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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) visits the UN Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo

Shanghai Expo offers 'invaluable' ideas for tackling today's challenges – Ban

31 October 2010
The 2010 World Expo may be coming to a close but the ideas it has provided over the past six months are “invaluable” to tackling some of today's biggest challenges, including rapid urbanization, climate change and sustainable development, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in Shanghai on Sunday.
Special Representative Young-jin Choi

Long-awaited Ivorian polls off to good start, says UN envoy

31 October 2010
The head of United Nations operations in Côte d'Ivoire said on Sunday that he is encouraged by the start of voting in the West African nation's long-awaited presidential elections.
Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative for Somalia

Somalia: UN envoy calls on new prime minister to form government

31 October 2010
The United Nations envoy for Somalia on Sunday called on the country's new Prime Minister, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, to form his government and move forward on meeting the challenges in the strife-torn Horn of Africa nation.
Staffan de Mistura, who heads the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.

UN sets up expert group to support Afghan peace efforts

31 October 2010
The United Nations mission in Afghanistan announced today that it has set up a group of experts to support the crucial work of a newly-formed council tasked with finding ways to ensure lasting peace in the country.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) with Prime Minister Thein Sein of Myanmar

Upcoming polls must be inclusive, Ban tells Myanmar's leader

30 October 2010
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday urged that the upcoming elections in Myanmar be as inclusive, participatory and transparent as possible to ensure a credible transition to a civilian democratic government, as he met with the country's Prime Minister, Thein Sein.
From right: Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias, Alexander Downer and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu

Cypriot leaders slated to meet with UN chief in New York next month

30 October 2010
The leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities are scheduled to meet with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 18 November in New York as part of the United Nations-backed talks aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island, the world body announced today.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Ban calls intimidation of UN-backed Lebanon tribunal ‘unacceptable’

29 October 2010
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned this week’s attack against three staff members of the United Nations-backed tribunal set up to try suspects in the 2005 murders of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others, calling such acts of interference and intimidation “unacceptable.”
Survivors of sexual violence in the DR of Congo during hearings held by a UN Panel of Experts

UN envoy urges probe into alleged rapes during expulsions from Angola to DR Congo

29 October 2010
Following reports of alleged rapes of women deported from Angola to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a senior United Nations official has called on both countries to investigate the incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Women and children at the Sultan Colony camp, near the city of Multan, in Pakistan

More resources urgently needed for Pakistan flood relief efforts, UN stresses

29 October 2010
United Nations humanitarian agencies today called for urgent additional resources for the flood relief efforts in Pakistan, warning that millions are at risk of not having enough food, shelter and warm clothing as winter approaches.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at a press conference in Hanoi, Viet Nam

Myanmar: top UN officials call for credible democratic transition

29 October 2010
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today repeated his call for a credible democratic transition in Myanmar, with the United Nations human rights chief stating that, eight days before scheduled elections, conditions in the country do not meet international standards for free and fair polls.