United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on the world's academic community to find solutions to global hunger, poverty and intolerance.

Mr. Ban told an international forum in the South Korean capital Wednesday that there can be no peace, justice and dignity in the world if billions of people are forced to live in chronic poverty. He urged academics, students and governments to search for underlying causes of crises like the one faced by more than 11 million people in the Horn of Africa.

Joining a group of dignitaries, Mr. Ban also attended the opening of a photo exhibition intended to attract support for the U.N. development goals for poor countries.

Later, Mr. Ban met with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak for talks on climate change, regional issues and possible South Korean contribution to U.N. peace and development efforts. During a dinner at the Presidential Blue House, the U.N. chief congratulated South Korea on its successful hosting of the G20 summit in November and on winning its bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.

He also expressed thanks for South Korea's prompt contribution of drought aid for eastern Africa.

Mr. Ban, who is a native of South Korea, arrived in Seoul Tuesday, for the first time since being re-elected in June to head the world body for a second five-year term.