The International Year of Youth is being launched today in the General Assembly Hall with an eclectic event of speeches, musical performances, videos and poetry. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be on hand with welcoming words to kick off the Year, which runs from 12 August 2010 to 11 August 2011 under the theme “dialogue and mutual understanding”.

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at a ceremony marking International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, in New York, 9 August:

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, in New York, 9 August:

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on International Youth Day, observed 12 August:

Millions around the world would give 67 minutes of community service in tribute to Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy, for the 67 years he dedicated to a fair and just society, said South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mshsabane, at a gathering of the General Assembly today.

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for Nelson Mandela Day, to be observed on 18 July:

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Day of Cooperatives, observed on 3 July:

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for World Population Day, to be observed on 11 July:

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, to be observed 26 June:

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for United Nations Public Service Day, to be observed 23 June: