NEW YORK -- The chiefs of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon (right) and World Bank met on Thursday and agreed to work closely to address global challenges, such as sustainable growth, development, energy and health issues.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon held a one-hour, closed meeting with Jim Yong Kim, new president of the World Bank, at the U.N. headquarters. It was the first time the two Korean-born international organization leaders have a one-on-one meeting since Kim assumed World Bank‘s chief post on July 1.

“The U.N. and World Bank are the strongest partners to work for world peace and development agenda,” Ban said in a briefing. “I’m very happy to work with Kim, who is a prominent educator and expert in health and development.”

Kim, the Korean-born physician and former Dartmouth College president, is known for his lifetime efforts to address health problems in the developing world, especially treatment of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

Ban said the two international organizations will play a key role in achieving the sustainable development, developing renewable energy and solving global health problems. 

(Yonhap News)