Northern Ireland’s First and Deputy First Ministers are to attend a special meeting convened by former US president Bill Clinton about boosting the economy, it was announced today.
The gathering in a New York hotel this week will also include Declan Kelly, the North's new economic envoy from the US, Secretary of State Shaun Woodward and Minister for Foreign Affair's Micheál Martin.
It will form part of the fifth annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting, with discussions focusing on how to attract more investment and jobs to the North.
"I am honoured that some of the key figures who exercised political leadership to secure devolved government in Northern Ireland will join me at the annual meeting next week," Mr Clinton said. "I am looking forward to a stimulating and frank discussion about the region."
First Minister Peter Robinson, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and other panellists will also discuss how local businesses can reach US markets.
Boosting entrepreneurship in young people and highlighting how the North can be seen as an inspiration to other post-conflict economies will also be on the agenda. The session will last an hour and take place on Wednesday.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams will also attend. "The CGI is a unique event which succeeds in highlighting important global issues but it is action orientated and seeks commitments from participants which can make a real difference in peoples lives," he said.
The annual CGI meeting convenes world leaders from government, private enterprise, and the civil sector to develop and implement solutions to major challenges around the world.