deputy Isabel Allende. Later, he will visit the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) where he will meet with staff from United Nations system agencies present in Chile.

On 7 November, the UN Secretary-General will participate in a top-level round table called "The global context and the renewal of the United Nations", at ECLAC headquarters (Raul Prebisch Conference Room, Avda. Dag Hammarskjöld 3477, Vitacura), with President Tarja Halonen, President of Finland, also on an official visit to Chile, and the President of Chile, Ricardo Lagos.

After visiting Chile, Kofi Annan will also conduct official visits to Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, where he will attend the 13th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, 14-15 November 2003.

For more information, please contact ECLAC/UN Information Services in Santiago, Chile. E-mail: dpisantiagoeclac.cl; Tel: (56-2) 210-2380/2149; Fax: (56-2) 228-1947.