UNITED NATIONS, Jan 23 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama telephoned U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday and expressed strong support for the United Nations as it seeks to reform itself, the world body said.

A U.N. statement said Ban stressed the importance of a U.N. partnership with Washington and the need to work closely together on the global economic crisis, climate change, food security and crises in the Middle East and Africa.

The two men "discussed ongoing efforts at U.N. reforms and the organization's need for adequate political support and funding," the statement said. Ban "was encouraged by the U.S. President's assurance of strong support as the organization makes further progress in this direction," it added.

Ban returned on Wednesday from an eight-day tour of the Middle East linked to the conflict in Gaza and this was believed to be his first contact with the new U.S. president since Obama was inaugurated on Tuesday.

The United Nations had an at times troubled relationship with the former U.S. administration of George W. Bush, which was critical of some U.N. activities, but Ban has said he hopes to improve ties under Obama.

The U.N. statement said Ban and Obama "looked forward to mutual visits."

It said Ban also had a "very cordial conversation" on Friday with new Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, although it did not say who initiated the call. They discussed food security, Sudan's Darfur region, climate change and U.N. management reform.

"The secretary of state emphasized the importance of working together with the U.N. in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Iraq," the statement said. (Reporting by Patrick Worsnip, editing by Patricia Zengerle)

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