UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon held discussions about issues affecting children in the developing world with a Plan delegation at his New York Office

The delegation, was led by Paul Arlman, Chairman of Plan's International Board, and Tom Miller, Plan CEO. They discussed a variety of development issues and how Plan, as a development organization, provides long-term solutions for children in poverty by improving their lives through education, health, child rights, livelihood, shelter, and water and sanitation programs.

The meeting provided the CEO and Chairman with the opportunity to update the new Secretary General on the progress of Plan's Universal Birth Registration Campaign. Millions of children have now been registered as a direct result of the Campaign, launched in 2003 under his predecessor, Kofi Annan.

The UN chief, who is familiar with Plan's work from his time as a diplomat, welcomed our cooperation with UN agencies, our contribution to development, and especially our work with children. On a broader note, he raised his concerns about the increasing vulnerability of humanitarian workers around the world in response to discussion of Plan's recent involvement in major humanitarian disasters such as the Tsunami, the Pakistani earthquake, floods/hurricanes in Central America and famine/hunger in Africa.

The thirty-minute meeting was held in a very warm atmosphere and ended with the Secretary General congratulating Plan on our 70th birthday and wishing us continued success in the future.