UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is to travel to Europe to attend the World Economic Forum In Davos and the London Conference on Afghanistan, UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric announced Friday.

Dujarric told reporters at the daily briefing that Annan will leave New York for Switzerland on Saturday, where he plans to visit the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne and FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) in Zurich before attending the World Economic Forum in Davos.

In Davos, the secretary-general is scheduled to make remarks at the opening media lunch on the subject of "The Impact of Sports in the World," he said, adding that Annan is also expected to give a speech at a plenary session titled "A New Mindset for the United Nations."

The secretary-general will make a short trip to The Hague, where he is scheduled to attend the UNDP Global Management Meeting, and then travel to London, where he plans to meet with the principals of the Middle East Quartet.

According to the spokesman, Annan is also scheduled to co-chair with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and British Prime Minister Tony Blair the London Conference on Afghanistan, which he says "is an excellent opportunity to send a signal to the Afghan people that the outside world continues to share their goals as they build a democracy that respects the rights of all."

Also in London, he will deliver a speech at a meeting in Central Hall, Westminster, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the first meetings of the UN General Assembly and Security Council.

Source: Xinhua