LONDON, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said it's time for concrete steps by Iran to show that they are willing to live within the rules of the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that have been so important in limiting nuclear proliferation over the last 40 years.

    Miliband is expected to join British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other government ministers for a series of high level meetings in New York this week for the 64th UN General Assembly, Foreign Office announced on Monday.

British Foreign Minister David Miliband (L) shakes hands with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the United Nations headquarters in New York September 21, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Nuclear non-proliferation is high on the agenda with U.S. President Barack Obama chairing a UN Security Council meeting to discuss nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and ministers from Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia and the U.S. meeting ahead of talks with Iran on Oct. 1.

    Miliband said "This week in New York I will chair a meeting of the foreign ministers of those six countries as we prepare for this very important meeting of political directors on the 1st of October."

    Miliband also explained why this week is so important for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, saying that "This is one of the most critical issues we face. Get it right, and we will increase global security, pave the way for a world without nuclear weapons and improve access to affordable, safe and dependable energy -- vital to tackle climate change. Get it wrong, and we face the spread of nuclear weapons and the chilling prospect of nuclear material falling into the hands of terrorists."

    Brown and Miliband will also be strongly supporting President Obama's efforts aimed at launching a new round of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority with the Quartet meeting later in the week.

    The prime minister said world leaders attending the General Assembly and the upcoming G20 must agree to common action to prevent climate change, fight terrorism, overcome poverty, secure prosperity and end nuclear proliferation.

    This Tuesday will be dominated by the UN Secretary General's high level event on climate change which is the last chance for world leaders to come together and send the vital message that they are ready to "seal the deal" in Copenhagen this December.