UN Secretary-general Ban Ki- moon will formally observe the opening of the new Temporary North Lawn
Building at the UN Headquarters next Monday morning, a UN spokesman said here on Friday.
Ban will cut a ceremonial ribbon at the inauguration and speak at the occasion along with officials representing the General Assembly and the host country, Martin Nesirky told a regular press briefing.
Ban relocated his office on Monday from the 38th floor of the historic Secretariat building to the 3rd floor of a temporary swing space as part of
the multiyear renovation of the United Nations Headquarters.
Altogether 272 occupants will move to the just completed Temporary North Lawn Building. They are scheduled to return to the renovated Secretariat and Conference Buildings in 2012.
After an official ground breaking ceremony in May 2008, cranes and earthmovers begun changing the landscape of the 50-plus-year- old complex, designed by Le Corbusier and a host of other prominent architects. Prior to the current renovations, the complex had undergone only minor changes since its completion in 1950.
From mid-2009 until the completion of the renovation, the temporary North Lawn Building will house conference facilities while the existing
Conference and General Assembly Buildings undergo renovation. It will also provide swing space for the secretary-general and his executive office.