On January 16, 2012, visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Abu Dhabi.

During their talks, Wen said currently the world economy sees slow recovery, turbulence still persists in some regions and global issues including climate change, energy security, and food security are becoming increasingly prominent. The United Nations had played an indispensable role in boosting international cooperation and coordinated actions among related parties. China supports the UN and the Secretary General to play a bigger role in international affairs and achieve greater success, he said.

In promoting global sustainable development, the UN and the international community needed to focus on the elimination of poverty, help developing countries properly cope with the difficulties in their drive to transfer to a green economy, coordinate economic and social development and environmental protection and provide them with support in such areas as finance, technology and capacity building, Wen said.

Ban said the world situation is undergoing profound and complicated changes. China had played an important role in helping attain the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and settle regional hot issues. Appreciating China's support for the UN, Ban said the United Nations stood ready to advance contacts with China and make concerted efforts to safeguard world peace and promote sustainable development.

They also exchanged views on the situation of West Asia and North Africa and other regional issues of common concern.