Mayor meets top UN official

Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng yesterday met Awni Behnam, the United Nations Commissioner General for Expo 2010, at Hengshan Picardie Hotel.

Preparations have run smoothly for Expo 2010, said Han. Pavilions on the Expo site are expected to be completed by next February, start testing in March and begin trial operations in April, Han added.

Han also said Shanghai will join hands with Expo participants to create a "successful, outstanding and unforgettable" Expo 2010.

Han said that Behnam's attendance at the South-South-GATE (Global Assets and Technology Exchange) Convention 2009 was significant and signaled a creative new way of cooperation between Shanghai and the UN.

Han also hoped that Shanghai and UN would further cooperate on the basis of this convention.

Behnam thanked Shanghai Municipal Government for its support to the UN's participation in Expo 2010 next year and believed it would be the best ever World Expo.

During his visit to Shanghai, Behnam also toured Yangpu District with many universities and the Expo site.

Editor: Ruben Shen

Source: http://en.expo2010.cn/a/20090904/000007.htm