FORMER world leaders including Irish Bertie Ahern and Ukrainian Viktor Yushchenko will be at the Celtic Manor from today until Friday this week discussing ways to create a more peaceful world.

The veteran politicians will join leaders in business and health at the InterAction Council to discuss the response to crises such as ebola and the civil war in Ukraine.

Established in 1983, the council is an independent organisation which uses the expertise of former world leaders to tackle political, economic and social problems. This will be the first time leaders have met in the UK.

The two-day annual meeting will bring together over 20 former heads of state and government from countries including Nigeria, Malaysia, New Zealand, Jordan, Argentina and Greece as well as leading academics and policy makers. On the agenda will be Russia-Ukraine, the response to global health emergencies, and the economy.

The event will be the latest high-profile conference held at the Celtic Manor, following on from September’s NATO Summit last year which brought Barack Obama to the city and the international investment conference held last November.

Among the delegates, former Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern won three elections in a row for Fianna Fail from 1997 onwards. Former Ukrainian president Mr Yushchenko took a pro-Western approach while in power, pushing for closer relationships with the EU. He was allegedly poisoned by dioxin and still bears the scars today. Viktor Zubkov, formerly prime minister of Ukraine, will join him in talks. Bill Clinton and John Major are not due to attend, however, despite being members of the council.

Risca Male Voice Choir and Bassaleg School Choir will greet delegates at the opening ceremony before a keynote speech on the “Present State of the World” from Former Leader of the House of Lords, Rt. Hon. the Baroness Margaret Jay of Paddington.

The Forum will give 100 young people from schools across south-east Wales the opportunity to question the leaders, before taking part in mock councils debating the issues of the main meeting.

Guests will have an opportunity to visit the Roman Fortress, Roman Baths Museum and National Roman Legion Museum in nearby Caerleon, as well as to dine at Cardiff Castle in a dinner hosted by the Welsh Government.

InterAction Council co-chairman Jean Chrétien said: “In the InterAction Council’s 32-year history we have met in cities around the world, and yet this will be our first time meeting in the United Kingdom. We look forward to our time in Wales, where we will examine some of the important issues facing Europe and the world.”