The United Nations will host a major conference on the long-term recovery efforts for Iraq Saturday at its main headquarters in New York.

Ban Ki-moon

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will co-chair the ministerial session with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Representatives from 20 nations will participate in the conference, including many of Iraq's neighbors, such as Iran, Kuwait and Syria.

The meeting will focus on a resolution adopted by the General Assembly last month to expand the U.N.'s presence in Iraq. Also on the agenda is the International Compact on Iraq, a five-year economic and political recovery strategy.

Mr. Ban told reporters earlier this week he will urge the U.N. member states to follow through on their pledges of support for Iraq.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will attend today's conference.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.