President Jacob Zuma and US President Barack Obama have held talks in Washington DC on agriculture, HIV/Aids and security in Africa, the Presidency said on Monday.

Zuma, who arrived in Washington DC on Sunday to attend a two-day summit on nuclear security, met Obama at the US President's guest house, Blair House.

"President Zuma held a bilateral meeting with Obama at Blair House, the President's guest house shortly after his arrival," the Presidency said.

"The meeting followed discussions between the two Presidents at the Group of Eight (G8) Summit in L´Aquila, Italy in July last year.

"It covered a number of bilateral issues, including strengthening cooperation on areas like agriculture and HIV/ Aids.

"They also discussed the promotion of African peace and security within the ambit of the African Union and United Nations."

Zuma was received at Andrews Air Force Base on Sunday by senior US and South African government officials.

The summit, which would take place on Monday and Tuesday, was being convened by Obama to find effective measures to secure nuclear material and to prevent nuclear terrorism.

"South Africa maintains that it is important for countries to pool their resources and work together through strengthened multilateral institutions to combat all forms of organised transnational crime, including terrorism," the Presidency said.

"South Africa has consistently condemned acts of terrorism and shares the international community's concern over nuclear security."

Zuma was accompanied to the summit by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Energy Minister Dipuo Peters and State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele.