France's Nicolas Sarkozy to lay out ambitious G20 goals in speech

PARIS - French President Nicolas Sarkozy will spell out his plans for reforming the international monetary system and curbing volatility in food and fuel prices on Monday in a keynote speech on France's year-long G20 presidency.

The address, billed as the official launch of his ambitious agenda, will present the findings of whirlwind consultations with G20 leaders including President Hu Jintao and US President Barack Obama on the three key areas of France's presidency.

Seeking to capitalize on his G20 leadership to improve his dire poll ratings at home, Sarkozy is expected to be most specific about measures to tackle high commodities prices, rather than his designs for overhauling the world's monetary system and reforming global economic governance.