Anixneuseis

UN chief speaks out; Nasa tests new spacecraft; US and China discuss trade; Europe’s leaders hold summit; designs on display in Tokyo; informal talks on nuclear weapons

By Financial Times

Monday
OCTOBER 26

UN chief speaks out
Ban Ki-moon, United Nations secretary-general, discusses climate change, human rights, nuclear and security threats at an event organised by the World Affairs Council in Seattle.

Creative industry meets
The UK’s first Creativity and Business International Network conference opens at Watford, Hertfordshire (until October 28). Leaders from the creative sector will discuss financing, online business and creative rights.

Tuesday
OCTOBER 27

Nasa tests new spacecraft
The first test flight of Ares I-X, Nasa’s spacecraft and launch vehicle, is due to take place from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The craft is the means by which the agency intends to return to the moon and eventually explore Mars.

Central European meeting
The parliamentary assembly of the Central European Initiative begins a three-day session in Bucharest. The CEI brings together 18 countries to further political, economic, and cultural co-operation.

Rice industry gathers
Rice production and trade prospects are to be discussed at the three-day World Rice Conference in Cebu, Philippines.

Middle East goes ‘green’
The Alter Energy Convention begins in Dubai (until October 29), focusing on development of sustainable energy sources and technology in the Middle East.

Jewellery on show
International jewellery designers are displaying their work at the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show in Sharjah (to October 31).

Nordic gathering
The Nordic Council’s 61st session opens in Stockholm (until October 29). The main issue for political leaders will be the role of the region in European Union co-operation.

Progress analysed
The World Forum of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development begins in Busan, South Korea, at which international experts will discuss ways of combining economic progress with social and environmental wellbeing.

Gender gaps revealed
The World Economic Forum in Geneva releases its annual study of gender gaps. The report analyses and ranks 134 economies on the gaps between women and men.

Wednesday
OCTOBER 28

China-US trade talks
The US-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade holds two days of talks in Hangzhou. The US delegation’s priorities include intellectual property rights, clean energy, medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

EU combats poverty
The European Union launches its Year of Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion with a two-day conference in Brussels. Nearly 80m EU residents are classified as living in poverty.

Scientific co-operation
The need for scientific co-operation between Europe and the US is to be addressed by Dr Alan Leshner, chief executive of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, at a lecture in Brussels.

Household trade show
Asian and European suppliers of home decor and household products, plus office stationery, display their wares at the three-day Mega Show in Hong Kong.

Mozambique votes
The country holds presidential, national and provincial elections.

Refugee prize for Kennedy
The United Nations refugee agency awards its 2009 Nansen prize postumously to Senator Edward Kennedy in Washington, citing his work in establishing US admission and resettlement policies.

Thursday
OCTOBER 29

European summit
Europe’s political leaders assemble in Brussels for the two-day European Council summit. Issues due to be discussed include progress on the Lisbon treaty, climate change, and financial supervision.

Business book prize
The Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year prize is announced in London.

Consultancy awards
The Management Consultancies Association holds its Consultant of the Year Awards ceremony in London.

Bollywood stages festival
The Mumbai Film Festival opens (until November 5), showing a range of cinema.

Friday
OCTOBER 30

Designers display in Japan
Tokyo Designers Week begins, incorporating trade shows and exhibitions featuring the work and products of leading designers (to November 3).

Saturday
OCTOBER 31

Ideas put to the test
The two-day Battle of Ideas festival opens in London, at which social, political and economic issues are debated. Participants in economic discussions include the economist Lord Robert Skidelsky and Martin Wolf, FT chief economics commentator.

Sunday
NOVEMBER 1

Nuclear dialogue
The China-US Strategic Nuclear Dialogue begins in Beijing (until November 3), at which experts from the two nations hold informal discussions to improve mutual understanding on nuclear weapons issues.

Fuels from solar power
Scientists developing biological and chemical approaches that utilise solar energy for fuel production share their findings at a conference in Sigtuna, Sweden (until November 5).

New York marathon day
The 40th running of the city’s marathon is staged.

Abu Dhabi makes F1 debut
The Formula One season ends with the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the new Yas Marina circuit.

Run-out for veteran cars
The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, the annual event open to pre-1905 vehicles, sets off.

Time change in US
Daylight saving time ends in the US, and clocks are moved back one hour.

preview@ft.com