President Mahinda Rajapaksa attended 2011 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in New York yesterday morning (September 20).

Established in 2005 by former US President Bill Clinton, the CGI is a premier global gathering for current and former heads of state, chief executives of corporations, philanthropists and directors of non-profit organizations.

Former President Clinton warmly received President Rajapaksa and thanked Sri Lanka for the cooperation extended in forming the CGI.

During this seventh meeting in New York, participants will discuss a detailed plan for addressing major global challenges in the areas of economic empowerment, education, environment and energy, and global health.

Several leaders including US President Barack Obama, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, South African President Jacob Zuma, General Secretary for National League for Democracy Aung San Suu Kyi, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu will participate in the two-day meeting.

During yesterday's meeting, the Standars Chartered Bank announced that it will raise US$ 100 million by 2020 to build sustainable eye-care services across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The plenary session led by former President Clinton was focused on climate change.