PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Former Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell is delivering a speech about the Middle East at the University of Southern Maine.

Mitchell gives the keynote speech Wednesday night at the annual Wright Express Leadership and Creativity Event Series at USM’s Hannaford Hall. His speech is entitled, “Understanding the Middle East and Its Significance on the World Stage.”

Mitchell was President Barack Obama’s special envoy to the Middle East from 2009 until May. He previously served as a U.S. senator from Maine.

USM President Selma Botman, who is a scholar on the Middle East, will join Mitchell to offer commentary.