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Increasing delays in the dual identification and electoral processes is imperilling the hard-won peace in Côte d’Ivoire, which is rebuilding after a brutal 14-year civil war, the top United Nations envoy to the West African nation cautioned today.

Urgent action is required to respond to the “worst disaster in the last 100 years” to strike Haiti, the United Nations relief chief reported today, warning that aid agencies remain far short of the millions they need to help the country recover after four deadly hurricanes this year left 800 people dead and affected another 1 million.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced forthcoming loans for Hungary and Ukraine – the latter potentially receiving up to $16.5 billion – to strengthen both countries’ financial systems and ensure fiscal sustainability.

Environmental cooperation, the impact of the global financial crisis on United Nations efforts to slash poverty and the role of women in tackling climate change will be on the agenda when Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro heads to Seoul tomorrow for an official visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Some 35 Sudanese media professionals have completed a United Nations-sponsored journalism training programme in the eastern city of Kassala to improve their skills in such areas as reporting, interviewing, covering elections and operating in hostile environments.

Propelled by this year’s global food crisis, nearly one billion people worldwide are now hungry, an independent United Nations expert said today, urging the issue to be viewed through the lens of human rights.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed today’s initiative of regional leaders in Southern Africa to hold a summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, to resolve the outstanding issues to a power-sharing deal for a new government in the troubled and impoverished country, warning of the humanitarian consequences if the impasse does not end soon.

The senior United Nations envoy to Somalia has welcomed the agreement between the country's transitional government and Islamist rebels on a ceasefire to end their deadly conflict, the establishment of a unity government and military forces and the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops.

Child artists from around the world have raised $21,000 for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to spend on climate-related disasters by auctioning off 26 of their paintings in New York last night.

Survivors of this season's four devastating hurricanes in Haiti will receive a boost from the United Nations fund set up to help in the wake of major disasters, the UN relief chief has announced after visiting the struggling Caribbean country.