A United Nations human rights expert is headed to Myanmar for a week-long follow up investigation into the Government's efforts to ensure the genuine exercise of civil liberties and overall developments in the administration of justice in the country.

A top United Nations rights official has wrapped up a two-week visit to Central Asia with a stop in Turkmenistan, where he urged decision-makers to step up cooperation with human rights institutions and activists to help address widespread allegations of grave violations of human rights.

Nane Annan, wife of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, participated today in the Third World Water Forum in Kyoto, Japan, where experts have gathered to seek ideas to forestall a future water crisis caused by population growth, pollution and climate change.

Representatives from the United Nations and Cambodia today began intensive talks in Phnom Penh on a draft agreement for a special court to try former leaders of the Khmer Rouge.