UN RELIEF CHIEF MEETS WITH TRIBAL ELDERS AND PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS IN AFGHANISTAN

UN RELIEF CHIEF MEETS WITH TRIBAL ELDERS AND PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS IN AFGHANISTAN New York, Jun 28 2008 7:00PM The United Nations relief chief today met with local officials and tribal elders in Kunar province in eastern Afghanistan on the third day of his visit to assess the humanitarian situation in the impoverished and strife-torn country.

John Holmes, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, discussed the current fighting between international forces and insurgent anti-Government groups during his talks with tribal elders, according to a press release issued by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The elders told Mr. Holmes that they were caught in the middle of the conflict, enduring civilian casualties as a result of operations by both the international forces and the anti-Government groups, home searches by international forces, and arrests and detention without charge.

The Under-Secretary-General also met with the Governor of Kunar and seven members of the Provincial Council, including three women. This group stressed the importance of the international forces in helping to maintain law and order and said they wanted to see more aid agencies working in the area, which borders Pakistan.

Today Mr. Holmes also visited a provincial hospital being run by a non-governmental organization (NGO), meeting with hospital staff and patients, before returning to the national capital, Kabul, for the next part of his visit.

Mr. Holmes is touring Afghanistan with Elizabeth Rasmussen, Executive Director of the Norwegian Refugee Council, who is representing an NGO consortium known as the International Council of Voluntary Associations (ICVA).

The visit is aimed in part at highlighting the difficulties faced by aid agencies in assisting Afghans in need, particularly in the south, where the security situation is the most fragile and the Taliban and other groups have been especially active.

"I have been honoured by the warm welcome extended by all the Afghans I have met so far," Mr. Holmes said. "Seeing first-hand their problems -- as well as their progress -- has underscored the importance of improving the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need."

2008-06-28 00:00:00.000

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LYON JOINS UN CULTURAL NETWORK OF CITIES THANKS TO EXPERIENCE WITH DIGITAL MEDIA

LYON JOINS UN CULTURAL NETWORK OF CITIES THANKS TO EXPERIENCE WITH DIGITAL MEDIA New York, Jun 28 2008 6:00PM Lyon has become the first French city to join a United Nations network of cities set up to help promote their cultural, social and economic development in diverse fields ranging from literature and cinema to gastronomy and folk art.

Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), announced yesterday that Lyon has been selected as the tenth member of the Creative Cities Network. It is also the first in the network to be designated as a "City of Media Arts."

Lyon's long-standing experience with digital media and culture, particularly digital games, was critical to the decision by a panel of experts from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to accept the French city's application, UNESCO said in a statement. Many companies that specialize in this field are based in Lyon.

The city's public sector also devotes up to 20 per cent of its cultural funding to media arts, while Lyon itself is renowned for its annual festivals, including the Festival of Lights (Fête de la Lumière) and the Sound Nights (Nuits Sonores), a music event.

The Creative Cities Network was launched by UNESCO in October 2004 to give cities in both rich and poor countries a platform to present their cultural assets and an opportunity to exchange and explore the know-how, information and experience of other cities, particularly in maintaining cultural heritage.

Network members can be designated in one of seven categories: literature, cinema, music, crafts and folk art, design, media arts and gastronomy.

Edinburgh in the United Kingdom has been appointed as a City of Literature, Italy's Bologna and Spain's Seville are recognized for music and Popayán in Colombia has been designated for gastronomy. Montreal, Buenos Aires and Berlin were chosen as Cities of Design and Aswan in Egypt and Santa Fé in the United States were selected in the field of crafts and folk art.

Another 20 cities around the world have applied to join the Creative Cities Network and are awaiting evaluation.

2008-06-28 00:00:00.000

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UN HEALTH AGENCY TO SET UP PERMANENT OFFICE IN IRAQI CAPITAL

UN HEALTH AGENCY TO SET UP PERMANENT OFFICE IN IRAQI CAPITAL New York, Jun 28 2008 6:00PM The United Nations health agency is establishing a permanent office in Baghdad as part of the world body's efforts to provide greater support to the Iraqi people, the senior UN official in the country announced today.

Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General's Special Representative and the head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), said the move by the World Health Organization (WHO) should help to ease the humanitarian plight of Iraqis.

WHO's representative in Iraq, Nae'ema Al-Gasseer, will be permanently based in Baghdad.

"We will continue to provide more support to the Iraqis through our programmes in many areas of activity," Mr. de Mistura said in a statement, voicing his appreciation to WHO for its decision.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who has said he would like the UN to have an expanded presence in Iraq, has increased the number of staff in both Baghdad and the northern city of Erbil, while still taking strict measures to deal with the security situation.

2008-06-28 00:00:00.000

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STARTING ASIA TRIP, BAN KI-MOON LANDS IN KYOTO, WHERE CLIMATE PACT WAS FORGED

STARTING ASIA TRIP, BAN KI-MOON LANDS IN KYOTO, WHERE CLIMATE PACT WAS FORGED New York, Jun 28 2008 4:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived today in the Japanese city of Kyoto, where a major climate change treaty was forged over a decade ago, kicking off a two-week, three-nation official visit to East Asia which will culminate with his participation at the annual summit of Group of Eight (G-8) industrialized countries in Hokkaido early next month.

Mr. Ban said he had chosen Kyoto as his first stop because he wanted to "send out a very symbolic political message from the place where the Kyoto Protocol was adopted more than 10 years ago." He told journalists travelling with him that "Kyoto will provide me with a good opportunity to speak to the world." The Secretary-General will give a lecture on climate change at Kyoto University on Sunday.

Mr. Ban said he was also attracted by Kyoto's history and heritage. On Saturday, he and his wife, Yoo Soon-taek, attended a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. They are scheduled to visit a World Heritage Shinto shrine and a Buddhist temple on Sunday.

Mr. Ban said he was very excited by his first visit to Japan as the Secretary-General. "Japan's leadership cannot be more important than today as it is assuming the presidency of the G-8," he noted.

The Secretary-General said he would count on Japan's leadership at the G-8 summit in the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido to come up with concrete measures to address three pressing, interrelated challenges: the global food crisis, climate change, and the race to reach the global anti-poverty targets -- the Millennium Development Goals - by the deadline of 2015.

Mr. Ban pointed out that while he would not expect solutions to be reached all at the same time, he was convinced that the most important outcome of the upcoming summit would be for the leaders of the world's richest countries to unite to galvanize political will.

"We have resources; we have technologies. I think what is missing is largely political will. If we have united political will, I am sure we will be able to overcome these crises," said Mr. Ban.

On climate change Mr. Ban said he was impressed with all the national initiatives the Japanese government had taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, he voiced hope that all these measures could be incorporated into the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process.

Parties to the UNFCCC are currently conducting negotiations aimed at producing a successor agreement by the end of next year - the first-round commitments under Kyoto Protocol will expire in 2012.

The Secretary-General will have an audience in Tokyo on Monday with the Emperor and Empress of Japan. In addition, hold meetings with Crown Prince Naruhito, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura.

After Japan, Mr. Ban will visit China and the Republic of Korea before returning to Japan for the G-8 summit.

2008-06-28 00:00:00.000

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SECURITY COUNCIL APPLAUDS CENTRAL AFRICAN PEACE ACCORD WITH REBEL GROUPS

SECURITY COUNCIL APPLAUDS CENTRAL AFRICAN PEACE ACCORD WITH REBEL GROUPS New York, Jun 27 2008 7:00PM The Security Council today welcomed the recent peace agreement reached by authorities in the Central African Republic (CAR) and two rebel groups operating in the impoverished and strife-torn country.

In a statement to the press, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad of the United States, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month, said last Saturday's accord must now be fully implemented as part of efforts to bring peace to the CAR.

The Government struck an agreement with the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) and the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD) after talks in Libreville, Gabon, facilitated by that country's President El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba.

Today's press statement thanked both Mr. Bongo and Libyan President Col. Muammar Al-Qadhafi for their efforts to bring peace to the CAR, which has been beset by widespread fighting and armed banditry in recent years.

Some 200,000 Central Africans have been either internally displaced by the fighting or forced to live as refugees in neighbouring Chad and Cameroon.

Last year the Security Council established a multidimensional UN presence in eastern Chad and north-eastern CAR (known as MINURCAT) to try to quell the humanitarian suffering.

Mr. Khalilzad warned that the political, economic and humanitarian situation inside the CAR remains fragile, despite the peace agreement, and he welcomed the placing of the CAR on the agenda of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, which strives to help post-conflict countries avoid sliding back into war or chaos.

He also called on other rebel groups in the CAR to reach peace deals with the Government.

The press statement followed a briefing to the 15-member Council by François Lonsény Fall, the Secretary-General's Special Representative.
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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UN ENVOY STRESSES ROLE OF SPORTS AS UNIFYING FORCE AMONG NATIONS, PEOPLES

UN ENVOY STRESSES ROLE OF SPORTS AS UNIFYING FORCE AMONG NATIONS, PEOPLES New York, Jun 27 2008 5:00PM Sports can help bring people together, as witnessed by major international competitions such as the Soccer World Cup and the Olympic Games, the United Nations envoy tasked with promoting sport for development and peace said today.

"Sport is a universal language that unites people and breaks down barriers, whether they are ethical, religious, economic or social," Wilfried Lemke <"http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs//2008/080627_Lemke.doc.htm">told reporters, as he briefed them on his activities during his first few months as the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace.

A former athlete and sports teacher, Mr. Lemke added that sports have a vital role in society, as they teach fundamental values such as discipline, fair play, confidence and tolerance.

He also echoed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in noting that sports can be an instrument to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the set of anti-poverty targets world leaders pledged to achieve by 2015.

He had a chance to witness how sports can be used to promote development during a recent visit to Africa that took him to the poor townships in South Africa and the slums of Kenya's capital Nairobi, where his Office had some initiatives for children in partnership with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Mr. Lemke will be lacing up his running shoes in November, when he plans to participate in the New York City Marathon to raise money for a project in Nairobi.

Prior to that, the Special Adviser will be heading to Beijing for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. He will be chairing a meeting of the International Working Group on Sports for Development and Peace ahead of the Olympic opening ceremony on 8 August.

Later today in New York, he will be meeting with the Group of Friends of Sport for Development and Peace, an informal group of 36 ambassadors to the UN.
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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SECRETARY-GENERAL DEPARTS FOR OFFICIAL VISIT TO JAPAN, CHINA AND REPUBLIC OF KOREA

SECRETARY-GENERAL DEPARTS FOR OFFICIAL VISIT TO JAPAN, CHINA AND REPUBLIC OF KOREA New York, Jun 27 2008 5:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon heads today to Japan to start a two-week official visit to three countries in East Asia that will culminate in his participation at next month's annual summit of Group of Eight (G-8) industrialized countries.

Mr. Ban will deliver a lecture on climate change at Kyoto University on Sunday, and the following day he will have an audience in Tokyo with the Emperor and Empress of Japan. He will also hold meetings with Crown Prince Naruhito, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura.

The Secretary-General travels on Tuesday to China, where he is slated to hold meetings with President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, as well as with the United Nations Country Team. He is also expected to visit Olympic Games sites and speak at the Foreign Affairs University in Beijing.

On Thursday, Mr. Ban will arrive in Seoul, where he will meet President Lee Myung-bak, Prime Minister Han Seung-soo and Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and lead a seminar on climate change at the National Assembly.

Seoul National University is conferring an honorary degree on the Secretary-General, who will also attend a Model UN event at Cheongju University.

Mr. Ban then returns to Japan for the final leg of his trip, the G-8 summit at Toyako, Hokkaido, where he will attend sessions on climate change and development for Africa. He will also speak with students at Hokkaido University.
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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ZIMBABWE: UN ENVOY HOLDS TALKS WITH REGIONAL LEADERS ON POLITICAL STRIFE

ZIMBABWE: UN ENVOY HOLDS TALKS WITH REGIONAL LEADERS ON POLITICAL STRIFE New York, Jun 27 2008 4:00PM A United Nations envoy is continuing to hold talks with Southern African leaders about the troubled political and humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe, where the run-off round of presidential elections is being held today despite international objections.

Haile Menkerios, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, held talks yesterday in Luanda with Angola's President José Edoardo dos Santos. Today he is expected to meet Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete in Dar-es-Salaam.

Mr. Menkerios is then slated to travel to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, for the current African Union (AU) summit.

The diplomatic efforts are taking place as the run-off round of the presidential election is staged today in Zimbabwe, which has been beset by deadly unrest and deteriorating humanitarian conditions since the first round of elections was held on 29 March.

Violence and intimidation directed towards the opposition forces led to the withdrawal of Morgan Tsvangirai, the candidate of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), from today's run-off, in which he was set to face President Robert Mugabe.

Many MDC activists have reportedly been killed or injured in recent weeks and human rights defenders and staff with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been harassed.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said this week that the run-off should have been postponed given the current circumstances, as a free and fair poll could not be held.

Describing the crisis as "a perversion of democracy," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has also voiced deep concern and called for the perpetrators of political violence to be brought to account for their crimes.

Mr. Ban and Mr. Menkerios have said they will continue to work with the AU and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to ensure a satisfactory and non-violent resolution to the current crisis.
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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MULTILATERALISM THE FOCUS ON SECOND DAY OF ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO AUSTRIA

MULTILATERALISM THE FOCUS ON SECOND DAY OF ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO AUSTRIA New York, Jun 27 2008 4:00PM The importance of effective multilateralism, the need for United Nations reform and the fight against human trafficking were all high on the agenda during talks with Austrian leaders and UN officials on the second day of General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim's official visit to the European country.

Mr. Kerim and Austrian President Heinz Fischer discussed the value of multilateralism and the ongoing efforts to reform the UN during their meeting today, according to a statement released by Mr. Kerim's office. They also talked about the priority issues of the current session of the 192-member Assembly.

Mr. Kerim also toured the UN headquarters in Vienna and held separate meetings with the heads of the various international agencies that are based in the Austrian capital.

This included Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (<"http://www.unodc.org/">UNODC); Tibor Tóth, Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (<"http://www.ctbto.org/">CTBTO); Yoshiteru Uramoto, Deputy Director General of the UN Industrial Development Organization (<"http://www.unido.org/">UNIDO); and Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (<"http://www.iaea.org/">IAEA).

Mr. Costa and Mr. Kerim discussed human trafficking during their meeting while Mr. Uramoto and the Assembly President focused on system-wide coherence within the UN.

Mr. Kerim will stay in Austria through Monday for further meetings, discussions and public events, before heading to Italy and then the United Arab Emirates. He has already visited Switzerland and Liechtenstein on this trip.
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL TO FOCUS ON AID EFFECTIVENESS, WORLD ECONOMY

UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL TO FOCUS ON AID EFFECTIVENESS, WORLD ECONOMY New York, Jun 27 2008 4:00PM The United Nations Economic and Social Council (<"http://www.un.org/ecosoc/julyhls/index.shtml">ECOSOC) will stage policy dialogues on development cooperation, the state of the world economy and its impact on the UN's development agenda during its High-Level Segment next week.

As part of the week's events, the Development Cooperation Forum will bring together representatives from governments, the private sector, inter-governmental organizations (NGOs), and academia.

"We'll be looking at development assistance from a global perspective and will examine the relationship between donor countries and recipient countries on the effectiveness and quality of aid," President of ECOSOC President Léo Mérorès said.

In a high-level policy dialogue, executive heads of the international financial and trade institutions will discuss the state of the world economy and its implications for development.

"We are focusing now on the major challenges the world is facing today – climate change, food and energy prices, the precarious state of the world economy, and development aid," Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said.

"These issues are essential for development and they're important to all countries – developing and developed – to all societies," he added.

The Annual Ministerial Review will bring four developing and four developed countries to report on development progress. Ministerial roundtables will address the question of how to put the world onto a sustainable development path.

Amongst others, keynote speakers will include Rajendra Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and Lord Stern of Brentford, author of the Stern Review on the economics of climate change.
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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INTERNATIONAL DAMAGE CLAIMS EXPERT TO SERVE ON VIENNA-BASED UN BODY

INTERNATIONAL DAMAGE CLAIMS EXPERT TO SERVE ON VIENNA-BASED UN BODY New York, Jun 27 2008 3:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has decided to appoint Ronald J. Bettauer of the United States to the three-member Board of the United Nations Register of Damage caused by the Construction of the Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (UNRoD).

Mr. Bettauer, a prominent international expert in all aspects of damage claims processing and registration, will replace Michael Raboin who died in April of this year, UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters.

He will serve in his personal capacity on the Board, tasked with the overall responsibility for the establishment and maintenance of the Register – which was called for by the General Assembly in a 2004 resolution, after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concluded that Israel violated various international laws by constructing the barrier, which destroyed homes, businesses and agriculture.

As a policymaking organ, the Board would establish the rules and regulations governing the work of the office of the Register, determine eligibility criteria, categories of damage and the procedure of registration of claims, and have the ultimate authority in determining the inclusion of damage claims in the Register.

The Board, which also includes Harumi Hori of Japan and Matti Paavo Pellonpää of Finland, is expected to meet again next month in Vienna to proceed with its work.

Also today, Mr. Ban decided to appoint Oscar de Rojas of Venezuela as the Executive Secretary of the follow-up meeting to the 2002 International Conference on Financing for Development, held in Monterrey, Mexico.

The meeting, to be held from 29 November to 2 December 2008 in the Qatari capital, Doha, will assess progress made since the adoption of the Monterrey Consensus – a series of measures to help impoverished countries and promote economic growth around the globe.

Mr. de Rojas is currently the Director of the Financing for Development Office in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA: UN ENVOY HOLDS TALKS ON NAME ISSUE

FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA: UN ENVOY HOLDS TALKS ON NAME ISSUE New York, Jun 27 2008 3:00PM A United Nations envoy has held talks today in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which is involved in a long-standing dispute with neighbouring Greece over its name.

Matthew Nimetz, the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, met today with the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and other officials from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and heard detailed assessments of their latest positions.

Yesterday Mr. Nimetz had what he said was a "good meeting" with the Greek Foreign Minister and other Greek officials in Athens. No specific new proposals were put forth but the "outline of a solution" was discussed.

Mr. Nimetz has frequently held talks with the two sides in recent months – including a round earlier this month in New York – to try to reach a deal, but he said in March that there has been no progress on the issue, despite an acknowledgement by both sides that a solution was in their best interests.

The Interim Accord of 13 September 1995, which was brokered by the UN, details the difference between Athens and Skopje on the name issue. It obliges the two sides to continue negotiations under the Secretary-General's auspices in a bid to reach agreement.
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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UN COMMISSION ON GLOBAL FOOD STANDARDS TO HOLD ANNUAL MEETING

UN COMMISSION ON GLOBAL FOOD STANDARDS TO HOLD ANNUAL MEETING New York, Jun 27 2008 1:00PM Standards for powdered milk formula, toxins in cereals, the use of flavourings, listings of ingredients, gluten-free foods, frozen food and shellfish are all on the agenda for the annual meeting of the United Nations Commission on international food standards, which begins on Monday.

The body, known officially as the Codex Alimentarius Commission, was established in 1963 by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (<"http://www.fao.org/">FAO) and the UN World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/mediacentre/en/">WHO) to set food standards to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade.

In a statement released today, the Commission said that one of the 30 texts to be adopted this year, the "Code of Hygienic Practice for Powdered Formulae for Infants and Young Children," aims at protecting infants and small children who for any reason cannot be breastfed. The code sets maximum limits for bacteria in formula and guidance on how to produce, distribute and prepare powdered formula.

The Commission said that its standards, "when introduced in national legislation, contribute to the safety of our foods."
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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UN TRIBUNAL GRANTS PROVISIONAL RELEASE TO TWO FORMER SENIOR SERBIAN OFFICIALS

UN TRIBUNAL GRANTS PROVISIONAL RELEASE TO TWO FORMER SENIOR SERBIAN OFFICIALS New York, Jun 27 2008 1:00PM The United Nations war crimes tribunal set up in the wake of the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s has ordered the temporary provisional release of two former high-level officials with the Serbian secret service facing trial on charges that include murder, persecution and illegal deportations.

Jovica Staniši&#263; and Franko Simatovi&#263; were granted provisional release by the trial chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (<"http://www.un.org/icty/">ICTY) on 26 May, but the decision had been stayed until yesterday after the prosecution appealed the initial ruling.

The ICTY appeals chamber has already ordered that the trial of the two men be adjourned for at least three months because of the ill-health of Mr. Staniši&#263; and that his health must be re-assessed before the trial can resume.

Mr. Staniši&#263; and Mr. Simatovi&#263;, both high-levels with the Serbian secret service, are accused of having directed, organized, equipped, trained, armed and financed secret units of the Serbian State Security which are alleged to have murdered, persecuted and deported Croats, Bosnian Muslims, Bosnian Croats and other non-Serb civilians from Bosnia and Herzegovina and from Croatia between 1991 and 1995.

Mr. Staniši&#263; was also a close aide to the former Yugoslav and Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevi&#263;.
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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BAN URGES ACTION IN EAST ASIA ON CLIMATE CHANGE, FOOD SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT GOALS

BAN URGES ACTION IN EAST ASIA ON CLIMATE CHANGE, FOOD SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT GOALS New York, Jun 27 2008 1:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on Japan and the Republic of Korea to step up their efforts on climate change, food security and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in a speech to the Japan Society and the Korea Society in New York.

"We need countries such as Japan and the Republic of Korea to offer concrete measures to address three pressing, interrelated challenges: the global food crisis, climate change, and the race to reach the Millennium Development Goals by the deadline of 2015," Mr. Ban <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3255">said at last night's event.

Referring to the global crisis caused by soaring food prices, Mr. Ban called on both countries to deliver on a full range of immediate food assistance over the next 18 months, minimize export restrictions on food commodities, cut agricultural subsidies and to increase the share of Official Development Assistance (ODA) from its current level of three per cent to 10 per cent.

"When the Group of Eight leaders meet in Hokkaido next month, they have a moral obligation to support the UN's efforts to address the food crisis, in the short-, medium-, and long-term. But they also have a self-interested motivation," the Secretary-General said. "If not addressed, high food prices may drive more than 100 million more people into poverty. If the crisis is not brought under control, it risks unleashing large population movements, instability and inflation throughout the world."

On climate change Mr. Ban called on Japan and the Republic of Korea to "show real leadership" by focusing on ongoing negotiations to produce a new deal at next year's summit in Copenhagen.

On the <" http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs – a set of anti-poverty targets to be achieved worldwide by 2015 – Mr. Ban called for greater attention to be given to the goal of improving maternal health, which he said was the "slowest moving target of the MDGs."

As well as increasing aid levels, especially for Africa, the Secretary-General said the international community, Japan and the Republic of Korea included, should build comprehensive primary health care systems, ensure universal access to reproductive health services, mobilize against AIDS, malaria TB and neglected tropical diseases, and provide funding for 120 million desperately needed insecticide-treated bed nets.

The Secretary-General also applauded the agreement among Japan, the Republic of Korea and China to hold their first trilateral summit, and to cooperate on climate change, the food and energy crisis and assistance to Africa.

"All three are working together as part of the multilateral six-party talks on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, a process that carries the most realistic promise to defuse one of the gravest security threats in the region," he added.
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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MONITORING OF CHILD RIGHTS VIOLATIONS FOCUS OF UN ENVOY'S VISIT TO AFGHANISTAN

MONITORING OF CHILD RIGHTS VIOLATIONS FOCUS OF UN ENVOY'S VISIT TO AFGHANISTAN New York, Jun 27 2008 1:00PM The United Nations advocate for the protection of children caught up in armed conflict will leave tomorrow for a six-day visit to Afghanistan during which she will launch a system to monitor and report on violations of child rights in the battle-scarred nation.

Radhika Coomaraswamy, the Secretary-General's <"http://www.un.org/children/conflict/english/index.html">Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, will be accompanied by Louis Georges Arsenault, Director of the Office of Emergency Programs in New York for the UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org">UNICEF).

During the visit, Ms. Coomaraswamy will inaugurate the monitoring and reporting mechanism called for by the Security Council in a resolution adopted in 2005 that called for scrutinizing six grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict.

They are the killing or maiming of children, recruitment or use of children as soldiers, rape and other grave sexual abuse of children, abduction of children, attacks against schools or hospitals, and denial of humanitarian access for children.

The mechanism has already been set up in a number of strife-torn countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Somalia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Sudan.

In assessing the impact of conflict on Afghanistan's children, the Special Representative will pay particular attention to the issues of attacks on girls' schools, children associated with anti-Government elements, including the Taliban, and their detention for alleged association with these groups.

She is expected to take up these issues when she meets with Government officials, religious and tribal leaders, the UN Country Team, members of civil society and children affected by conflict.
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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UN AGENCY INCREASES AID TO RURAL POOR IN CAPE VERDE

UN AGENCY INCREASES AID TO RURAL POOR IN CAPE VERDE New York, Jun 27 2008 12:00PM The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is providing $4.2 million to boost a programme tackling rural poverty in the West African island nation of Cape Verde.
The supplementary loan will bring total IFAD funding to US$13.5 million for the programme, which aims to assist poor rural people to integrate into the country's fast-growing economy.
"This model programme is becoming a major national policy instrument to fight poverty in rural areas" <" http://www.ifad.org/media/press/2008/34.htm">said Mohamed Béavogui, Director, West and Central Africa Division of IFAD.

"It will help implement Cape Verde's Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy and serve as a laboratory to develop effective approaches to community-driven development in other countries in the region."
The goal is to assist about 60,000 poor rural people, particularly women, through improving food security and market access as well as productivity in agriculture, fisheries and livestock.
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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UN OBSERVER FORCE IN GOLAN HEIGHTS TO CONTINUE FOR FURTHER SIX MONTHS

UN OBSERVER FORCE IN GOLAN HEIGHTS TO CONTINUE FOR FURTHER SIX MONTHS New York, Jun 27 2008 12:00PM The Security Council today extended for another six months the United Nations force observing the more than three-decade-old ceasefire between Israel and Syria on the Golan Heights.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the Council decided to renew the mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/undof/">UNDOF) until 31 December 2008, as recommended by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

In his latest <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2008/390">report on the Force's activities, Mr. Ban noted that the situation in the Israel-Syria sector has remained generally quiet. At the same time, "the situation in the Middle East is tense and is likely to remain so, unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem can be reached," he stated.

He considered UNDOF's continued presence "essential," given the ongoing tension in the region.

The Force was established in May 1974 to supervise the disengagement accord between Syrian and Israeli forces after their 1973 war.
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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SCHEME FOR SAFE DISPOSAL OF OLD COMPUTERS LAUNCHED AT UN MEETING

SCHEME FOR SAFE DISPOSAL OF OLD COMPUTERS LAUNCHED AT UN MEETING New York, Jun 27 2008 11:00AM Old computer equipment can now be disposed in a way that is safe to both human health and the environment thanks to a new initiative <" http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=538&ArticleID=5845&l=en">launched today at a United Nations meeting on hazardous waste that wrapped up in Bali, Indonesia.

The Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment (PACE) will provide a forum for governments, industry leaders, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and academia to tackle the disposal of old computer equipment, including through global recycling schemes.

Its launch comes at the end of the ninth meeting of parties to the 1989 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, which met to consider new guidelines for getting rid of old computer equipment, mobile phones and other "e-waste" in an environmentally sound manner.

Among other things, PACE will develop technical guidelines for proper repair, refurbishing and recycling of old computer equipment, including criteria for testing, labelling of refurbished equipment and certification of environmentally sound repair, refurbishment and recycling facilities.

"All stakeholders, including original equipment manufacturers, consumers and recyclers, have a role in promoting environmentally sound management of used and end-of-life equipment," according to a news release about the initiative, which said that 100 tons of used computers could generate up to 39 tons of steel and 21 tons of other metals such as copper, aluminium and gold.

"The technology and skills are available to promote proper repair and refurbishment that can extend use, provide employment, and make valuable equipment available to the poor," it added.

Participants at the five-day meeting also looked at guidelines proposed by the Basel Convention Mobile Phone Partnership Initiative, which was launched in 2002 and brings mobile phone manufacturers and service providers together with the Convention.
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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UN AGENCY CONCERNED OVER REFUGEE RETURN TO LAOS FROM THAILAND

UN AGENCY CONCERNED OVER REFUGEE RETURN TO LAOS FROM THAILAND New York, Jun 27 2008 11:00AM The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has written to the Thai Government expressing concern over the repatriation of 837 Lao Hmong from Thailand last Sunday, saying it has doubts as to the voluntary nature of the return.

The agency <"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/4864b8b04.html">says the operation came after a mass protest by thousands of Lao Hmong who broke out of a camp in Phetchabun Province run by the Thai Army.
UNHCR said the lack of transparency and the absence of any third party to monitor the return operation made it impossible to verify the voluntary nature of the repatriation.
A group of eight leaders and their families appear to have been deported against their will, according to the agency, which would be a breach of the principle that no refugee or asylum-seeker should be forced to return to a country where they could face persecution.
The repatriation of the remaining 819 who were sent back to Laos on Sunday evening appears to have taken place in conditions that raise doubts about the meaningful exercise of voluntary choice, and without any prior adjudication of asylum claims, UNHCR said.
The agency added that it had never had access to a group of about 8,000 Lao Hmong in Ban Huay Nam Khao camp in Phetchabun Province, and had long urged that a proper screening be done to identify which of the group are in need of international protection.
UNHCR has offered to help the Thai and Lao Governments in managing the situation, restoring confidence and guaranteeing the appropriate transparency in the search for humanitarian solutions for the Lao Hmong.
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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ENSURING INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY KEY CHALLENGE FOR PAKISTAN, SAYS UN RIGHTS CHIEF

ENSURING INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY KEY CHALLENGE FOR PAKISTAN, SAYS UN RIGHTS CHIEF New York, Jun 27 2008 10:00AM Establishing an independent judiciary and protecting human rights while ensuring national security are among the major challenges currently facing Pakistan, the UN human rights chief said today, adding that she was confident the country has both the resources and resilience to overcome them.

"I am conscious this is an incredibly challenging period of Pakistan's history, as it attempts to manage its transition to democracy, and balance and stabilize its key state institutions, while simultaneously grappling with global economic difficulties and standing on the front line in the global fight against terrorism," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour <"http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/27F09F387BE68D24C1257475004582EA?opendocument">said following a three-day visit.

During the trip – her last before stepping down at the end of the month as the UN's top human rights official – Ms. Arbour met with the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Minister of Law and Justice, as well as with representatives of civil society, UN agencies and the diplomatic community.

Stressing that an independent judiciary is fundamental to a functioning democracy, she noted that "the current judicial crisis in Pakistan, centred on the composition of the Supreme Court, risks paralyzing the new government's ability to address other critical policy challenges."

She urged the parties to find a solution to the issue as soon as possible. "However, in the process of restoring the Supreme Court judges it will be important not to compromise in any way the Court's long term independence and remedial powers," she cautioned.

In addition, she encouraged the Government to drop all outstanding charges against those human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers and political activists who were detained during the state of emergency declared last November.

The High Commissioner also stressed the responsibility of the Government to ensure the protection of civilians as it pursues various strategies to deal with security threats. "On the one hand, we have seen human rights violations in the context of counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations, including hundreds of unresolved cases of people disappearing, apparently not of their own free will," she noted.

"On the other hand, peace deals with some militant groups have undermined state authority in the areas controlled by the militants, leaving local people vulnerable to a range of very serious human rights abuses ranging from social restrictions to attacks on minorities and extra-judicial killings," she added, noting that women and girls are particularly affected.

In the midst of these challenges, Ms. Arbour said she was deeply impressed by the "historic" mobilization of Pakistan's civil society – including the lawyers' movement, human rights activists, political parties and trade unions – in defense of democracy and the rule of law. "This movement has had a transformative effect on people's consciousness of their human rights and their ability to affect change."

In addition, she hoped the country's "vibrant and diverse" media will continue to play an important role in holding the government accountable to the people. "Taken together, the courage and commitment shown by all these actors give me hope that the country has both the internal resources and resilience to surmount the many major challenges that lie ahead," she stated.

The High Commissioner was also encouraged by the Prime Minister's recent announcement that he intends to push for thousands of death sentences to be commuted. She has urged the Government to join the global movement towards a moratorium on the use of the death penalty and, as a first step, to considerably reduce the number of offenses for which capital punishment can be imposed in Pakistan.
2008-06-27 00:00:00.000

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UN-BACKED PROJECT TO HELP THOUSANDS OF RURAL POOR IN AZERBAIJAN

UN-BACKED PROJECT TO HELP THOUSANDS OF RURAL POOR IN AZERBAIJAN New York, Jun 26 2008 8:00PM More than 22,000 poor households in north-western Azerbaijan are expected to benefit from a new United Nations-backed scheme to strengthen local irrigation systems, improve farming methods and widen access to rural finance.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is providing a loan of $17 million to finance the project, worth over $32 million, under an agreement with the Azerbaijani Government.

The project is focused on four districts in the northwest -- Agstafa, Gazakh, Shamkir and Tovuz -- according to a press statement released by IFAD today.

IFAD's country programme manager for Azerbaijan, Abdallah Rahman, said the project aims to boost the production, productivity and competitiveness of smallholders.

"The project will enhance the capability and self-reliance of communities to look after their own affairs and plan and implement their own development initiatives more effectively," Mr. Rahman said.

Households in north-western Azerbaijan depend heavily on irrigated agriculture but the irrigation systems are currently in decline because of lack of maintenance, neglect and a shortage of funds.

The project will rehabilitate the dilapidated infrastructure and will also help farmers involved in both crops and livestock diversify their incomes and have greater access to finance.

2008-06-26 00:00:00.000

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UN ENVOY HOLDS TALKS ON FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA NAME ISSUE

UN ENVOY HOLDS TALKS ON FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA NAME ISSUE New York, Jun 26 2008 6:00PM The United Nations envoy tasked with mediating the long-running dispute between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over the name of the latter country has held consultations today in Athens with senior Greek officials.

Matthew Nimetz, the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, said he had a "good meeting" with Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and other senior officials. While no specific new proposals were submitted, the "outline for a solution" was discussed.

Mr. Nimetz is scheduled to be in Skopje tomorrow for meetings with President Branko Crvenkoski, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and other officials from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Mr. Nimetz has frequently held talks with the two sides in recent months – including a round earlier this month in New York – to try to reach a deal, but he said in March that there has been no progress on the issue, despite an acknowledgement by both sides that a solution was in their best interests.

The Interim Accord of 13 September 1995, which was brokered by the UN, details the difference between Athens and Skopje on the name issue. It obliges the two sides to continue negotiations under the Secretary-General's auspices in a bid to reach agreement.
2008-06-26 00:00:00.000

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UN AGENCIES RESUME FOOD RELIEF FOR IRAQI REFUGEES IN SYRIA

UN AGENCIES RESUME FOOD RELIEF FOR IRAQI REFUGEES IN SYRIA New York, Jun 26 2008 5:00PM The United Nations World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/english/">WFP) and the UN refugee agency said today that they have resumed food distributions to tens of thousands of Iraqi refugees in the Syrian capital, Damascus, after a two-month interruption.

The first 1500 families received food baskets containing basic foodstuffs on Tuesday and Wednesday. At least 150,000 people are expected to benefit over the next month.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/4863bbf64.html">UNHCR) has opened a new distribution warehouse in Douma in the capital, after an earlier distribution site was closed down.

"The idea is that we centralize the assistance we offer to refugees living in Damascus. We are effectively offering a field service to refugees so that they can collect food and financial assistance from the same place where they can meet community service staff and protection officers," said UNHCR Senior Programme Officer Ayman Gharaibeh.

A total of 4.7 million Iraqis have been uprooted as a result of the crisis in their country. Of these over 2 million are living as refugees in neighbouring countries – mostly Syria and Jordan – while 2.7 million are internally displaced inside Iraq.

Rising food and fuel prices, the seasonal rise in rents and diminishing savings are resulting in more and more Iraqi refugees becoming reliant upon assistance from the UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations.

A former gold merchant called Mohamed told UNHCR that food assistance was now his only source of support. "We can't work, can't travel, can't dream. At least keep me alive and, please, don't ever delay this distribution again," he said.

But UNHCR says it is facing a major challenge in meeting the growing needs. The agency has only received half of the funds it needs for its operations in Syria this year. Without additional funds, outreach work with the Iraqi population is likely to be limited.
2008-06-26 00:00:00.000

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KOSOVO MISSION HAS 'GREEN LIGHT' TO START RECONFIGURATION, SAYS UN ENVOY

KOSOVO MISSION HAS 'GREEN LIGHT' TO START RECONFIGURATION, SAYS UN ENVOY New York, Jun 26 2008 4:00PM The top United Nations official in Kosovo said today that the plan put forward by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to reconfigure the world body's presence there was set to begin.

In the wake of Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in February, Mr. Ban has proposed adjusting the profile and structure of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (<"http://www.unmikonline.org/">UNMIK).

His proposals include an enhanced operational role for the European Union in the area of rule of law under a UN "umbrella" headed by the Secretary-General's Special Representative and in line with the 1999 Security Council resolution that established the mission.

The Secretary-General's newly-appointed Special Representative, Lamberto Zannier, said he now had a "green light from New York" to proceed with the UNMIK's reconfiguration.

Speaking to the press after a meeting with Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu, Mr. Zannier said that the conditions now existed for him to start moving towards a 120-day reconfiguration period, most likely finishing at the end of October.

The transition will result in the substantial reduction of the structures of UNMIK, in line with the new realities on the ground and the role that new actors are expected to play, added the Special Representative, who took up his duties in Pristina last Friday.

A reconfigured UNMIK, according to Mr. Ban's plan, would continue to carry out many functions, including those related to a dialogue with Serbia on provisions in six areas: police, courts, customs, transport and infrastructure, boundaries and Serbian patrimony.

UNMIK has been in place since mid-1999 after NATO forces drove Yugoslav troops out of Kosovo, where ethnic Albanians outnumber Serbs and other minorities by nine to one, that year amid deadly inter-communal fighting.
2008-06-26 00:00:00.000

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LIFE OF UN ENVOY ALIOUNE BLONDIN BEYE CELEBRATED ON ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH

LIFE OF UN ENVOY ALIOUNE BLONDIN BEYE CELEBRATED ON ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH New York, Jun 26 2008 4:00PM World leaders, diplomats, senior United Nations officials, former colleagues, relatives and friends of Alioune Blondin Beye have gathered in New York to remember the life of the UN envoy killed 10 years ago today as he worked to advance the peace process in Angola.

An hour-long memorial was held at UN Headquarters this morning to celebrate Maitre Beye, who was killed in a plane crash in Côte d'Ivoire – along with seven other people – while serving as the Secretary-General's Special Representative for the Angolan peace process.

Maitre Beye, a former Malian foreign minister and secretary-general of the African Development Bank, died while making one of his frequent missions in the region to build support for an end to the civil war that had engulfed Angola for decades and killed half a million people.

On Tuesday, UN spokesperson Michele Montas said Maitre Beye's life "was the ultimate symbol of selflessness and dedication to the common humanity of all people… [he] touched the lives of all those who knew him, and was beloved by millions of Malians, Angolans and other peoples of Africa and beyond for his selfless dedication to peace, justice, human rights and national reconciliation."

Today's memorial, which included speeches, a poem and a remembrance song, was organized by the permanent missions of Mali and Angola, the International Crisis Group and the UN Department of Public Information (DPI).
2008-06-26 00:00:00.000

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BETTER PROTECTION URGED FOR DETAINED AFGHAN CHILDREN FOLLOWING UN-BACKED STUDY

BETTER PROTECTION URGED FOR DETAINED AFGHAN CHILDREN FOLLOWING UN-BACKED STUDY New York, Jun 26 2008 3:00PM Children held in detention in Afghanistan continue to face violations of their rights, including maltreatment and lack of access to education and health services, according to a United Nations-backed study which highlights the need to ensure better protection for young people in conflict with the law.

"A punitive and retributive approach to juvenile justice seems to be still predominant in Afghanistan," the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said of the study, which was carried out by the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission with help from the agency and which was released yesterday in the capital, Kabul.

UNICEF's Representative in Afghanistan, Catherine Mbengue, said the study – which contains data gathered from 22 provinces over a one-year period – offered an opportunity to evaluate the existing services for children in conflict with the law.

Among other recommendations, the study urges full implementation of the Juvenile Code adopted by the Government in 2005, which incorporates the basic principles of juvenile justice found in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), to which Afghanistan is a State party.

UNICEF has been supporting the Government's efforts to implement the Code through awareness-raising and training among law enforcement and judicial bodies.

"UNICEF strongly advocates measures to prevent and reduce detention or imprisonment of children and prevention programmes involving communities and children at risk," said Ms. Mbengue.

"We need to invest more to prevent children coming into conflict with the law while we continue to assist children already in detention," she noted.

<"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_44625.html">UNICEF and the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission will be holding a workshop for judicial officials to discuss the recommendations of the study in an effort to improve the situation of detained children within the Afghan justice system.

Information for the study was gathered from Kabul, Kapisa, Parwan, Logar, Ghazni, Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar, Takhar, Baghlan, Kunduz, Samangan, Balkh, Herat, Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Urozgan, Bamiyan, Sari Pool, Panjshir, and Daikundi.

Meanwhile, the top UN humanitarian official has arrived in Kabul today for a five-day visit, during which he is scheduled to travel to several parts of the country to meet a variety of people, including returnees, who face hardship as a result of conflict and natural disasters, including severe winters and crop failure.

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes will also be meeting with senior Afghan officials and representatives from both the Afghan military and those from the multi-national forces deployed in the country, during which he is expected to raise the issues of humanitarian access and protection of civilians.

Mr. Holmes, who is also UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, will also hold discussions with senior officials of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (<"http://www.unama-afg.org/">UNAMA), UN agencies, the Afghan Red Crescent, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and representatives from the donor community.

Talks with the Government and UN agencies will also focus on the global food crisis, as Afghanistan is one of the countries severely affected by the recent surge in prices of basic commodities such as wheat and rice. A special task force on food security consisting of the Government, the UN and other development agencies has already been set up.
2008-06-26 00:00:00.000

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UNICEF APPEALS FOR $49 MILLION FOR DROUGHT-AFFECTED ETHIOPIA

UNICEF APPEALS FOR $49 MILLION FOR DROUGHT-AFFECTED ETHIOPIA New York, Jun 26 2008 3:00PM The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has appealed for $49 million to assist families in Ethiopia where drought has left 75,000 children severely malnourished and 4.6 million people in need of immediate humanitarian aid.

After completing a visit to Ethiopia UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Hilde F. Johnson said today that the situation in the hardest-hit areas of the country is extremely serious.

"Children are now at risk of dying in numbers in several areas if help is not provided urgently. The Government and partners are doing their utmost to help, but needs are not being met with adequate speed. More resources need to be provided."

Ms. Johnson visited Gurage Zone in Ethiopia and met with families who had been affected by the drought.

"We talked to mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers and all actors in the field," she said. "This picture was confirmed by all of them and a clear message was conveyed: there is no food. The assistance needs to be taken to scale and it has to happen urgently."

She added that Government officials were reporting that children were already dying in villages where they had no access.

Earlier this month the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revised its appeal for Ethiopia to at least $325 million to meet the growing demand for aid. The $49 million requested by UNICEF is for immediate humanitarian interventions.
2008-06-26 00:00:00.000

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DPR KOREA'S SUBMISSION OF ITS NUCLEAR DECLARATION 'VERY ENCOURAGING' - BAN

DPR KOREA'S SUBMISSION OF ITS NUCLEAR DECLARATION 'VERY ENCOURAGING' – BAN New York, Jun 26 2008 3:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the submission by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) of the declaration of its nuclear programmes to China as a "very encouraging development" in efforts towards the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

Today's submission by the DPRK, "followed by the reciprocal actions of the United States, are important steps forward," Mr. Ban said, referring to the announcement by the US that it was preparing to remove the country from its list of State sponsors of terrorism and lift some sanctions imposed on Pyongyang.

The declaration was submitted to China, the chair of the six-party talks – which also include the DPRK, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the US – aimed at achieving the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner.

<"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/offthecuff.asp?nid=1179">Speaking to reporters on the eve of a two-week trip to Japan, China and the Republic of Korea, Mr. Ban also called on all six participants to take this opportunity to expedite movement towards the full implementation of the 2005 Joint Statement, according to which the DPRK would abandon its nuclear programme in exchange for economic aid and security guarantees.

"I strongly support their efforts towards this end," he stated.

When asked about the issue of abductions of Japanese citizens by the DPRK, Mr. Ban said: "With the situation moving in a favourable direction, I sincerely hope that both the Japanese and DPRK will engage in dialogue so that they can resolve this issue in a peaceful manner."

Of the 17 people officially listed as having been abducted by the DPRK, five have returned to Japan, and the DPRK states that of the remaining 12, eight have died and four never entered the country.
2008-06-26 00:00:00.000

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UN AGENCY AND MICROSOFT PLAN INCREASED COLLABORATION

UN AGENCY AND MICROSOFT PLAN INCREASED COLLABORATION New York, Jun 26 2008 2:00PM The head of the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Chairman of Microsoft Bill Gates have discussed enhancing their collaboration on using information technology to spur development around the world.

During a meeting with Microsoft officials in Redmond in the United States, ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré said that connecting the world and fulfilling everyone's fundamental right to communicate could make the world a better and safer place.

"Connectivity must be our focus for the coming years to empower people everywhere with access to information on health care, agriculture and the environment," Dr. Touré told Mr. Gates, according to a statement released by the ITU today. "My dream is to connect the world and I hope that Microsoft will join me in fulfilling this dream."

Dr Touré highlighted the importance of internet safety for children and his plans to launch a global coalition to focus on protecting children in cyberspace. He is seeking collaboration with Microsoft to promote digital literacy in ITU's Internet Training Centres and to make libraries of digital resources available in schools and other institutions in developing countries.

ITU also discussed ways to cooperate with technology companies such as Microsoft to explore the options for shared access and inexpensive information devices, including mobile smartphones and low-cost notebooks.

At the meeting, Mr. Gates emphasized that information and communication technologies are a key component for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He expressed interest in ITU's standardization work, especially on audio and video coding.

In collaboration with Microsoft, ITU has developed an online information platform called "Global View."
2008-06-26 00:00:00.000

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UN WARNS THAT GLOBAL PROGRESS ON ILLEGAL DRUGS IS UNDER THREAT

UN WARNS THAT GLOBAL PROGRESS ON ILLEGAL DRUGS IS UNDER THREAT New York, Jun 26 2008 2:00PM A surge in opium and coca cultivation and the risk of higher drug use in developing countries threaten to undermine recent progress in drug control, according to a report released today by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (<"http://www.unodc.org/unodc/index.html">UNODC).

"Recent major increases in drug supply from Afghanistan and Colombia may drive addiction rates up, because of lower prices and higher purity of doses," Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of UNODC, said today in a statement.

The report says the world's illegal opium production has almost doubled since 2005 and that Afghanistan registered a record opium harvest in 2007. Some 80 per cent of cultivation took place in provinces controlled by Taliban insurgents.

A similar pattern was noted in Colombia where coca cultivation increased by 27 per cent in 2007 – which was still 40 per cent below the peak reached in 2000 – with 5 per cent of the country's municipalities accounting for almost half of all cocaine production.

"In Colombia, just like in Afghanistan, the regions where most coca is grown are under the control of the insurgents," Mr. Costa observed, but he added that the Colombian Government's campaign against drug traffickers had successfully destroyed large-scale coca plots.

Worldwide, the report found that fewer than one in 20 people had tried illegal drugs in the last 12 months and that there were 26 million people with severe dependence – about 0.6 per cent of the planet's adult population.

The global cannabis market is stable or even slightly down. Cannabis herb production is estimated to be 8 per cent lower than in 2004 and cannabis resin production declined by some 20 per cent between 2004 and 2006. Despite this, the report says there are some worrying trends, with Afghanistan becoming a major producer of cannabis resin, possibly surpassing Morocco.

Meanwhile, in developed countries, indoor production is resulting in more potent strains of cannabis herb. The average level of the drug's psychoactive substance almost doubled in the US market between 1999 and 2006.

Use of amphetamine-type stimulants, like methamphetamine and ecstasy, has levelled off globally since 2000, but production and consumption remain a major problem in East and South-East Asia, and markets are beginning to develop in the Near and Middle East.

The report finds that there has been a systematic shift away from the major drug routes, particularly for cocaine. Because of steady demand for cocaine in Europe and improved interdiction along traditional routes, drug traffickers have targeted West Africa.

"States in the Caribbean, Central America and West Africa, as well as border regions of Mexico, are caught in the crossfire between the world's biggest coca producers (the Andean countries) and biggest consumers (North America and Europe)," Mr. Costa warned. "Drug money corrupts governments, and even turns into terrorist financing: promotion of the rule of law is the best way to fight the drug trade."

Assessing organized international attempts to control drugs, this year's "World Drug Report" shows that global opium production is 70 per cent lower than a hundred years ago.

"Drug statistics show that the drug problem was dramatically reduced over the past century, and has stabilized over the past 10 years," Mr. Costa said.

In a related development, a study on drug consumption in six South American countries has found that marijuana is the most widely used drug, mainly among the young population. The average consumption rate in the six countries studied – Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador – was 4.8 per cent, higher than the world average of 3.9 per cent. In all countries consumption was higher among men than women and was concentrated in the 15 to 34 age group.

The study, which was carried out by UNODC and the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission, found that cocaine was the second most consumed drug in 2007, with an average prevalence of 1.4 per cent.

For the three main types of drugs studied - marijuana, cocaine and cocaine base – the report says that a high percentage of consumers in the six countries showed signs of dependency.

"These results clearly illustrate the power of addiction these drugs have, with foreseeable negative consequences. Not only in the personal, family and social context, but also with regard to most of the countries' health systems, where it would be quite challenging to satisfy a massive demand for treatment," the report concludes.
2008-06-26 00:00:00.000

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BAN CALLS FOR RICH NATIONS TO LEAD THE WAY IN FIGHT AGAINST GLOBAL CRISES

BAN CALLS FOR RICH NATIONS TO LEAD THE WAY IN FIGHT AGAINST GLOBAL CRISES New York, Jun 26 2008 2:00PM The world's major industrialized nations must take the lead in efforts to tackle the three interrelated crises of global food insecurity, climate change and development in poor countries, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today on the eve of an official trip that will include his participation in next month's G-8 summit in Japan.

"If ever there were a time to act, together as one, it is now," Mr. Ban <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/offthecuff.asp?nid=1179">told journalists at United Nations Headquarters in New York, a day before he departs for the two-week visit to Japan, the Republic of Korea and China.

"Seldom has the global community been under such stress. The ties that bind us, as humankind, are fraying. We must work especially hard to preserve them, at this critical juncture, in the interests of our common future."

Mr. Ban said it was "no exaggeration to say that we face three crises, all interrelated and demanding our immediate action," with the problems caused by soaring food prices the most pressing.

At the G-8 summit in Hokkaido, Japan, the Secretary-General said he would appeal to world leaders to deliver on the measures they agreed to under a road map drawn up at a major international meeting in Rome earlier this month.

"It calls on nations to remove export restrictions and levies on food commodities and reduce agricultural subsidies, particularly in developed countries," he said, adding that the proportion of official development assistance (ODA) for agricultural production and rural development should be trebled.

Climate change is no less immediate a concern, Mr. Ban said, urging world leaders to press forward from the achievements of last year's conference in Bali to devise a lasting agreement on greenhouse gas emissions by next year.

"In Hokkaido, I will ask for short- and medium-term targets for reducing greenhouse gases. It is not enough to talk of change by 2050. If we want real change, we must begin now – with targets for real progress by 2020."

A fully funded and operational adaptation fund, to help the world's most vulnerable nations cope with climate change, must be in place by the end of this year, according to Mr. Ban, who also called for concrete steps to transfer the latest low-carbon technologies to poor States.

The Secretary-General said that climate change and the global food crisis are slowing and in some cases reversing the progress made towards the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which world leaders have agreed to strive to achieve by 2015.

"In Hokkaido we must deliver on our commitments. I will also seek increased funding for specific programmes relating to infant and maternal health, community health projects and disease control – HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and neglected tropical diseases."
2008-06-26 00:00:00.000

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UNICEF CITES 'GREAT PROGRESS' ON ENDING IODINE DEFICIENCY, BUT CHILDREN STILL AT RISK

UNICEF CITES 'GREAT PROGRESS' ON ENDING IODINE DEFICIENCY, BUT CHILDREN STILL AT RISK New York, Jun 26 2008 12:00PM Millions of children worldwide have been protected from iodine deficiency, which is the single greatest cause of preventable mental retardation, but many more are still at risk, <" http://www.unicef.org/media/media_44632.html">according to a report released today by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
"This report shows how governments, the salt industry and communities, with UNICEF support, have made great progress over the past 20 years in eliminating iodine deficiency through universal salt iodization," said Werner Schultink, UNICEF's Associate Director of Nutrition. "But there is still much to do to ensure every child is protected."
Mr. Schultink said that 34 countries had achieved universal salt iodization, but "there are still 38 million children born every year at risk of brain damage because of iodine deficiency so there's no room for complacency in our efforts to combat the problem."
Iodine Deficiency Disorders result from a diet low in iodine, which is particularly damaging during early pregnancy because it retards foetal development, especially brain development, causing a range of intellectual, motor and hearing deficits. However the problem is easily and inexpensively prevented by iodizing all salt for human and animal consumption.
UNICEF's report notes that two global regions are close to the target of universal salt iodization – Latin America and the Caribbean, where 85 per cent of households consume adequately iodized salt, and East Asia and the Pacific, where the figure is 84 per cent.
The report focuses on five principles which it says are critical for successfully completing the global fight to eliminate iodine deficiency: political commitment from governments and industry; partnerships and coalitions between governments, donors and salt producers; the need to ensure the availability of iodized salt; strengthening of monitoring systems; and sustained education and communication efforts.
2008-06-26 00:00:00.000

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HIGH FOOD PRICES COULD HIT AGRICULTURAL GROWTH IN CENTRAL ASIA AND EUROPE - UN

HIGH FOOD PRICES COULD HIT AGRICULTURAL GROWTH IN CENTRAL ASIA AND EUROPE – UN New York, Jun 26 2008 11:00AM Soaring food prices could reverse the significant growth in agricultural production seen in some of the poorest countries in Europe and Central Asia over the past 10 years, the Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) <" http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2008/1000872/index.html">said today.

"In the past ten years, some of the poorest countries have posted the largest gains in per capita national income, notably the countries of the Transcaucasus and Central Asia, while growth has been slower in the countries of Western and Eastern Europe," Jacques Diouf said, noting that per capita agricultural production had also grown fastest in those countries.

Addressing the opening of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe in Innsbruck, Mr. Diouf added that this positive ten-year trend might be coming to a halt without bold policy steps to contain price increases.

The Director-General also stressed that governments in the region had not always responded to higher prices by supporting agricultural productivity, instead turning to export restrictions which have led to cancelled export contracts and lower incomes for farmers.

"As in most parts of the world affected by food insecurity, hunger in Europe and Central Asia derives from rural poverty and from natural and man-made disasters, rather than from a total lack of food at macroeconomic level," he said.

Mr. Diouf said that there was strong potential for an increase in agricultural production in some parts of the region and cited Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine: "With a supportive policy environment and investment in infrastructure, at least 13 million hectares could be returned to production, without major cost to the environment."

He noted that crop yields in those three countries are three times lower than in Central, Eastern and Western Europe, where modern inputs are employed and contract farming is used to reduce market risks.

"What is lacking for agricultural and rural growth are development policies that favour commercial agriculture and institutions of governance and support for the development of family farms and the private sector," he said.
2008-06-26 00:00:00.000

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UNESCO CHIEF SPEAKS OUT AGAINST KILLING OF IRAQI JOURNALIST

UNESCO CHIEF SPEAKS OUT AGAINST KILLING OF IRAQI JOURNALIST New York, Jun 26 2008 11:00AM The head of the United Nations agency tasked with promoting press freedom has condemned the murder of an Iraqi journalist, and urged the authorities to improve the safety of media professionals in the country.

Muhieddin Abdul Hamid, 50, was a presenter on the local channel of Iraq's public television. He was shot dead by unidentified gunmen near his home in northern city of Mosul on 17 June.

Deploring this latest act of violence against members of the media in Iraq, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (<"http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=36160&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html">UNESCO), Koïchiro Matsuura, called on authorities there to redouble their efforts to improve the safety of journalists "who have been paying an unacceptably high toll for the basic human right of freedom of expression."

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (<"http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=27016&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html">CPJ), Mr. Hamid's murder brings to at least 129 the number of journalists killed in Iraq since the start of the war in March 2003. Fifty other media workers have also been killed in the country over the same period.

Mr. Matsuura stressed that journalists have an essential role to play in the reconstruction of a democratic Iraq. "Those who attack them are attacking Iraqi society as a whole."
2008-06-26 00:00:00.000

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BAN MARKS INTERNATIONAL DAY BY STRESSING SHARED RESPONSIBILITY FOR DRUG CONTROL

BAN MARKS INTERNATIONAL DAY BY STRESSING SHARED RESPONSIBILITY FOR DRUG CONTROL New York, Jun 26 2008 9:00AM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed the shared role of all members of society in preventing and reducing the damage caused by drugs, which he said destroy lives, generate crime and threaten sustainable development.

"There is a growing consensus, both within communities and among States, that drug control is a shared responsibility, in which we all play a part," Mr. Ban said in a message marking the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed each year on 26 June.

Today there was a better understanding of how to confront drug abuse and trafficking, he noted. "Policymakers can draw on a growing body of evidence about drug dependence and drug-use trends. International cooperation and technical assistance are improving law enforcement capabilities.

"Increased development assistance is helping to reduce poverty and the sale of illicit crops by giving farmers sustainable alternatives. A stronger focus on prevention and treatment is putting health at the centre of drug-control strategies and helping to slow the spread of HIV/AIDS," he stated.

But there was still more work to do. "States with weak criminal justice systems and limited law enforcement capabilities need assistance to reduce illicit drug trafficking, which spreads crime, corruption and instability, and which ultimately endangers the successful realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)," the Secretary-General said, referring to the set of global anti-poverty targets world leaders pledged to achieve by 2015.

Mr. Ban also reminded States of their responsibility to fully respect the rights of prisoners who are drug-dependent or are in custody for drug-related crimes, especially their rights to life and a fair trial.

In addition, he urged them to ensure that people who are struggling with drug addiction be given equal access to health and social services. "No one should be stigmatized or discriminated against because of their dependence on drugs," he stressed.

Also today the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is launching the 2008 World Drug Report, which shows that recent progress in drug control is under threat by a surge in opium and coca cultivation and the risk of higher drug use in developing countries.
2008-06-26 00:00:00.000

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SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES ALL STATES TO ACCEDE TO CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES ALL STATES TO ACCEDE TO CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE New York, Jun 26 2008 9:00AM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged all United Nations Member States to accede to the Convention against Torture, and to also consider ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention which includes international and national visits to places of detention.

Referring to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Mr. Ban said, in a message to mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, that the foundation of international human rights law strictly prohibits torture "under any and all circumstances."

"And yet, 60 years since the adoption of the Declaration, torture persists, devastating millions of victims and their families," he said, adding that the Day was "a call to speak out and take action on their behalf and against all those who commit torture and all forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment."

The Secretary-General also called on States to do more to ensure that the torture-protection framework was applied in a gender-sensitive manner.

"Certain forms of gender-specific violence amount to torture as it is defined in the Convention against Torture," he said. "I call on the international community to strengthen the international legal framework to ensure better protection for women, including access to international assistance."

Mr. Ban also called on all governments to continue their support of the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, which he described as one of the largest UN humanitarian trust funds, helping provide victims with medical and psychological care, legal and social aid, and financial support.
2008-06-26 00:00:00.000

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GUINEA-BISSAU'S EFFORTS AGAINST DRUG TRADE MUST CONTINUE - SECURITY COUNCIL

GUINEA-BISSAU'S EFFORTS AGAINST DRUG TRADE MUST CONTINUE – SECURITY COUNCIL New York, Jun 25 2008 7:00PM Applauding recent efforts by Guinea-Bissau to bring drug traffickers to justice, the Security Council today urged the West African country's Government to strengthen its international and regional cooperation to fight the narcotics trade and organized crime.

In a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/sc9374.doc.htm">statement to the press after an <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/sc9373.doc.htm">open meeting today, Council members voiced concern over what they described as "the acute threat posed by drug trafficking and organized crime to the peace consolidation process."

The Secretary-General's latest report on Guinea-Bissau, released earlier this week, also warned of the danger that the illicit drug trade represents to a country struggling to make political and economic progress.

Council members noted the Government's recent efforts to implement an anti-narcotics operation plan and called on the international community to enhance its support for this, according to the press statement, read out by Ambassador Alejandro D. Wolff of the United States, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month.

The statement also welcomed Cape Verde's decision to host an upcoming regional conference on drug trafficking and organized crime.

Earlier this year it was announced that legislative elections are being scheduled for 16 November, and Council members welcomed the preparations so far.

"They commended the international partners for their pledges in support of the elections and they urged the international community to continue to provide technical, material and financial resources in order to fill the current gaps and ensure effective and timely elections," the statement said.

The 15-member Council received briefings today from Shola Omoregie, the Secretary-General's Representative for Guinea-Bissau and head of the UN Peacebuilding Support Office (UNOGBIS) there and from Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
2008-06-25 00:00:00.000

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SECURITY COUNCIL CALLS FOR UN FACT-FINDING TEAM TO VISIT DJIBOUTI-ERITREA BORDER

SECURITY COUNCIL CALLS FOR UN FACT-FINDING TEAM TO VISIT DJIBOUTI-ERITREA BORDER New York, Jun 25 2008 6:00PM The Security Council has called on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to send a fact-finding mission to the border between Djibouti and Eritrea, where several days of fighting earlier this month led to several deaths and dozens of wounded.

Council members also reiterated their call to the two countries, especially Eritrea, to withdraw their forces to the status quo, according to a statement to the press read out late yesterday by Ambassador Alejandro D. Wolff of the United States, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month.

In the statement the Council also voiced regret that Eritrea has not answered the calls it made in a presidential statement on 12 June, in which the 15-member panel urged maximum restraint and cooperation with diplomatic efforts to resolve the matter peacefully.

The Council, which also commended regional peace efforts, said Djibouti and Eritrea must facilitate the work of the Secretary-General's fact-finding mission and that Mr. Ban should report back on its work, if possible within two weeks.

Yesterday's <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/sc9372.doc.htm">debate in the Council follows Eritrean military action against Djibouti in Ras Doumeira and Doumeira Island earlier this month.

Joao Honwana, Director of the Department of Political Affairs' (DPA) Africa Division, said the situation along the joint border was calm but tense, with military regrouping occurring on both sides and a de facto ceasefire continuing to hold.
2008-06-25 00:00:00.000

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UN-SUPPORTED INITIATIVE AIMS TO REINTEGRATE 180,000 SUDANESE EX-COMBATANTS

UN-SUPPORTED INITIATIVE AIMS TO REINTEGRATE 180,000 SUDANESE EX-COMBATANTS New York, Jun 25 2008 5:00PM The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will be supporting the reintegration of 180,000 Sudanese ex-combatants as they return to civilian life under an agreement signed today with the Government of National Unity and the Government of Southern Sudan.

Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) is an important component of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which ended the long-running north-south civil war in Sudan.

The agreement signed today builds on the achievements of the disarmament and demobilisation pilot phase launched in 2006. The beneficiaries will include some 24,000 members of the Sudan Armed Forces and 26,000 others pre-registered by the Popular Defence Forces. Nearly 5,300 women associated with armed forces and groups, and 17,500 disabled combatants are also eligible.

Under the four-year programme – which will be led and implemented by the DDR Commissions of North and South Sudan, with support from UNDP – ex-combatants will receive social, economic and psychological support as they make the transition back into civilian life and begin anew in their communities.

"We welcome the Government of Sudan's leadership in taking forward the DDR programme, and aim to assist the building of national and local capacities to support national ownership of the process," said UNDP Associate Administrator Ad Melkert.

"The dividends of peace are long overdue. Employment generation and re-integration of former combatants is key to this process," he added.

The agreement was signed at a DDR Donor Conference in Geneva, co-chaired by UNDP and the Government of Japan, at which donors reiterated their full support to the Sudan DDR programme, requiring $430 million over a four-year period.

Adequate funding will be key to ensuring the sustainability of the programme which is designed to help foster peace and security in Sudan.

"It must be seen in a broader context of support to peace and national reconciliation, post–conflict stabilization, peace building and conflict reduction," said Ameerah Haq, UNDP Resident Representative in Sudan. "The reintegration programme will thus complement existing Government and UN programming that focuses on building peace at the community level."
2008-06-25 00:00:00.000

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GOVERNMENTS ASKED TO RATIFY TREATY PROTECTING UN HUMANITARIAN PERSONNEL

GOVERNMENTS ASKED TO RATIFY TREATY PROTECTING UN HUMANITARIAN PERSONNEL New York, Jun 25 2008 5:00PM The head of the United Nations staff union and the top UN legal official today called on governments to join a legal instrument designed to protect humanitarian personnel around the world.

At a ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York, Staff Union President Stephen Kisambira and UN Legal Counsel Nicolas Michel presented a certificate to diplomats from the 14 countries that have ratified the Optional Protocol to the 1994 Convention on the Safety of UN and Associated Personnel.

The countries are Austria, Botswana, Gabon, Germany, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Tunisia.

"Your ratification was a significant step," Mr. Kisambira said. "It will enhance security of staff worldwide. I encourage all Member States to follow your lead. Security of UN personnel is a global responsibility."

The 2005 Optional Protocol provides legal protection to staff delivering emergency humanitarian assistance and to those providing political and development assistance in peacebuilding. It extends the legal protection offered by the 1994 Convention, which only applies to personnel engaged in peacekeeping operations. The Convention has been ratified by 84 Member States, or 43 per cent of the UN membership.

The Optional Protocol is not yet in force, as eight ratifications are still required for its coming into effect.

"Rather than focusing only on Member States that did not ratify, I would like to value and appreciate those that did," Mr. Michel said. "The Optional Protocol is important because it reflects the evolution of realities on the ground. It acknowledges the role of staff who work on the ground, often in very dangerous circumstances."

"Do a little boasting, and tell your colleagues in the General Assembly that it would be a good idea to join in," he said, thanking the diplomatic community in New York for its role, "because of course the capitals follow what is happening here, but you are the ones who take the lead."

The ceremony was organized by the UN Staff Council Standing Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service.
2008-06-25 00:00:00.000

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IMPROVING WEATHER SERVICES WILL ALSO STRENGTHEN FOOD SECURITY, UN AGENCY SAYS

IMPROVING WEATHER SERVICES WILL ALSO STRENGTHEN FOOD SECURITY, UN AGENCY SAYS New York, Jun 25 2008 5:00PM Upgrading and improving weather services will play an important role in helping ensure food security in poorer countries at risk from the impact of climate change and natural disasters, the head of the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says.

Speaking at a round-table discussion on food security yesterday at the Global Humanitarian Forum in Geneva, <"http://www.wmo.int/pages/food_security/index_en.html">WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said enhanced preparation and awareness of meteorological problems and challenges would allow policymakers to respond better once a disaster strikes.

Mr. Jarraud said WMO was working, through its regional climate centres and other agencies, to improve prevention and preparedness measures, including risk assessment, early-warning systems and emergency planning.

Natural disasters such as floods and droughts are among the biggest causes of what is known as "transitory hunger," compared to poverty-induced "chronic hunger." Although natural hazards cannot be avoided, capacity-building and prevention measures can greatly reduce their impact and ensure that people have enough food stocks to last them through a crisis.
2008-06-25 00:00:00.000

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