IN SAUDI ARABIA, UN HUMANITARIAN CHIEF BEGINS TOUR OF PERSIAN GULF REGION

IN SAUDI ARABIA, UN HUMANITARIAN CHIEF BEGINS TOUR OF PERSIAN GULF REGION New York, Apr 5 2008 5:00PM The top United Nations relief official today began a six-day, four-country visit to the Persian Gulf region by holding talks with senior officials in Saudi Arabia on how to improve partnerships between the world body and Gulf States on humanitarian issues.

John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Abdul Aziz Arrukban, the Secretary-General's Special Humanitarian Envoy, met this morning with Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the President of the Saudi Red Crescent Society (SRCS).

Mr. Holmes and Prince Faisal agreed on the need for improved coordination between the UN and the SRCS so that the appropriate assistance can be provided in relief situations, according to a press release issued by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

"It is important to reinforce our cooperation as part of a wider long-term effort to strengthen [the] international humanitarian response," the Under-Secretary-General said. "Needs are increasing -- both from the man-made disasters in so many countries, both in the Middle East region and the Muslim world as a whole, and new challenges such as climate change and the structural rise in food prices. Working together multilaterally gives us the best chance to address these needs in a transparent and coordinated way."

Mr. Holmes and Mr. Arrukban also held talks with Saudi Arabia's Finance Minister Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Assaf to discuss the country's ongoing support of humanitarian activities worldwide.

After visiting Saudi Arabia, Mr. Holmes is scheduled to travel to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar.

2008-04-05 00:00:00.000

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ASSEMBLY CHIEF PROPOSES ANNUAL MEETINGS TO CHART PROGRESS ON ANTI-POVERTY GOALS

ASSEMBLY CHIEF PROPOSES ANNUAL MEETINGS TO CHART PROGRESS ON ANTI-POVERTY GOALS New York, Apr 4 2008 7:00PM The General Assembly should meet every year until 2015 to take stock of the progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs) and to hold all partners to account for the commitments they have made to fight poverty and other ills, its President Srgjan Kerim said today at the conclusion of this week's special <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/ga10700.doc.htm">debate on the issue.

Mr. Kerim <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/ga10701.doc.htm">told the debate participants that while it was clear that significant progress has been made since world leaders pledged in 2000 to try to achieve the Goals, it has been uneven and still too slow, despite the availability of solutions.

"The key issue that we all have to deliver on our commitments, scale-up our efforts and accelerate progress," he said this morning as he wrapped up the four-day debate, adding that Africa and the world's least developed countries (LDCs) need additional long-term assistance from the international community if they are to catch up.

Mr. Kerim stressed that one point made repeatedly throughout this week's debate was that "delivering on our commitments is a priority and that delivering results a necessity.

"Donors need to provide the additional aid and debt relief that they have promised. And, developing countries need to integrate the Millennium Development Goals into national development plans, and speed up implementation of other commitments, including better governance."

He noted that many delegations have already endorsed his proposal for the annual meetings to chart progress worldwide.

In addition to the meetings, the President called on the 192-member Assembly to mandate the UN Secretariat and the relevant UN funds, programmes and agencies to provide an annual MDG global monitoring report analyzing implementation across all countries.

On 22 September at UN Headquarters in New York, UN Member States will gather for a major meeting on the MDGs, with the focus on Africa's specific development needs.
2008-04-04 00:00:00.000

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CIVIL RIGHTS TEACHINGS RESONATE WITH UN'S GOALS, MIGIRO SAYS ON ANNIVERSARY

CIVIL RIGHTS TEACHINGS RESONATE WITH UN'S GOALS, MIGIRO SAYS ON ANNIVERSARY New York, Apr 4 2008 7:00PM The ideas espoused by Martin Luther King Jr., including racial harmony, poverty eradication and human rights for all, resonate with the aims of the United Nations, Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro said today, paying tribute to the life of the United States civil rights leader who was slain 40 years ago.

Addressing students and faculty at New York state's Syracuse University, Ms. Migiro recalled Dr. King's appeal for countries to work together for the greater common good, as he exhorted every nation to 'develop an overriding loyalty to mankind as a whole in order to preserve the best in their individual societies.'

"This is the central purpose of the United Nations, which brings all States together in a forum where they can rise above national interests, so that the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts," stated Ms. Migiro.

Noting that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Deputy Secretary-General said that document and Dr. King's legacy are both "profound and timeless statements on the civil rights – the human rights – of all people."

In addition, Dr. King's call for an end to poverty still resounds at the UN, and is reflected in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – pledges made by world leaders in 2000 to cut poverty, illiteracy and other social ills, all by 2015.

"The aim was to forge a great partnership of countries working to help each other in the interests of humanity as a whole," Ms. Migiro said.

And in doing so, "we must learn from each other in a world that is more interdependent than ever," she added, noting that in a world where problems – including terrorism, AIDS, poverty, racism and climate change – transcend borders, "the only effective response is global."

She emphasized that Dr. King's message rings more true today than when he delivered it in his lifetime. "The best and only tribute we can pay to this towering individual, who gave so much to the world and paid with his life for his belief in peace and non-violence, is to abide by his words, to transform them into actions, and to 'develop an overriding loyalty to mankind as a whole.'"
2008-04-04 00:00:00.000

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GLOBAL WARMING CONTINUES, REGARDLESS OF LA NIÑA WEATHER PATTERN - UN AGENCY

GLOBAL WARMING CONTINUES, REGARDLESS OF LA NIÑA WEATHER PATTERN – UN AGENCY New York, Apr 4 2008 6:00PM The long-term trend of global warming is continuing, despite the current La Niña weather phenomenon that is bringing relatively cooler temperatures to parts of the Equatorial Pacific region, the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (<" http://www.wmo.ch/pages/index_en.html">WMO) said today.

Worldwide temperatures this year are expected to be above the long-term average, even though La Niña is also likely to persist through to the middle of 2008, WMO said in a press statement issued in Geneva.

WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said that while there will always be both cooler and warmer individual years, the overall trend in temperatures is still upwards.

"For detecting climate change you should not look at any particular year, but instead examine the trends over a sufficiently long period of time," he said.

Parts of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean have experienced significantly cooler sea-surface temperatures in recent months, WMO reported, and cooling has also been recorded over China, Central Asia, Turkey and the Middle East.

But Australia, Scandinavia, Russia, the western United States, Mexico, north-eastern Brazil and the southern part of South America have generally experienced higher-than-average temperatures since last December.
2008-04-04 00:00:00.000

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FRUITION OF GROUNDBREAKING TREATY ON DISABILITY RIGHTS HAILED BY UN OFFICIALS

FRUITION OF GROUNDBREAKING TREATY ON DISABILITY RIGHTS HAILED BY UN OFFICIALS New York, Apr 4 2008 6:00PM The top United Nations human rights and development officials today warmly welcomed the news that yesterday the first international convention on the rights of persons with disabilities got its twentieth ratification, meaning that the landmark treaty will now come into force on 3 May.

"I am extremely happy," Louise Arbour, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights <"http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/1AD533A6AB95F873C1257421003A8DA8?opendocument">said in Geneva, noting that people with disabilities and their supporters struggled for a very long time to achieve this result.

"I cannot stress enough the importance of this ground-breaking Convention, which fills an important gap in international human rights legislation affecting millions of people around the world."

The 50-article Convention asserts the rights to education, health, work, adequate living conditions, freedom of movement, freedom from exploitation and equal recognition before the law for persons with disabilities.

It also addresses the need for persons with disabilities to have access to public transport, buildings and other facilities and recognizes their capacity to make decisions for themselves.

The convention's Optional Protocol, which will also be binding starting 3 May, allows individuals to petition an international expert body with grievances.

"Persons with disabilities all across the world have faced discriminatory treatment and egregious human rights violations on a daily basis," Ms. Arbour said. "Now, finally, we have a solid international legal framework in place that should allow them to cast off restrictions that have been placed on them by the rest of society."

At UN Headquarters in New York today, Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary for Economic and Social Affairs, also greeted the Convention's entry into force with enthusiasm.

"This Convention is not just the first comprehensive human rights treaty of the twenty-first Century with a strong development dimension," said Mr. Zukang, who was joined at a press conference with the Permanent Representatives of Jordan, Tunisia and Ecuador – the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth ratifiers, respectively.

"It is also a treaty negotiated as quickly as ever at the United Nations and it will be one of the fastest to enter into force," he added.

The Convention was adopted by the General Assembly on 13 December 2006, and was opened for signature and ratification on 30 March 2007. Acquiring the 20 required ratifications can sometimes take several years.

In addition to the States that have now signalled their ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a further 106 states have taken the preliminary step of signing the Convention, thereby signalling their intention to ratify it somewhere down the line.

"To have 126 signatories in the first year is impressive," said Ms Arbour. "But we will continue to urge all governments to follow the first 20 States' example by signing and ratifying as soon as possible," she added.
2008-04-04 00:00:00.000

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UN UNIT CALLS FOR FOLLOW-UP ON JUSTICE IN RAMPANT ASSASSINATIONS OF JOURNALISTS

UN UNIT CALLS FOR FOLLOW-UP ON JUSTICE IN RAMPANT ASSASSINATIONS OF JOURNALISTS New York, Apr 4 2008 6:00PM With only 6.7 per cent of journalists' murders leading to convictions, an arm of the United Nations agency mandated to protect freedom of the press is calling on Governments to report on investigations into attacks on media personnel, which have surged in recent years.

The Intergovernmental Council of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) will request UN Member States to assume responsibility for monitoring investigations into all killings condemned by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (<"http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=1657&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html">UNESCO).

As a result of its meeting in Paris from 26 to 28 March, the IPDC, which was created by UNESCO in 1980 to promote free expression in developing countries, also decided to ask all States to inform UNESCO of actions taken in each case, and of the status of judicial inquires.

Over the past two years, the Director-General of UNESCO has publicly condemned the killings of 121 journalists – 68 in 2006 and 53 in 2007.

The decision adopted by all 39 IPDC Council members requests the Director-General of UNESCO to provide updated information on the responses received from Member States in which assassinations of journalists have occurred, and to make this report widely available.

In its 28 years of operation, the IPDC has raised some $ 93 million dollars for more than 1,100 projects in 139 developing countries and countries in transition, UNESCO said.
2008-04-04 00:00:00.000

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IN CÔTE D'IVOIRE, UN MISSION DISMANTLES NEARLY ALL POSTS IN ZONE OF CONFIDENCE

IN CÔTE D'IVOIRE, UN MISSION DISMANTLES NEARLY ALL POSTS IN ZONE OF CONFIDENCE New York, Apr 4 2008 5:00PM The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Côte d'Ivoire has now dismantled almost all of its military observation posts in the former zone of confidence separating the Government-held and rebel-controlled areas of the country as part of last year's accord ending active hostilities between the two sides.

Only two of the original 17 observation posts built inside the zone in the West African country remain operational, according to Colonel Mustapha Dafir, the military spokesperson for the mission, which is known as <"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unoci/index.html">UNOCI.

Col. Dafir told a press conference yesterday in Abidjan that the dismantling process was being done progressively "after an assessment of the security situation and in consultation with all the concerned parties," adding that the mission was satisfied with the progress so far in implementing the 2007 Ouagadougou Political Agreement.

Named after the capital of neighbouring Burkina Faso, where it was signed, the agreement calls for the abolition of the zone of confidence and the removal of the observation posts, as well as the formation of a new transitional government involving the two sides, the merging of the Government forces and the rebel Forces Nouvelles, and the holding of free and fair national elections later this year.
2008-04-04 00:00:00.000

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FURTHER STABILITY CAN BOOST PROSPECTS FOR GEORGIAN-ABKHAZ PEACE - UN REPORT

FURTHER STABILITY CAN BOOST PROSPECTS FOR GEORGIAN-ABKHAZ PEACE – UN REPORT New York, Apr 4 2008 4:00PM Unlike the tensions that characterized much of the last two years, the past few months have witnessed a relatively stable security situation along the ceasefire line between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides, which could contribute to improving relations between the parties, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in a new <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2008/219">report.

"The high tensions that characterized much of 2006 and 2007 have not served the interest of the peace process. Quite the contrary, they have contributed to further narrowing the opportunities for a dialogue already undercut by deep mutual suspicions," Mr. Ban writes in his latest report to the Security Council.

He says "a period of sustained stability along the ceasefire line and in the Kodori Valley would improve the prospect of repairing the much deteriorated relationship between the two sides."

Despite the efforts of Mr. Ban's Special Representative, Jean Arnault, the negotiation process remains suspended, given the Abkhaz side's insistence on the withdrawal of Georgian armed personnel from the upper Kodori Valley as a precondition for the resumption of negotiations with the Georgian side, the report states.

At its February meeting in Geneva, the Secretary-General's Group of Friends called for the resumption of security meetings between the sides, the UN mission (UNOMIG) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) peacekeeping force. The Group also expressed its disappointment at the lack of progress in implementing the proposals it had set out last year to boost confidence between the parties.

"At the same time, the Friends noted the fact that there appeared to be common ground with regard to the necessity, after one year of escalating mistrust, to focus on the gradual restoration of a working relationship between the sides across a range of issues," states the report.

The Secretary-General too calls on the sides to implement the confidence-building measures, noting that "small steps and partial successes are essential to the sustainability of protracted peace processes, and the Georgian-Abkhaz process certainly qualifies as such."

Mr. Ban also welcomes the dialogue between the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the CIS peacekeeping force and UNOMIG, which has been taking place regularly on the Zugdidi side of the ceasefire line, and hopes that the regular meetings on security issues involving the Georgian and Abkhaz sides will soon follow.

In light of the present situation and the important role UNOMIG plays in promoting stability in the zone of conflict, practical cooperation between the sides and the restoration of dialogue, the Secretary-General recommends that its mandate be extended for another six months, until 15 October.
2008-04-04 00:00:00.000

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MARKING 'GRIM' ANNIVERSARY FOR DARFUR, SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES SHARPER FOCUS

MARKING 'GRIM' ANNIVERSARY FOR DARFUR, SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES SHARPER FOCUS New York, Apr 4 2008 4:00PM Avowing that the situation in Sudan's Darfur region remains as grim, or worse, than it was four years ago when the Security Council first took up the issue, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for an immediate focus on the fundamentals of peace and the protection of civilians in the strife-torn region.

"Continued suffering is both unforgivable and preventable, and the potential for peace and progress is great," Mr. Ban said in a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3077">statement that coincided with the release of his latest <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2008/196">monthly report to the Council on the deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).

"Let us not dwell on what has been lost in Darfur, but call upon all parties and stakeholders to immediately focus on what can be achieved by ending the hostilities, protecting civilians and coming to the negotiating table in good faith to secure the peace the Darfurians desperately need now," he added.

Some 4.27 million civilians, including 2.45 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), continue to suffer as a result of ongoing attacks by armed forces and other groups, the Secretary-General said, with more than 100,000 civilians forced to flee this year alone while women and humanitarian workers continue to be targeted.

The conflict also jeopardizes regional stability and threatens the historic peace agreement that ended one of Africa's longest and bloodiest wars, between the Government and rebels in southern Sudan, he stressed.

He noted that the international community has spent close to $1 billion per year during the past three years on humanitarian assistance and recovery operations in Darfur in the hope that peace and development would follow.

But, he cautioned, humanitarian aid would not resolve the conflict, and neither would the peacekeeping mission, since there was as yet no peace to keep. A solution required all parties and stakeholders to lay down their arms and commit to a peaceful settlement.

"Pressure must be maintained on all parties to commit to a cessation of hostilities and ultimately a ceasefire and political settlement," he said, affirming continued support for joint African Union (AU)-UN mediation efforts and the deployment of UNAMID.

In his report on that deployment, covering the month of February, Mr. Ban says that troop deployment is accelerating, but that critical aviation and transportation equipment was still missing, with no additional pledges for these during the reporting period.

As of the end of the month, the total strength of UNAMD was 9,212 uniformed personnel, including 7,467 troops, 1,605 police officers and one formed police unit, in addition to 1,312 civilians, according to the report.

Deployment of Egyptian and Ethiopian battalions is immanent, after which UNAMID leadership will prioritize the arrival of the Thai and Nepalese units, which are ready to come with critical capabilities.

However, the force still lacks one heavy and one medium ground transport unit, three military utility aviation units – comprising 18 helicopters in total – as well as additional attack helicopters.

"It is incumbent upon Member States to pledge these critical capabilities or prevail upon other States that may be in a position to do so," Mr. Ban stressed, noting that all levels of the UN Secretariat continue to pursue options in that regard.

"The deployment of UNAMID without these critical assets will make it a force that lacks the capability to respond to the challenges and complex environment in which it is deployed," he said.
2008-04-04 00:00:00.000

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HAITI: UN MISSION SAYS SITUATION STILL TENSE AFTER VIOLENT PROTESTS IN PORT TOWN

HAITI: UN MISSION SAYS SITUATION STILL TENSE AFTER VIOLENT PROTESTS IN PORT TOWN New York, Apr 4 2008 3:00PM The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti said today that the situation remains tense in the south-western town of Les Cayes after yesterday's demonstrations over the rising cost of living in the impoverished Caribbean nation led to an attack against the local UN office.

A small group of protesters broke into the UN compound, pillaged two containers and damaged the main entry gate after ignoring warning shots from peacekeepers, the mission – known as <"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/minustah/">MINUSTAH – reported, adding that no UN employees were hurt. The protesters also burned shops in Les Cayes and threw rocks and fired weapons at some of the blue helmets during the night.

MINUSTAH has dispatched more than 100 extra peacekeepers to Les Cayes to reinforce the existing presence there, while the mission's top police officers are also in the port town to oversee UN police operations and coordinate activities with the Haitian National Police (HNP).

The mission has condemned the violence in a statement and stressed it would continue to support the HNP as it tries to bring calm back to Les Cayes.

Meanwhile, the mission has announced that it has opened a library this week in a boys' detention centre in Delmas, a district of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The library has been set up as part of a project to boost literacy among the inmates.
2008-04-04 00:00:00.000

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FORMER TOP YUGOSLAV FIGURE GRANTED TEMPORARY LEAVE BY UN WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL

FORMER TOP YUGOSLAV FIGURE GRANTED TEMPORARY LEAVE BY UN WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL New York, Apr 4 2008 2:00PM The United Nations tribunal set up to deal with the worst crimes committed during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s has granted temporary <"http://www.un.org/icty/pressreal/2008/pr1233e.htm">release to a former senior Yugoslav political figure facing trial over an alleged campaign of terror and violence against Kosovo Albanians and other non-Serbs in 1999.

Nikola Šainovi&#263;, a former deputy prime minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, has been allowed by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (<"http://www.un.org/icty/">ICTY), which is based in The Hague, to return to Serbia for personal reasons from tomorrow until Monday.

Announcing the decision today, the ICTY trial chamber said Mr. Šainovi&#263;'s temporary release was subject to several strict conditions, including 24-hour surveillance of the accused by Serbian authorities.

Mr. Šainovi&#263;, 59, is on trial with five others – Milan Milutinovi&#263;, Nebojša Pavkovi&#263;, Dragoljub Ojdani&#263;, Vladimir Lazarevi&#263; and Sreten Luki&#263; – over an alleged campaign of terror and violence directed against Kosovo Albanians and other non-Serbs living in Kosovo in 1999. All six men face charges of murder, deportation, forcible transfer and the persecution of thousands of Kosovo Albanians and other non-Serbs.

The trial of the six men began in July 2006, with the prosecution completing its case in May last year and five of the six defence cases have now been completed, with Mr. Luki&#263;'s defence still ongoing.
2008-04-04 00:00:00.000

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BAN KI-MOON MARKS INTERNATIONAL DAY WITH CALL TO ASSIST LANDMINE SURVIVORS

BAN KI-MOON MARKS INTERNATIONAL DAY WITH CALL TO ASSIST LANDMINE SURVIVORS New York, Apr 4 2008 1:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged greater support for the nearly half a million survivors of landmines and explosive remnants of war around the world to enable them to realize their rights and be productive members of society.

Without such support, survivors may face "a lifetime of poverty and discrimination, lacking adequate health care or rehabilitation services," Mr. Ban stated in a message marking the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, observed annually on 4 April.

While global mine removal and education efforts have helped to reduce the number of mine victims to some 6,000 in 2007 – a dramatic decrease from only a few years ago – the Secretary-General stressed that "still, the only acceptable casualty rate is zero."

He noted that 24 of the mine-affected States that have ratified the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine-Ban Treaty are approaching their 10-year deadlines to clear anti-personnel mines laid down on their territories or in areas under their control.

"As States strive to reach this important objective, the threat of new casualties will diminish," he noted. And yet the challenge of protecting the rights and well-being of survivors must be addressed for decades to come.

Mr. Ban called on States that have not yet ratified all disarmament, humanitarian and human rights laws and protocols related to landmines and explosive remnants of war to do so, stressing that it is "only through the widest possible ratification and full compliance will the international community succeed in preventing new injuries and fatalities while ensuring that victims and their families fully realize their rights."

A team of 14 UN agencies, programmes, departments and funds supports and manages mine action efforts in 42 countries and territories.

John Flanagan, Acting Director of the UN Mine Action Service (<" http://www.mineaction.org">UNMAS), pledged the world body's continued support for mine action until affected countries have the capacities to address the problem on their own.

He noted that a number of countries are on track to being mine-free in 2009, in line with their Mine-Ban Treaty obligations. "We want to make sure countries have the technical, managerial and financial resources to meet their treaty obligations," he stated.

According to the UN, Iraq has one of the highest concentrations of landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other explosive remnants of war in the world. "They inflict lifelong injuries, deny access to productive land and undermine freedom of movement, including for the delivery of humanitarian relief," said the UN's Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq, David Shearer. "We need to increase efforts to reduce the harm they cause, and treat their victims."

In Afghanistan, which is still one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, UN-assisted mine action programmes have cleared more than one billion square metres of land across the strife-torn nation.

Likewise, the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (<" http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/index.html">UNIFIL) is working together with local and national partners to rid the southern part of the country from the scourge of mines and cluster bombs, including through mine risk education and awareness-raising activities.

"The presence, or even fear of, a single landmine lurking in the backyard or a tiny cluster bomb hovering in the village orchard, can hold an entire community hostage," said UNIFIL Force Commander Major General Claudio Graziano. "We are acutely aware of the deleterious effects this can have on a society, both in real and psychological terms."

A large number of cluster munitions and UXOs are also still being found in rural areas of Kosovo, according to the UN mission there, known as <"http://www.unmikonline.org">UNMIK. The deadly devices, along with unmarked mined areas, are among the main problems encountered by those in involved in mine action efforts.
2008-04-04 00:00:00.000

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UN REFUGEE AGENCY APPEALS FOR $40 MILLION FOR THOSE DISPLACED IN DARFUR

UN REFUGEE AGENCY APPEALS FOR $40 MILLION FOR THOSE DISPLACED IN DARFUR New York, Apr 4 2008 12:00PM The United Nations refugee agency today issued an appeal for $40.3 million to provide protection and assistance to refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) in Sudan's conflict-wracked Darfur region in 2008.

The funds will be used to help some 2.5 million displaced Darfurians and returnees as well as 47,500 refugees from Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR) who have fled inter-ethnic clashes and other conflicts in their own countries, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

"The challenges in Darfur have never been greater, with a pervasive conflict spreading across the region displacing more civilians and creating a very insecure environment for humanitarian workers," UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond <"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/47f5fc022.html">said today in Geneva, quoting its Africa Bureau Director.

"Preventing sexual and gender-based violence also remains a key challenge," he added, explaining that operations will focus on protection activities.

Such efforts include monitoring the well-being of refugees, <"http://www.unhcr.org/protect/3b84c7e23.html">IDPs and returnees, strengthening camp management and providing community-based rehabilitation programmes in rural areas along with other partners and UN agencies.

"UNHCR's main goal remains to assist the Sudanese Government in fulfilling its responsibility to deliver an effective and coordinated humanitarian response to the needs of conflict-affected populations throughout Darfur," he said.

UNHCR's primary area of operation until now has been in West Darfur, bordering Chad, while this year it has begun to extend its operational presence to North and South Darfur.

The agency notes that the $40.3 million appeal marks a sizeable increase over 2007 budgetary requirements of $19.7 million, reflecting the expansion of UNHCR's presence and its increased role in camp management and coordination issues within the UN.

UNHCR said it currently has 31 international and 74 national staff based in Darfur, where more than 200,000 people have been killed in the past five years and at least 2.2 million others forced to flee their homes because of fighting between rebels, the Government and allied militias and the attacks by bandits and other armed groups.

Also today, the agency announced that it had started to relocate refugees from CAR in West Darfur, part of a group of 2,500 people who arrived at the end of 2006, fleeing generalized violence and insecurity in northern CAR.

At the same time, it will be assessing the protection and assistance needs of some 600 refugee families (3,000 people) who fled instability in eastern Chad in February.
2008-04-04 00:00:00.000

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IRAQ: UN RELIEF OFFICIALS URGE IMPROVED SECURITY AND ACCESS FOR AID WORKERS

IRAQ: UN RELIEF OFFICIALS URGE IMPROVED SECURITY AND ACCESS FOR AID WORKERS New York, Apr 4 2008 11:00AM Senior United Nations humanitarian officials has <" http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/LSGZ-7DDH6Y?OpenDocument">called for an end to the deadly violence besetting Iraq and for safe access for aid workers trying to deliver food, clean water and other vital supplies to millions in need.

"Unfortunately, in Iraq today access is often hindered by ongoing hostilities and restrictions on freedom of movement," Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes told reporters in Amman, Jordan. "Aid workers must be able to reach people in need with timely, life-saving assistance."

Mr. Holmes, who is also UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, said a combination of violence and the deterioration of basic services have worsened the situation of the Iraqi people. The UN and its partners are working to alleviate their plight, while keeping in mind the safety of humanitarian workers.

The UN relief chief, who was unable to go to Iraq for security reasons, travelled to Amman to discuss the humanitarian situation in Iraq with relevant officials.

Noting that humanitarian needs in Iraq have risen dramatically in the last two years, he emphasized the need to make the most of any "localised security improvements and pockets of stability" to expand relief efforts.

"We are scaling up the emergency response wherever conditions allow, and hope that the $265 million appeal launched in February will be fully funded by donors," he stated.

David Shearer, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, recently conducted a joint assessment mission with Iraqi officials to Basra, which has seen increased hostilities in recent weeks.

"While we are no longer facing a humanitarian crisis in Basra, some families still need support," Mr. Shearer said. "The UN's priority now is to support Basra's local government in redoubling its own assistance efforts for the most vulnerable families."

Even before the recent violence in the governorate subsided, the UN and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were able to begin their relief efforts there. As the security situation improves, they are stepping up their operations to reach thousands in need.

Meanwhile, limited humanitarian access in Sadr City in Baghdad continues to impede aid efforts to some of the city's poorest areas, Mr. Shearer noted, adding that it is essential to work together with the Government and neighbouring countries to alleviate the plight of the Iraqi people.

Mr. Holmes reiterated the international community's commitment to respond to both the humanitarian crisis inside Iraq and to the displacement it has prompted in the region. "We are doing all we can to meet the needs of millions of suffering Iraqis, both those inside the country and beyond its borders, by strengthening our overall humanitarian coordination and response," he said.
2008-04-04 00:00:00.000

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UN PROBE INTO HARIRI ASSASSINATION TURNS NOW TO MEMBERS OF CRIMINAL NETWORK

UN PROBE INTO HARIRI ASSASSINATION TURNS NOW TO MEMBERS OF CRIMINAL NETWORK New York, Apr 3 2008 7:00PM The priority of the inquiry probing the 2005 assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri is to now gather more evidence about the criminal network responsible for the massive car bombing and determine its participants, the head of the investigation says in his latest <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=S/2008/210">report to the Security Council.

Daniel Bellemare writes that the International Independent Investigation Commission (IIIC) has accumulated evidence indicating that the criminal network had conducted surveillance of Mr. Hariri before he and 22 others were killed in the bombing in downtown Beirut on 14 February 2005, and that "at least part of the [so-called] Hariri network continued to exist and operate after the assassination."

Mr. Bellemare says the IIIC is also trying to establish the links between members of the network and any others outside the group, and what role the network has played in other deadly attacks against prominent figures in Lebanon in recent years.

The commission is also continuing to pursue its investigation of the identity of the suicide bomber in the Hariri case, drawing on forensic information obtained and an analysis of the missing person files of various countries to generate possible leaders. DNA profiling is being carried out as well.

The report, published today, notes that progress has been made in several other investigations, including the attacks that targeted Major General François al-Hajj, killed in a car bombing last December, and Major Wissam Eid, murdered after a roadside explosion in late January this year.

"In the new cases, the Commission is working on a profile of the targeted victim and possible motives for the attack," Mr. Bellemare writes.

He concludes in this report that the IIIC's investigation "must continue to be guided solely by the facts and by the evidence. Its conclusions cannot rely on rumour or assumption; they must be supported by reliable evidence that will be admissible before a tribunal."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the UN are taking steps to set up the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to try those responsible for the death of Mr. Hariri and last month Security Council members welcomed a report that showed Mr. Ban is making significant progress.

A headquarters agreement has been signed with the Netherlands, a prosecutor and a registrar has been appointed, and a management committee has been established. Financial contributions and pledges have also come from several UN Member States.

Once it is formally established, it will be up to the Special Tribunal to determine whether other political killings in Lebanon since October 2004 were connected to the assassination of Mr. Hariri and could therefore be dealt with by the tribunal.
2008-04-03 00:00:00.000

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INDIAN CLIMATE SCIENTIST WINS UN'S TOP METEOROLOGICAL PRIZE

INDIAN CLIMATE SCIENTIST WINS UN'S TOP METEOROLOGICAL PRIZE New York, Apr 3 2008 7:00PM A renowned Indian environmental scientist has been awarded one of the world's top prizes in meteorology and hydrological sciences by the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (<"http://www.wmo.ch/pages/index_en.html">WMO), the agency said today.

Jagadish Shukla of India was awarded the 52nd International Meteorological Organization (IMO) Prize at an event in Washington D.C. hosted by the United States' National Academy of Sciences.

President of the Institute of Global Environment and Society since 1991, Dr. Shukla is Professor of Earth Sciences and Global Change and Chairman of Climate Dynamics at George Mason University in the US.

WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said Professor Shukla "has been a pillar of the weather and climate research community along a period during which revolutionary advances in atmospheric and oceanic observation, modelling and predictive capabilities have taken place."

It was also announced today that Kandeh Yumkella, Director-General of the UN Industrial Development Organization (<"http://www.unido.org/">UNIDO), has garnered an award for exceptional alumni of the University of Illinois in the US.

The Madhuri and Jagdish N. Sheth International Award for Exceptional Achievement award is in recognition of Dr. Yumkella's leadership in efforts to link sustained economic growth to poverty reduction, as well as his efforts to promote increased trade and more efficient use of resources, the University said in its announcement.

Dr. Yumkella has also worked extensively on development topics in Sierra Leone, his native country, where he served as the Minister for Trade, Industry and State Enterprise.

Since becoming Director-General of UNIDO in 2005, Dr. Yumkella has been involved in the development of programmes to stimulate economic growth that benefit the poor in developing countries and economies in transition, the announcement said.
2008-04-03 00:00:00.000

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FORMER LEADER OF KOSOVO ACQUITTED OF WAR CRIMES CHARGES BY UN TRIBUNAL

FORMER LEADER OF KOSOVO ACQUITTED OF WAR CRIMES CHARGES BY UN TRIBUNAL New York, Apr 3 2008 6:00PM The United Nations tribunal set up to deal with the worst acts committed during the Balkan wars of the 1990s today <"http://www.un.org/icty/pressreal/2008/pr1232e.htm">acquitted a former prime minister of Kosovo of charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Ramush Haradinaj, 39, who was also a well-known commander in the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during the conflict with Serb forces in 1998-99, had faced charges that included murder, rape, torture, abduction, cruel treatment, imprisonment and the forced deportation of Serbian and Kosovar Roma civilians.

But judges at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (<"http://www.un.org/icty/">ICTY), based in The Hague, found that the evidence presented was sometimes inconclusive as to whether a crime had been committed or, if so, whether the KLA was involved as alleged.

The ICTY also acquitted one of Mr. Haradinaj's co-accused, Idriz Balaj, 36, of all charges.

But a third co-accused, Lahi Brahimaj, 38, was convicted of the cruel treatment and torture of two people at the KLA headquarters in Jablanica/Jabllanicë and has been sentenced to six years in jail.

The three men had been accused by prosecutors of being part of a joint criminal enterprise between March and September 1998 that aimed to consolidate the KLA's total control over the Dukagjin area in north-western Kosovo by unlawfully removing, mistreating and killing Serbian and Kosovar Roma civilians, as well as Kosovar Albanians perceived to have been collaborating with Serbian forces.

But the judges said the evidence indicated the victims may have been targeted mainly for individual reasons rather than because they were members of a targeted civilian group. The acts of ill-treatment, forcible transfer and killing were also not of a scale to conclude there was an attack against a civilian population.

Judge Alphonsus Orie (presiding) said the ICTY had encountered many difficulties in securing testimony from witnesses during the trials of Mr. Haradinaj, Mr. Balaj and Mr. Brahimaj.

"The Chamber gained a strong impression that the trial was being held in an atmosphere where witnesses felt unsafe," he said.
2008-04-03 00:00:00.000

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UN WILL STAY IN AFGHANISTAN AS LONG AS NECESSARY, VOWS BAN KI-MOON

UN WILL STAY IN AFGHANISTAN AS LONG AS NECESSARY, VOWS BAN KI-MOON New York, Apr 3 2008 6:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/sgsm11492.doc.htm">pledged the commitment of the United Nations to stay the course in Afghanistan to ensure peace, security and development in the strife-torn nation.

"We shall not leave Afghanistan as long as we are needed by the Afghan people," Mr. Ban told a high-level international meeting convened in Bucharest, Romania, as part of the summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

He noted the achievements of recent years such as economic growth, lower infant and maternal mortality rates and an increase in school enrolment. "But these welcome indicators of progress must not obscure the obstacles that we still face," he added, citing the threat posed by the continuing violence and militancy in various parts of the country and the growing drug economy.

Mr. Ban acknowledged that the UN has not been as effective as it needs to be in coordinating the international community, adding that the new Security Council mandate will allow the world body to take a more assertive role in coordination.

At a press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Mr. Ban reiterated the need for the international community to continue its efforts in Afghanistan until the Government can stand on its own, warning that "the cost of disengagement would be far greater than the cost of engagement."

The Secretary-General began the day with a working breakfast with President Karzai, with whom he discussed the importance of today's conference as a means of reaffirming the international community's long-term support for Afghanistan. They also discussed the latest audio message from al-Qaida, and both noted, contrary to that message, the contributions that the UN has made to the Muslim world.

After visiting UN staff in Romania, Mr. Ban also held bilateral meetings with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and Prime Ministers Romano Prodi of Italy, Helen Clark of New Zealand, Fredrik Reinfeldt of Sweden, Jan Peter Balkenende of the Netherlands, and Gordon Brown of the United Kingdom.

The Secretary-General also met with the Foreign Ministers of Canada and Germany, Maxime Bernier and Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as well as European Union High Representative Javier Solana and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso. The meetings focused on ways that the international community can improve its assistance to the Afghan people.

In addition, Mr. Ban thanked the Swedish Prime Minister for offering to host the 29 May meeting on the International Compact for Iraq.

The Secretary-General was scheduled to meet with Romanian President Traian Basescu later in the day.

Next week Mr. Ban will embark on a three-day official visit to Russia, his first since taking office as Secretary-General, his spokesperson announced today.

While there he is expected to meet with Russian Government leaders, including President Vladimir Putin, President-elect Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as well as the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma and civil society leaders.

He will also speak at Moscow State University and address the launch of the UN Global Compact's Russia network.
2008-04-03 00:00:00.000

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UN MISSION IN BURUNDI DENOUNCES ATTACKS AGAINST STAFF BY EX-EMPLOYEES

UN MISSION IN BURUNDI DENOUNCES ATTACKS AGAINST STAFF BY EX-EMPLOYEES New York, Apr 3 2008 6:00PM The United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB) has strongly condemned recent acts of violence against its staff by local ex-employees of the predecessor UN mission in the poor African country who say they still have contractual claims with the operation.

The physical attacks against staff and BINUB's assets late last month occurred even though the office had given assurances it would work with national authorities to consider the claims of some former local employees or contractors of ONUB, which operated from 2004 to the end of 2006, the mission said yesterday.

In a press statement issued in the capital, Bujumbura, BINUB pledged to assess each legitimate claim on a case-by-case basis to determine if it has merit, stressing it would conform strictly with international laws and regulations.
2008-04-03 00:00:00.000

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AHEAD OF INTERNATIONAL DAY, SENIOR UN OFFICIAL URGES SUPPORT FOR MINE ACTION

AHEAD OF INTERNATIONAL DAY, SENIOR UN OFFICIAL URGES SUPPORT FOR MINE ACTION New York, Apr 3 2008 5:00PM While the number of victims of landmines and explosive remnants of war has dropped significantly in the last decade, continued support is crucial to eliminating the threat posed by these deadly devices and ensuring a mine-free world, a senior United Nations humanitarian official said today.

Joint efforts by the UN and its partners in demining, mine-risk education and victim assistance have led to a reduction in the number of new casualties from 26,000 in 1997 to about 6,000 in 2006, said Catherine Bragg, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.

"We in the UN would want the number of new casualties to be reduced to zero as soon as possible," she told reporters on the eve of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, observed on 4 April.

Ms. Bragg, who is also Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, noted that the number of survivors continues to increase, with an estimated 473,000 people who may need life-long medical care and rehabilitation services.

According to the non-governmental Landmine Survivors Network, for each survivor, there are about four or five victims – members of families whose breadwinners may have lost limbs or eyesight. "That adds up to close to two million victims," she said.

In the decade since the landmark international anti-landmine treaty, often referred to as the Ottawa Convention, opened for signature, legal trade in anti-personnel landmines has been halted, tens of millions of stockpiled landmines have been destroyed and land has been cleared and returned to communities.

A team of 14 UN agencies, programmes, departments and funds – comprising the UN mine action team – supports and manages programmes in 42 countries and territories. "The UN pledges its support to any State that requests it," Ms. Bragg said.

"But our goal is to put ourselves out of business as soon as possible by eliminating the threat and by equipping national authorities with the technical and human resources they need to address the problems on their own," she added.

The International Day is being observed globally through a number of events, including press conferences, mine-risk education theatre performances, art exhibits and film screenings.
2008-04-03 00:00:00.000

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NEPAL: UN UNIT URGES RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AS ELECTION NEARS

NEPAL: UN UNIT URGES RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AS ELECTION NEARS New York, Apr 3 2008 5:00PM A week ahead of Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the country is urging all political parties and the Nepalese people to abide by the electoral code of conduct and ensure respect for human rights.

"The human rights relevant to the election include the right to freedom from intimidation and discrimination, as well as freedom of opinion and expression," UN spokesperson Marie Okabe said in New York.

She said that <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Pages/WelcomePage.aspx">OHCHR stresses that a sincere commitment by the people to respect these rights will create an environment for a successful and credible election.

Once elected, Assembly members are supposed to draft a new constitution for Nepal, where an estimated 13,000 people were killed during the decade-long civil war that ended when the Government and the Maoists signed a peace accord in 2006.

The polls were supposed to be held last year, but had to be delayed several times because of political disputes, and an upsurge of acts of violence in the Terai region and daily clashes between party supporters in March were also threatening to undermine the historic polls.

However, Ian Martin, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative to the country yesterday said that security now appears to be under control, after he toured troubled areas of the country and cantonment areas to check on arrangements for the poll.

OHCHR recommends a six-point strategy to ensure respect for human rights in the context of the election, including making sure that voters are free to make choices without fear and that children do not participate in political activities that risk their safety.

In other developments, Mr. Ban has <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/sga1129.doc.htm">appointed Aracelly Santana of Ecuador as his Deputy Special Representative for Nepal and Deputy Head of the UN Mission in Nepal (<"http://www.unmin.org.np/">UNMIN). Ms. Santana, who will assume her new functions on 21 April, succeeds Tamrat Samuel of Eritrea.

Ms. Santana is currently serving as Chief of Staff in UNMIN after having working in a range of posts since joining the UN in 1980, including positions of responsibility for African and the Americas regions in the Organization's Department of Political Affairs (DPA).
2008-04-03 00:00:00.000

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SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN HAILS ENTRY INTO FORCE OF TREATY ON DISABILITY RIGHTS

SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN HAILS ENTRY INTO FORCE OF TREATY ON DISABILITY RIGHTS New York, Apr 3 2008 5:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the entry into force of the first international treaty on the human rights of persons with disabilities, after the required twentieth country ratified the landmark convention today.

"It is a historic moment in our quest for realization of the universal human rights for ALL persons, creating a fully inclusive society for all," Mr. Ban's spokesperson Marie Okabe said in a statement celebrating the rapid progress of the Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was adopted in December 2006.

"The Convention will be a powerful tool to eradicate the obstacle faced by persons with disabilities," she said, pointing to discrimination, segregation from society, economic marginalization, and lack of opportunities for participation in social, political and economic decision-making processes.

Today's ratification by Ecuador means that the Convention, along with an optional protocol that will allow individuals and groups to petition for relief, will be legally binding as of 3 May. Tunisia and Jordan also ratified the treaty earlier this week.

Through today's statement, the Secretary-General also congratulated the States that have ratified or acceded to the Convention. Some 126 countries have signed the Convention since 30 March 2007, and 71 have signed the optional protocol.

"It is estimated that there are at least 650 million persons with disabilities worldwide, of whom approximately 80 percent live in less developed countries," Ms. Okabe noted.

As many as two-thirds of United Nations Member States do not have any legal protection for people with disabilities, according to the UN Focal Point on Disability Akiko Ito, even though they comprise one in 10 of the global population.

"The Convention, together with its Optional Protocol, is deeply rooted in the firm commitment of the international community to rectifying the egregious neglect and dehumanizing practices that violate the human rights of persons with disabilities," Ms. Okabe concluded, calling on all States that have not yet done so to accede or ratify it without delay.

In a statement issued this past weekend, more than 20 UN departments, agencies, programmes, and funds pledged their support to implementing the convention.

The newly-formed Inter-Agency Support Group for the Convention said that support will focus on six main areas: policies to support the purpose and objectives of the Convention; programmes including international cooperation; capacity-building of Member States, civil society, and the UN system; research and access to knowledge on disabilities; accessibility; and the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
2008-04-03 00:00:00.000

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CHAD, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, DARFUR MUST BE TACKLED TOGETHER - BAN KI-MOON

CHAD, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, DARFUR MUST BE TACKLED TOGETHER – BAN KI-MOON New York, Apr 3 2008 4:00PM The flare-up of civil strife, cross-border tension and displacement involving Chad, the Central African Republic (CAR) and Sudan should be addressed in a unified manner that is outside the mandate of the mission currently being deployed by the United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in a report released today.

In his <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2008/215">report on the Mission in CAR and Chad, known as <"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/minurcat/">MINURCAT, Mr. Ban writes: "The internal crisis in Chad, the situation facing refugees and internally displaced persons [IDPs] in eastern Chad and the Central African Republic, the tensions between Chad and the Sudan and the situation in Darfur should be addressed simultaneously."

This should be done, he adds, in a coordinated effort that takes into account the root causes of the internal conflicts and the regional dimensions of those problems.

"To date, however, neither MINURCAT nor EUFOR is ideally mandated to address these issues," he says, with the latter acronym referring to the European support force.

The innovative, multi-dimensional MINURCAT was set up by the Security Council last September to help protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid to thousands of people uprooted due to insecurity in the northeast of the CAR and eastern Chad and in the neighbouring Darfur region of Sudan.

It was mandated to comprise 300 police and 50 military liaison officers, as well as civilian staff, focusing on the areas of civil affairs, human rights and the rule of law. The strength as of 1 April stood at 163 national and 64 national staff.

Deployment was delayed when Chadian rebels advanced from the area of the border with Sudan in a bid to take Chad's capital, N'Djamena in early February. Though the rebels were eventually driven out of the city, street fighting left many dead and UN staff were evacuated.

Also in early February, about 10,000 people from West Darfur sought refuge in eastern Chad following a series of deadly air and land attacks by the Sudanese Government and its allied militia.

In addition, the Prime Minister of the CAR resigned in January and in the subsequent period many thousands fled their villages due to raids by armed groups, with many making their way to Chad.

These problems are complex and all require comprehensive solutions worked out between the many parties involved, Mr. Ban notes in the report.

"While the international community can assist the parties in settling their internal and bilateral differences through constructive means, in the final analysis the parties themselves must demonstrate the political will and commitment necessary to resolve the underlying political and security challenges in the area," he says.

He maintains that it is crucial, in particular, for Chad and Sudan to reach a negotiated and comprehensive settlement of their disputes, and he welcomes the signing of an agreement on 14 March in Dakar between the presidents of the two countries that called for reconciliation and normalization of relations.

In addition, with conditions remaining perilous in eastern Chad, the protection of refugees, IDPs and the flow of humanitarian aid must be assured, he says.

As the Chadian Government seeks increased coverage of IDP sites by its police force, Mr. Ban will ask that the review of MINURCAT and EUFOR, which is due in September, look at this issue and develop recommendations.
2008-04-03 00:00:00.000

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EXPERIENCED UN OFFICIAL FROM GUYANA TO HEAD HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

EXPERIENCED UN OFFICIAL FROM GUYANA TO HEAD HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT New York, Apr 3 2008 2:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has announced that he has selected Guyana's Catherine Pollard to be the new Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management, calling her appointment a cornerstone of his efforts to strengthen the United Nations in this area.

Ms. Pollard, currently the chief of staff in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), has a proven track record in financial, human resources and general administrative management, UN spokesperson Marie Okabe told reporters today.

"Ms. Pollard brings to OHRM [the Office of Human Resources Management] her demonstrated capacity to forge collaborative partnerships with different groups of stakeholders in order to get the job done," Ms. Okabe said.

At the world body she has worked with the UN Development Programme (<"http://www.undp.org/">UNDP), the UN Protection Force in Croatia (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/co_mission/unprofor.htm">UNPROFOR) and the UN Volunteers programme (<"http://www.unv.org/">UNV) among others.

As Assistant Secretary-General, Ms. Pollard succeeds Jan Beagle of New Zealand, who was appointed Deputy Director General of the UN Office in Geneva (<"http://www.unog.ch/">UNOG).
2008-04-03 00:00:00.000

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REOPENING OF KEY CYPRUS CROSSING RAISES HOPES FOR SETTLEMENT - UN OFFICIAL

REOPENING OF KEY CYPRUS CROSSING RAISES HOPES FOR SETTLEMENT – UN OFFICIAL New York, Apr 3 2008 1:00PM The top United Nations official in Cyprus welcomed today's opening, after more than four decades, of the Ledra Street crossing in Nicosia, calling it a historic symbol of the renewed drive to bring together the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on the Mediterranean island.

"We all know that the opening of Ledra Street does not mean the Cyprus problem has been solved," acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General Elizabeth Spehar said at today's ceremony in Nicosia. "That will require much more work among Cypriots as well as support from all those who wish to see a just and durable settlement in this country.

"But the opening does give us a glimpse of what is possible when those elements come together," she added.

Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed to open the crossing point in a UN-hosted meeting on 21 March, during which they also agreed to start full-fledged negotiations within three months on resolving the long-running dispute on the island.

The opening was also welcomed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who called it "the symbol of a new and hopeful environment."

In a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3074">statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban pledged the world body's support "as the Cypriots now embark on what will be a challenging process towards renewed negotiations aimed at reunifying the island."

In a related development, the new Force Commander of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unficyp/index.html">UNFICYP), Rear Admiral Mario César Sánchez Debernardi of Peru, assumed his duties today.

Established in March 1964 following the outbreak of inter-community violence in Cyprus, UNFICYP is tasked with preventing a recurrence of fighting, contributing to a return to normal conditions and the maintenance of law and order.
2008-04-03 00:00:00.000

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ECUADOR: UNICEF CONTINUES SUPPORT TO YOUNG VICTIMS OF WIDESPREAD FLOODING

ECUADOR: UNICEF CONTINUES SUPPORT TO YOUNG VICTIMS OF WIDESPREAD FLOODING New York, Apr 3 2008 1:00PM The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is continuing its relief efforts in Ecuador, where thousands of people are still living in temporary shelters in the wake of torrential rains and floods that have pummelled the country since the start of the year.

About 40 per cent of the displaced are children, UNICEF reported yesterday, adding that at least 14,000 Ecuadorians are currently living in shelters and schools because of the rain and floods, which have devastated cropland and killed around two dozen people.

The agency has begun a programme with the National Institute for Children and Family to provide emotional and psychological support to more than 10,000 children traumatized by the floods. Hundreds of volunteers have been trained and given backpacks containing recreational materials for young people.

UNICEF said it was also working with the Ecuadorian health ministry to provide chloride equipment, safe water, mattresses and insecticide-treated mosquito nets as part of efforts to prevent the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

Many people are currently living in the midst of what are effectively immense polluted lakes, with the only transportation being small wooden boats. The coastal lowlands have been the hardest hit by the weather this year and national authorities have warned that floods are likely to last through next month.
2008-04-03 00:00:00.000

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LESOTHO FOURTH COUNTRY TO SEE (RED) FUNDS TO FIGHT AIDS, UN SAYS

LESOTHO FOURTH COUNTRY TO SEE (RED) FUNDS TO FIGHT AIDS, UN SAYS New York, Apr 3 2008 12:00PM The southern African nation of Lesotho has become the fourth country assisted by the United Nations-backed Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to <" http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/media_center/press/pr_080403.asp">receive funds from the consumer-driven (PRODUCT) RED initiative.

(RED), which gets a portion of the sales of sponsoring products for proven HIV projects in Africa, was launched in 2006 by Irish musician Bono and Bobby Shriver, nephew of former United States President John F. Kennedy.

Lesotho, in which one fourth of the population is infected by the HIV virus, joins Rwanda, Swaziland and Ghana in the Global Fund-(RED) portfolio, which has benefited from more than $100 million in income generated so far.

"We are delighted to announce the addition of Lesotho to the three countries already receiving (RED) funds," said Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund, which, along with the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), finances most major AIDS treatment and prevention initiatives in developing countries.

"The Global Fund-supported programme is contributing to stemming the growth of AIDS in Lesotho and ensuring treatment and care for thousands of people living with the disease," Dr. Kazatchkine added.

The Global Fund selects programs for (RED) investment based on their proven track record, ambitious targets and the countries' undisputed need, according to a press release.

In keeping with the Fund's philosophy of supporting local solutions, the Global Fund (RED)-supported programme in Lesotho is managed by the country's Ministry of Finance.

The programme assists with antiretroviral therapy for AIDS patients, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, home-based care for people living with HIV, counselling and testing for HIV and basic care for vulnerable children, the Fund said.
2008-04-03 00:00:00.000

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UN REPORT CITES MAJOR GAINS IN TREATING WOMEN AND CHILDREN WITH AIDS

UN REPORT CITES MAJOR GAINS IN TREATING WOMEN AND CHILDREN WITH AIDS New York, Apr 3 2008 12:00PM A United Nations report released today shows progress in treating children with AIDS and preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, but urges greater efforts to stem the tide of the global epidemic.

According to <"http://www.unicef.org/media/files/Children_and_AIDS_-_Second_Stocktaking_Report.pdf">Children and AIDS, there were some 2.1 million children under 15 living with HIV in 2007, most of whom were infected before birth, during delivery or while breastfeeding. And young people aged 15-24 still account for about 40 per cent of the new HIV infections among all people over 15 in 2007.

In addition, an estimated 290,000 children under 15 died from AIDS last year, and 12.1 million children in sub-Saharan Africa lost one or both parents to the disease.

"Today's children and young people have never known a world free of AIDS," said Ann M. Veneman, Executive Director of the UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_43458.html">UNICEF), which along with the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (<"http://www.unaids.org/en/">UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/hiv/en/">WHO) produced the report.

"Thousands lose their lives to the disease every year, and millions have lost parents and caregivers," she stated. "Children must be at the heart of the global AIDS agenda."

The report examines progress and challenges in four key areas – preventing HIV transmission from mothers to children (PMTCT), providing paediatric treatment, preventing infection among adolescents and young people, and protecting and supporting children affected by AIDS.

Among other findings, the report says that by the end of 2006, 21 countries, including Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa and Thailand, were on track to meeting the target of 80 per cent coverage for PMTCT by 2010, up from only 11 countries in 2005.

Also, the number of HIV-positive children in low- and middle-income countries receiving antiretroviral treatment rose by 70 per cent from 2005 to 2006. While the proportion of HIV-positive pregnant women receiving antiretrovirals to reduce mother-to-child transmission increased by 60 per cent during the same period, it is estimated that only 23 per cent of HIV-positive pregnant women are receiving antiretrovirals.

"We are making progress but still face many challenges," said Dr. Kevin DeCock, Director of WHO's HIV Division. "Critically, we must provide antiretroviral treatment for women who require it for their own health, which will save their lives but also assure a future for their children. To achieve all this, health systems and their most precious component, the health care workforce, must be strengthened."

Progress has been made in many countries with regard to the protection and care of children affected by AIDS and on their access to social services, as well as in school enrolment rates for children who have lost both parents to the disease. At the same time, AIDS-affected children are still more likely than other children to fall behind in school and to live in poorer households, according to the report.

UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot noted that while important gains have been made in addressing treatment needs for children and in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. "However, much more needs to be done to prevent HIV amongst young people and adolescents if we are to make a major change in the direction of the epidemic," he stressed.

The report urges more resources for prevention, treatment and protection efforts, implementing new initiatives and scaling up those that have already been tested and proven effective.
2008-04-03 00:00:00.000

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INVESTMENTS IN AGRICULTURE KEY TO REDUCING POVERTY IN AFRICA - UN OFFICIAL

INVESTMENTS IN AGRICULTURE KEY TO REDUCING POVERTY IN AFRICA – UN OFFICIAL New York, Apr 3 2008 12:00PM A senior United Nations official has called for greater investments in agriculture and rural development to boost economic growth and reduce poverty in Africa, both of which are critical to achieving the global target of halving poverty and hunger by 2015.

"Rapid agricultural and rural development holds the key to eliminating poverty in Africa," Kanayo Nwanze, Vice-President of the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) <"http://www.ifad.org/media/press/2008/21.htm">told the meeting of African Union and the UN <"http://www.uneca.org/">Economic Commission for Africa delegates gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

"A concerted, coordinated and collective effort is the most effective way to tackle the triple scourge of poverty, climate change and high food prices and to guarantee a sustainable future for women, marginalized groups and smallholder farmers in Africa," he stated.

Mr. Nwanze stressed that the situation in Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, remains critical and recent food price riots in some African countries are likely to expand in the coming months. "The escalation of social unrest we have seen in Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Senegal may become commonplace in other African countries," he said.

While noting the gains achieved by sub-Saharan African countries in recent years, several UN officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, have cited an urgent need to scale up efforts to meet the global anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs) by 2015.
According to IFAD, the proportion of people in sub-Saharan Africa living in extreme poverty remains above 40 per cent. In addition, while the proportion of undernourished people in Africa decreased between 1990 and 2000 – from 29 per cent to 27 per cent – the absolute number of undernourished people rose by about 20 per cent – from 174 million to 212 million – during the same period.

The Fund is currently supporting more than 120 programmes and projects in Africa, worth over $2.6 billion. Almost half of that funding is provided by IFAD and the rest is from partners, including national governments.
2008-04-03 00:00:00.000

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INVESTMENTS IN AGRICULTURE KEY TO REDUCING POVERTY IN AFRICA - UN OFFICIAL

INVESTMENTS IN AGRICULTURE KEY TO REDUCING POVERTY IN AFRICA – UN OFFICIAL New York, Apr 3 2008 11:00AM A senior United Nations official has called for greater investments in agriculture and rural development to boost economic growth and reduce poverty in Africa, both of which are critical to achieving the global target of halving poverty and hunger by 2015.

"Rapid agricultural and rural development holds the key to eliminating poverty in Africa," Kanayo Nwanze, Vice-President of the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) <"http://www.ifad.org/media/press/2008/21.htm">told the meeting of African Union and the UN <"http://www.uneca.org/">Economic Commission for Africa delegates gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

"A concerted, coordinated and collective effort is the most effective way to tackle the triple scourge of poverty, climate change and high food prices and to guarantee a sustainable future for women, marginalized groups and smallholder farmers in Africa," he stated.

Mr. Nwanze stressed that the situation in Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, remains critical and recent food price riots in some African countries are likely to expand in the coming months. "The escalation of social unrest we have seen in Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Senegal may become commonplace in other African countries," he said.

While noting the gains achieved by sub-Saharan African countries in recent years, several UN officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, have cited an urgent need to scale up efforts to meet the global anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs) by 2015.
According to IFAD, the proportion of people in sub-Saharan Africa living in extreme poverty remains above 40 per cent. In addition, while the proportion of undernourished people in Africa decreased between 1990 and 2000 – from 29 per cent to 27 per cent – the absolute number of undernourished people rose by about 20 per cent – from 174 million to 212 million – during the same period.

The Fund is currently supporting more than 120 programmes and projects in Africa, worth over $2.6 billion. Almost half of that funding is provided by IFAD and the rest is from partners, including national governments.
2008-04-03 00:00:00.000

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SECURITY COUNCIL TO FOCUS ON RELATIONSHIP WITH REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS THIS MONTH

SECURITY COUNCIL TO FOCUS ON RELATIONSHIP WITH REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS THIS MONTH New York, Apr 2 2008 7:00PM Strengthening the relationship between the United Nations and regional organizations such as the African Union will be the focus of the programme of work at the Security Council this month, its current President <"http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs//2008/080402_Kumalo.doc.htm">told reporters today.

Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo of South Africa, which holds the rotating presidency for April, said the 15 ambassadors in the Council will hold a historic meeting on 16 April with the 15 members of the AU's Peace and Security Council.

A day later, South African President Thabo Mbeki is scheduled to chair an open debate – to be attended by several heads of State – on the relationship between the AU and other regional groups and the UN, with a focus on current conflicts in Africa.

Mr. Kumalo said invitations had been sent to many heads of State, including Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and Chadian President Idriss Déby, to attend the Council events. Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo and Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed have already confirmed their participation.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a report released recently that it was time for regional organizations to play a greater role with the UN in conflict prevention, management and resolution.

Mr. Ban has proposed the formation of an AU-UN panel within the next three months to consider how to support peacekeeping operations undertaken by regional organizations, especially with regard to start-up funding, equipment and logistics.

Mr. Kumalo said the Council was also likely to take up, among others, the issues of Western Sahara, Lebanon, Kosovo, Somalia, Cyprus, Myanmar and small arms this month.
2008-04-02 00:00:00.000

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HAITI PROGRESSING TOWARD STABILITY, BUT REQUIRES SUSTAINED WORK - BAN KI-MOON

HAITI PROGRESSING TOWARD STABILITY, BUT REQUIRES SUSTAINED WORK – BAN KI-MOON New York, Apr 2 2008 7:00PM The leaders of Haiti and the international community must persevere in their efforts to help restore stability to the impoverished country, which has made significant strides but "the potential for regression remains," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2008/202">report released today.

"It is imperative that all those involved in the stabilization of Haiti redouble their efforts to enable the country to seize this historic opportunity to emerge from the destructive cycles of the past," Mr. Ban writes in his latest report on the activities of the UN Stabilization Mission for Haiti (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/minustah/">MINUSTAH).

In the report, Mr. Ban notes that collaboration among the political leadership has led to progress in judicial reform, an agreement on the establishment of a new Provisional Electoral Council and other compromise measures.

The security situation, he says, has also improved considerably, thanks in part to the support provided by the UN to the Haitian law-enforcement authorities. In addition, the economy is at its best in decades.

However Mr. Ban cautions that tensions between political actors and among branches of the Government have distracted from the reform agenda.

"The institutions of governance continued to suffer from a lack of qualified personnel, poor infrastructure and limited resources," he says.

And, despite the improvement of security since 2007 – when major operations were undertaken against gangs – the potential for volatility remains, he stresses, citing an increase in criminality in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

According to the report, the average number of reported kidnappings per month for the period from December 2007 to February 2008 reached 28, up from 11 six months earlier. There are also indications that gangs may be trying to reorganize themselves.

In addition, the report says that anti-Government demonstrations have increased, many of them focusing on the rising cost of living.

Because of these challenges, Mr. Ban says that MINUSTAH's assistance in security, rule-of-law reform and other key areas remains central to the successful strengthening of State institutions.

He adds that institutional reform cannot succeed without extensive bilateral support, expressing hope that the establishment of a "rule-of-law trust fund" will be useful for channelling assistance in this area.

The coordinated efforts of donors, together with those of the UN country team and the international financial institutions, are also vital to improve socio-economic conditions, which are inextricably linked to the achievement of stability, he maintains.

To keep the international community engaged in Haiti – and avoid a reversal of recent gains – the Secretary-General says that he will soon introduce a plan for the next phase of work, with measurable benchmarks.
2008-04-02 00:00:00.000

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MUTUAL ACCOUNTABILITY NEEDED TO ACHIEVE ANTI-POVERTY GOALS - ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT

MUTUAL ACCOUNTABILITY NEEDED TO ACHIEVE ANTI-POVERTY GOALS – ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT New York, Apr 2 2008 6:00PM Mutual accountability between rich and poor States is the only way forward to achieving the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs), the General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim said today, <"http://www.un.org/ga/president/62/statements/MDGsOpeningGA20408.shtml">addressing a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/ga10697.doc.htm">debate on how to best achieve those Goals by 2015.

Mr. Kerim said it was clear from the discussions so far – the multi-day debate in the Assembly began yesterday with a series of speeches and panel discussions – "that we have the solutions. The key issue is that we all have to deliver on our commitments, scale up our efforts and accelerate progress. Failure is not an option."

The Assembly President stressed that it was important not to "descend into mutual accusations" that would divert attention from taking real action to achieve the MDGs, which include pledges to drastically reduce poverty, improve maternal and child health and ensure much greater access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

"When aid is effectively aligned behind national governments and predictable over the long term, rapid progress can be achieved," he said. "Leaders across every level of the development system now need to hold themselves to account… We need to urgently translate political commitments – made at the highest level – into results on the ground."

Mr. Kerim said yesterday's panel discussions on education, health, poverty and hunger reaffirmed the view that making progress on those fronts is crucial to achieving all of the eight MDGs.

Yesterday he told the opening of the debate that the world has a "critical window of opportunity" this year to accelerate progress towards the MDGs by translating earlier commitments into concrete action.

Recent reports have indicated that sub-Saharan Africa remains well off track to achieving any of the Goals, and the debate has heard calls for renewed commitment to help the continent make greater progress.
2008-04-02 00:00:00.000

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BURKINA FASO'S CHILDREN EDUCATE CHILDREN ABOUT HIV IN UN-SUPPORTED PROJECT

BURKINA FASO'S CHILDREN EDUCATE CHILDREN ABOUT HIV IN UN-SUPPORTED PROJECT New York, Apr 2 2008 6:00PM Thousands of children in Burkina Faso are taking part in peer education programmes to promote awareness among the country's young about the scourge of HIV/AIDS under a project backed by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The African Youth Network Against AIDS, the youth arm of a non-governmental organization supported by <"http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burkinafaso_43446.html">UNICEF, has sponsored a network of clubs for young people that has grown to almost 2,000 and in which sport, education and other activities are used to teach awareness about how to avoid the disease.

Club discussions are based on the children's existing knowledge and misconceptions – often drawn from the street – about HIV, with some teenagers or younger children chosen as peer educators to clarify whether the information aired is correct.

One of the educators is Kiemde, a 12-year-old who lost his father two years ago to HIV/AIDS. His club holds activities at weekends in Bissighin, on the outskirts of Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, and has about 25 members.

"I believe we young people need to be sufficiently informed about HIV/AIDS to better know how to avoid it," he said, adding that it is sometimes difficult to persuade local children to participate in club activities.

"At first, many of my classmates were reluctant to join the club, pretending HIV/AIDS is adults' business. Now that they can perceive some of the benefits we get from our discussions, they understand this is their business, too."

Burkina Faso is one of many countries in sub-Saharan Africa to be hit hard by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. About 17,000 Burkinabé children aged 14 and under are currently estimated to be living with HIV.
2008-04-02 00:00:00.000

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HIP HOP STAR RECORDS UN MESSAGES TO URGE HAITIANS TO TURN AWAY FROM CRIME

HIP HOP STAR RECORDS UN MESSAGES TO URGE HAITIANS TO TURN AWAY FROM CRIME New York, Apr 2 2008 5:00PM The Grammy Award-winning Haitian hip hop artist Wyclef Jean has taken to the airwaves of his native country to urge his compatriots to stop committing crimes in a series of advertisements created by the United Nations peacekeeping mission to the impoverished Caribbean country.

In the Creole-language audio messages, recorded for free at a studio operated by the mission, known as MINUSTAH, Mr. Jean focuses on the crimes of kidnapping, rape and "restavek," or the local practice of using children as slave labour.

"If you love Wyclef, that means you love Haiti," the musician says in one of the public service announcements (PSAs). "So you should not be raping women, kidnapping people and children, because there can be no excuse for doing so. I reject these evil practices."

MINUSTAH has distributed the ads over the past two months to more than 20 radio and television stations across the country to boost public awareness at a time when Haitian authorities are dealing with a sharp spike in crimes, particularly kidnappings of children.

Last month the mission and the Haitian National Police (HNP) announced they were setting up roadblocks and motorized patrols around the country to try to combat the crime wave.

The scripts for the ads were largely written by Jean Buteau Remarque of MINUSTAH's child protection unit and were drawn in part from the lyrics of Mr. Jean's music.

Massimo Toschi, a child protection adviser with the mission, told the UN News Centre today that the proposal for the advertisements emerged late last year during talks between Mr. Jean – who runs his own non-governmental organization (NGO) in Haiti – and senior MINUSTAH officials about the latest developments in the country, the poorest in the Western Hemisphere.
2008-04-02 00:00:00.000

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AFGHANISTAN TOPS TALKS AS BAN KI-MOON MEETS NATO, ROMANIAN OFFICIALS

AFGHANISTAN TOPS TALKS AS BAN KI-MOON MEETS NATO, ROMANIAN OFFICIALS New York, Apr 2 2008 5:00PM Afghanistan was a key feature of discussions between Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Romania, which is hosting a three-day summit of the alliance beginning today in Bucharest.

Following his arrival in the Romanian capital, Mr. Ban met with NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, with whom he discussed the situation in strife-torn Afghanistan.

In particular, they talked about whether additional troops would be offered at tomorrow's high-level meeting which will also be attended by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan Kai Eide and other key stakeholders, UN spokesperson Marie Okabe told reporters.

They also discussed Kosovo, and cooperation between the UN and NATO.

Afghanistan and Kosovo were also on the agenda as the Secretary-General met later in the day with the Romanian Prime Minister, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, as were an expanded UN role in Iraq and the set of global anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Mr. Ban said he appreciated Romania's contributions to UN peacekeeping operations – from Kosovo to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – as well as its voluntary funding to 15 UN agencies, funds and programmes.

"I am very grateful for the generous support and active participation of Romania in all activities of the United Nations," he stated.
2008-04-02 00:00:00.000

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CYPRIOTS 'RIGHT TO HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS' FOR A SETTLEMENT, TOP UN OFFICIAL SAYS

CYPRIOTS 'RIGHT TO HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS' FOR A SETTLEMENT, TOP UN OFFICIAL SAYS New York, Apr 2 2008 4:00PM There is a "palpable sense of momentum" in Cyprus toward a lasting solution to the dispute between the Mediterranean island's two communities, the top United Nations political official said today after wrapping up a visit.

B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, told a press conference held in Nicosia that "Cypriots are right to have high expectations" given the positive tone of the Greek Cypriot leader Demetrios Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in recent discussions.

Mr. Pascoe said the UN hoped and expected that efforts over the next three months would lead towards full-fledged negotiations on a settlement to the dispute.

"We all know that achieving a solution will not be easy… It will require a lot of hard work and compromise, but I am confident in the end the two sides, with our help, can succeed," he said.

In response to questions, Mr. Pascoe said he expected to visit both Athens and Ankara next week for talks with Greek and Turkish officials. He is also scheduled to report to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and to the Security Council when he returns to New York.

"I have certainly talked with all the interested countries around and all of them have assured me that they are quite enthusiastic about the process moving forward. There is a lot of goodwill that wants a resolution of the Cyprus problem."

The Ledra Street crossing in Nicosia is slated to open tomorrow morning after the two sides reached an agreement late last month that was welcomed by Mr. Ban as a "positive step forward."
2008-04-02 00:00:00.000

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AS ELECTION IN NEPAL NEARS, UN ENVOY SAYS SECURITY APPEARS UNDER CONTROL

AS ELECTION IN NEPAL NEARS, UN ENVOY SAYS SECURITY APPEARS UNDER CONTROL New York, Apr 2 2008 4:00PM On the third stop of his tour of Nepal ahead of historic elections, the United Nations' top envoy in the south Asian country said that security appears to be under control for the poll, despite recent political violence.

"All the officials that I have talked to with security responsibilities – chief district officers, police, Armed Police Force - have expressed the view that they are able to make adequate security arrangements," Ian Martin, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative in Nepal, told journalists after he visited a cantonment site for Maoist rebels in the west of the country.

"And in my contacts with representatives of political parties, of civil society, of national election monitoring organisations, almost no one has suggested that the election cannot or should not go ahead, although, of course, there is concern," he added.

As he has at previous stops, Mr. Martin reiterated that the United Nations Mission in Nepal (<"http://www.unmin.org.np/?d=activities&p=activity_detail&aid=162">UNMIN) and its regional offices will exert their utmost efforts to make the current electoral process successful.

He also repeated the message that all political parties must respect the code of conduct they all agreed to, which affirms the right to campaign freely without obstruction in any district or village.

In that regard, he welcomed the agreement signed yesterday by the leaders of the three major parties of the governing Seven-Party Alliance. The agreement commits to hold the historic Constituent Assembly election in "a free, impartial and fearless manner."

Responding to questions about recent reports that some of the Maoist combatants had violated agreements and come out of the cantonment site to campaign, he said that UNMIN investigations had confirmed that "that while there was a problem a little time back, the situation has now improved and free campaigning is going on in the area around the cantonment site."

He stressed that "UNMIN will do the most it can through its arms monitors to monitor compliance" by both the national and Maoist forces, with their commitments under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the decade-long civil war in 2006.

Mr. Martin travels to the hill district of Baitadi in the far-western region tomorrow where he will meet local electoral officials and UNMIN electoral advisers before returning to Nepal's capital, Kathmandu.
2008-04-02 00:00:00.000

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SCHOOL ENROLMENT SOARS IN SOUTHERN SUDAN THANKS TO UN-BACKED INITIATIVE

SCHOOL ENROLMENT SOARS IN SOUTHERN SUDAN THANKS TO UN-BACKED INITIATIVE New York, Apr 2 2008 2:00PM Some 1.3 million children in southern Sudan are expected to start classes this year, compared to just 340,000 in 2005, thanks to an initiative supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to boost school enrolment and strengthen the education system.

The "Go to School" Initiative was launched a year after the January 2005 signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which ended the north-south civil war that killed as many as two million people and displaced 4.5 million others.

Underscoring the need to build on the gains made so far, <"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_43443.html">UNICEF Country Representative in Sudan Ted Chaiban stressed that education is the single most important investment for southern Sudan. "We need a determination that is unshaken to get every southern Sudanese child into school and receiving a quality education," he said.

A major milestone has been the increase in the number of girls in school – some 34 per cent of the 1.3 million children now in school. During the civil war less than 1 per cent of girls completed their primary education.

Along with promoting enrolment, UNICEF has also been supporting the Government of Southern Sudan in building over 200 new permanent classrooms, rehabilitating nearly 300 existing classrooms, and providing 400 emergency classroom tents while construction gets under way. A 2006 survey showed that only 16 per cent of the nearly 3,000 schools in the region had permanent buildings.

The initiative has also supported the training of 5,000 teachers, and distributed millions of school supplies to students and instructors.

Mr. Chaiban said the focus this year is on constructing more permanent classrooms, continued teacher training and the strengthening of an information management system.

"By working closely with the Government of Southern Sudan and other partners, we are confident that more and more children will enjoy their right to a quality education, delivered in a quality environment," he stated.
2008-04-02 00:00:00.000

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TAJIKISTAN AND UN AGENCY AGREE ON DEAL TO INTEGRATE AFGHAN REFUGEES

TAJIKISTAN AND UN AGENCY AGREE ON DEAL TO INTEGRATE AFGHAN REFUGEES New York, Apr 2 2008 1:00PM About 1,000 Afghans who have been living in neighbouring Tajikistan for up to 20 years will be able to apply for permanent residency and citizenship under a cooperation agreement worked out by the United Nations refugee agency and the Tajik Government.

In a joint communiqué signed yesterday by UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/47f3a4334.html">UNHCR) António Guterres and Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi, Tajikistan and the UN agency also announced a series of measures aimed at making the refugees more self-sufficient.

The two sides will jointly conduct training courses for the refugees and their children on professional and technical education and on Tajik- and Russian-language studies. UNHCR and international aid organizations will also work together to improve the schools and health-care facilities used by the refugees.

Mr. Guterres congratulated Tajikistan on the agreement, saying the country's people were showing a willingness to "extend their generosity to others who need protection."

The communiqué was signed on the first day of a four-day visit by the High Commissioner to Tajikistan, the first country in Central Asia to accede to both the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol.

Mr. Guterres held meetings with many senior Government figures, including Mr. Zarifi, President Emomali Rahmon, Labour and Social Protection Minister Shukurjon Zuhurov and Internal Affairs Minister Mahmadnazar Salikhov. He also talked with refugees and met the non-governmental organization (NGO) partners of UNHCR.
2008-04-02 00:00:00.000

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AFRICA NEEDS BETTER METEOROLOGICAL MONITORING FOR DEVELOPMENT - UN OFFICIAL

AFRICA NEEDS BETTER METEOROLOGICAL MONITORING FOR DEVELOPMENT – UN OFFICIAL New York, Apr 2 2008 1:00PM Given Africa's vulnerability to climate change, variability and extreme weather events, better meteorological services are crucial for its development and the struggle against poverty, the head of the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said today.

"African National Meteorological and Hydrological Services must be seen as actors of development," Michel Jarraud, the <"http://www.wmo.ch/pages/mediacentre/press_releases/pr_812_en.html">WMO Secretary-General, told a conference of finance and economy meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the aegis of the African Union (AU).

"They have an important role to play in regional and international action plans, particularly with regard to evaluating and monitoring the environment, preparing for natural hazards, agricultural production, water resources and, particularly, climate change," Mr Jarraud continued.

Many African countries are among the world's least developed and consequently are the most susceptible to threats posed by meteorological and hydrological disasters, such as drought, flooding, cyclones, dust storms and other extreme weather events, the WMO said in a press release.

In February, for example, Cyclone Ivan caused catastrophic floods in Mozambique and Madagascar, resulting in enormous losses in human life, agricultural production and property.

Drought has plagued many countries across sub-Saharan Africa, causing water shortages and damaging crops and threatening food security.

But if more is invested in developing the observational capacities of their national meteorological and hydrological services, improved weather forecasts, improved early warnings of imminent natural hazards and climate change can be made available to decision-makers and end-users, the agency said.

Mr. Jarraud said that at present, however, African meteorological services are far from ideal to perform those critical functions.

"Serious gaps still exist in observation networks, often due to instrument and systems failure, as well as the high costs of operation and maintenance," he said, urging that African leaders focus on fixing the problem.

"Leaders can promote this by investing in and developing methods that can assess the socio-economic advantages of national meteorological and hydrological weather services," he proposed.
2008-04-02 00:00:00.000

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LIBERIA: UN REPORT RECOMMENDS GOVERNMENT ACTION TO BOLSTER HUMAN RIGHTS

LIBERIA: UN REPORT RECOMMENDS GOVERNMENT ACTION TO BOLSTER HUMAN RIGHTS New York, Apr 2 2008 12:00PM Legal prohibitions of all forms of violence against children, more resources for rural education and better human rights training for national police are among the recommendations in a new United Nations report on Liberia.

The report, compiled by the UN Mission in Liberia (<"http://www.unmil.org/article.asp?id=2713">UNMIL), covers the human rights situation from May to October 2007 in the West African country, which has made significant strides of late in recovering from a devastating civil war.

The report focuses mainly on economic, social, civil and political rights violations, sexual and gender-based violence, as well as inadequate detention and educational facilities, following the integrated approach of the country's poverty reduction strategy.

"This strategy aims to integrate a human rights-based approach in programmes or policies by the government in order to promote the fulfilment of all human rights be they economic, social, cultural, civil or political," the report states in its introduction.

Among the violations of rights highlighted in the report are three cases in which parents allegedly attempted to sell their children in order to buy food.

The report cites instances of corruption in the criminal justice system, involving Liberia National Police (LNP) officers, court officials and prisons authorities.

Other issues of concern include poor detention conditions, the reported operation of private detention facilities and sexual and gender-based violence, including rape and forced marriage.

Recommendations of the <"http://www.unmil.org/documents/humanrights_may_oct_2007_report.pdf">report include ensuring that the right to education is ensured through the allocation of more resources, with emphasis on schools located in rural parts of the country.

Specific changes in the legal codes are advocated, including prohibitions against corporal punishment and female genital mutilation, in addition to collaboration with the Human Rights and Protection Section of UNMIL to train LNP personnel in rights issues.
2008-04-02 00:00:00.000

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UN HUMANITARIAN CHIEF TO EMBARK ON FOUR-NATION GULF VISIT

UN HUMANITARIAN CHIEF TO EMBARK ON FOUR-NATION GULF VISIT New York, Apr 2 2008 11:00AM The top United Nations humanitarian official will be travelling later this week to Saudi Arabia, the first leg of a four-nation tour that will also take him to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar.

John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, is scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia on 5 April.

"The purpose of his visit is to strengthen collaboration and partnership between Gulf States and the United Nations in addressing humanitarian issues worldwide," according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (<"http://ochaonline.un.org/">OCHA).

Mr. Holmes will be travelling with Abdul Aziz Muhammad Arrukban, who was appointed last year as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Humanitarian Envoy to ensure more effective coordination between UN relief efforts and those of governments and aid groups in the Middle East and North Africa.

They will be meeting with government officials, senior representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Red Crescent Societies to encourage their active support of UN humanitarian activities.

Mr. Holmes will also give the keynote speech at the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference on 8 April.
2008-04-02 00:00:00.000

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SECRETARY-GENERAL HAILS COURAGE OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES CONFRONTING AUTISM

SECRETARY-GENERAL HAILS COURAGE OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES CONFRONTING AUTISM New York, Apr 2 2008 11:00AM As the United Nations marked the first World Autism Awareness Day, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid tribute to the courage of children with autism and their families, who strive every day "to confront the disability with a powerful combination of determination, creativity and hope."

The General Assembly <" http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/ga10678.doc.htm">declared 2 April as <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=a/c.3/62/L.22">World Autism Awareness Day last November in a bid to highlight the need to help improve the lives of children and adults who suffer from the complex brain disorder.

Autism, which affects people all around the globe, impedes the ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioural challenges.

In his <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/sgsm11480.doc.htm">message marking the Day, Mr. Ban stressed the need to build enabling environments for children with disabilities so they can prosper as future members of their communities, citizens of their countries and as fully-fledged members of the global community.

"Let us empower them and respond to their needs today, so as to make our societies more accessible, enabling and empowering for all our children tomorrow," he stated.

The Secretary-General noted that throughout its history, the UN has promoted the rights and well-being of the disabled, including children with developmental disabilities.

"It is especially fitting that this inaugural Day falls in 2008 -- the year in which we celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the United Nations Declaration for Human Rights, and expect to see the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted by the General Assembly in 2006," he added.

UN Headquarters in New York is marking the Day with a discussion sponsored by Qatar, which spearheaded the initiative to create an annual observance, along with the World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/topics/mmr/mmr_autism/en/">WHO) and the non-governmental organization Autism Speaks.
2008-04-02 00:00:00.000

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GLOBAL RICE PRODUCTION TO RISE BY 1.8 PER CENT IN 2008, SAYS UN AGENCY

GLOBAL RICE PRODUCTION TO RISE BY 1.8 PER CENT IN 2008, SAYS UN AGENCY New York, Apr 2 2008 10:00AM Global rice production is expected to increase by 1.8 per cent – or 12 million tonnes – this year, easing a tight supply situation in key cultivating countries, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) <" http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2008/1000820/index.html">said today.

Assuming normal weather conditions, sizable production increases are expected in all the major Asian rice-producing countries – Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand, where supply and demand are currently rather stretched.

"The international rice market is currently facing a particularly difficult situation with demand outstripping supply and substantial price increases," said FAO Senior Economist Concepcion Calpe.

She added that higher rice production in 2008 could reduce the pressure, but short-term volatility will probably continue, given the very limited supplies available from stocks. "This implies that the market may react very strongly to any good or bad news about crops or policies," she stated.

Production is also expected to rise in Africa, Latin America and the European Union, while it may contract in Japan, one of the few countries where producer prices fell last year, the agency said.

Meanwhile, the forecast for Australia is "dismal," in light of extremely low water availability, and a decrease is also expected in the United States, owing to competition from more profitable crops.

According to FAO, global rice prices have risen by about 20 per cent since January, reflecting the limited supplies available for sale. Prices are not likely to rise further in the coming months, with the arrival of new rice harvests in Brazil or Uruguay, as well as in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Viet Nam. "So far, prospects regarding these crops are positive," said Ms. Calpe.
2008-04-02 00:00:00.000

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TIME TO TRANSLATE ANTI-POVERTY COMMITMENTS INTO ACTION, SAYS ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT

TIME TO TRANSLATE ANTI-POVERTY COMMITMENTS INTO ACTION, SAYS ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT New York, Apr 1 2008 7:00PM The world has "a critical window of opportunity" this year to accelerate progress towards the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by translating earlier broad commitments into concrete action, General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim said today.

<"http://www.un.org/ga/president/62/statements/MDGsOpening010408.shtml">Addressing the opening of the Assembly's thematic debate on the MDGs, Mr. Kerim said the world will only achieve the MDGs by the target date of 2015 if Member States show more commitment and dedication to the cause.

"At the midway point to achieve the MDGs… all of our commitments must now be urgently translated into practical plans with systematic follow-through by all parties," he said, noting that current trends indicate the pace of progress so far has been too slow. None of the eight Goals will be met in sub-Saharan Africa without a dramatic improvement, for example.

"The stakes are high. If we achieve the <"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs on time, 500 million people will be lifted out of poverty, 300 million more people will be adequately fed, and 30 million young children's lives will have been saved."

Mr. Kerim said affluent countries need to do more to translate their commitments of aid or support into more concrete action on the ground.

"Donors need to issue country-by-country timelines for how they are going to increase aid, so partner governments can plan for essential investments in services. All of our attention must be focused on creating a more coherent development agenda, based on the nexus between Financing for Development, the Millennium Development Goals and the challenge of global warming.

"This is the only strategy we can adopt to create a more sustainable, just and equitable future for all."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/sgsm11487.doc.htm">told the <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/ga10695.doc.htm">debate that too many countries are not on track to achieve the Goals, despite the laudable efforts so far in many parts of the world.

He said the UN was working to improve internal coordination and to streamline its procedures to help countries reach the targets, which world leaders pledged in 2000 to try to achieve.

Mr. Ban said he hoped that a series of gatherings this year, particularly the high-level meeting on Africa's development needs scheduled for 22 September in New York, will send a strong message to governments that they should rise to the challenge of providing greater financing for development.

Representatives of dozens of countries will speak before the Assembly debate – entitled "Recognizing the achievements, addressing the challenges and getting back on track to achieve the MDGs by 2015" – over the next few days.

In a related development, Mr. Kerim and the United States businessman Ted Turner, chair of the UN Foundation, <"http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs//2008/080401_MDG.doc.htm">announced that the Foundation and the United Methodist Church and the Lutheran world movement are working together to try to raise an additional $200 million to fight malaria in Africa.
2008-04-01 00:00:00.000

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AFRICAN ECONOMIC GROWTH STILL STRONG BUT DEVELOPMENT AND AID LAG: UN REPORT

AFRICAN ECONOMIC GROWTH STILL STRONG BUT DEVELOPMENT AND AID LAG: UN REPORT New York, Apr 1 2008 6:00PM African economies are forecast to grow by an average of 6.2% in 2008 after a strong 2007, but the struggle against extreme poverty and international support for systemic improvement lag behind, according to a United Nations report released today.

The latest edition of the Economic Report on Africa (ERA 2008), the annual joint publication of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (<"http://www.uneca.org/eca_resources/Press_Releases/2008_pressreleases/pressrelease0608.htm">ECA) and the African Union (AU), says that growth on the continent was driven mainly by robust global demand and high commodity prices.

Other growth factors in Africa include continued consolidation of macroeconomic stability and improving macroeconomic management, greater commitment to economic reforms, increased private capital flows, debt relief and increasing non-fuel exports, the report says.

It adds that Africa has also witnessed a decline in political conflicts and wars, especially in West and Central Africa, though peace remains fragile in some parts of the continent and growth performance varied sharply across countries and regions.

Key challenges to Africa's growth in 2008 include the risk of sharper slowdown in the United States economy, a fall in global commodity demand and prices and high oil prices.

In addition to political instability in some countries, inefficient public infrastructure and unreliable energy supply at the national level as well as poor integration of transportation and energy networks at the regional level continue to pose economic constraints.

This year's report, under the title Africa and the Monterrey Consensus: Tracking Performance and Progress, also assesses progress in the implementation of the 2002 Monterrey Consensus on international commitments for development in Africa.

Debt relief, one area of the consensus, has made much progress, the report found. However, very limited progress has been made in other core areas such as mobilizing domestic and international resources for development and promoting trade as a development engine.

The establishment of donor groups and an annual African Ministerial Conference to monitor progress on the consensus is a bold step forward in this area, the report concludes.

"It is hoped that these monitoring mechanisms will help to turn the promises made by development partners into deeds. The implementation of these commitments is important for Africa to achieve meaningful results in poverty reduction and lay the foundation for a brighter future for its peoples," ECA said in a press release on the report's launch.
2008-04-01 00:00:00.000

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SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION STILL IN FORCE IN KOSOVO - SECRETARY-GENERAL

SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION STILL IN FORCE IN KOSOVO – SECRETARY-GENERAL New York, Apr 1 2008 6:00PM The United Nations mission in Kosovo continues to operate on the assumption that the 1999 Security Council resolution that gave it administrative authority following ethnic bloodshed is still in force, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in his first report on the issue since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on 17 February.

In his <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2008/211">report on the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (<"http://www.unmikonline.org/">UNMIK), covering the period from 12 December 2007 to 1 March, Mr. Ban affirms that <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/res/1244(1999)">resolution 1244 remains in effect "unless the Security Council decides otherwise" and that Kosovo's leaders and the Serbian Government are still committed to its provisions.

The Secretary-General adds, however, that Kosovo's declaration of independence and subsequent events have posed significant challenges to UNMIK's ability to exercise its authority.

"Pending Security Council guidance, there might be a need for UNMIK to adjust its operational deployment to deal with developments and changes on the ground in a manner consistent with resolution 1244," he says.

He reports that the minority Kosovo Serbs, who condemned the declaration of independence, have expanded their boycott of the institutions of Kosovo to include the Kosovo Police Service (KPS), the Kosovo Corrections Service, the judicial system, municipal administration, and UNMIK railways and customs.

In several Kosovo Serb areas in southern Kosovo, Kosovo Serb police officers stated that they would no longer recognize the KPS chain of command and demanded that they be placed under the direct command of international UNMIK police officers.

The overall security situation in Kosovo during the reporting period remained "calm though tense," he states, and most Kosovo Serb demonstrations have been peaceful, though serious violent incidents occurring in the days immediately before and after the declaration of independence.

Hand grenade and arson attacks were directed against UNMIK and European Union premises and vehicles in northern Mitrovica and Zubin Potok, which caused limited material damage, he reports, and there two customs service points on the administrative boundary line were attacked and destroyed on 19 February.

The 14 March attack on the District Court building of UNMIK in North Mitrovica is not discussed because it occurred after the reporting period.

However, the Secretary-General stresses that any violence, whether directed at UNMIK personnel or facilities or against members of any of Kosovo's communities, is "unacceptable and cannot be tolerated."

He urges all sides to reaffirm their commitments to refrain from any actions or statements that could endanger peace or lead to violence.

Meanwhile, he says, the efforts of the UN in Kosovo are aimed at ensuring that the political and security situation in Kosovo and the wider region remains stable, and that the safety and security of the population are preserved.
2008-04-01 00:00:00.000

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BAN KI-MOON OUTLINES STEPS TO BOLSTER COLLABORATION WITH REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

BAN KI-MOON OUTLINES STEPS TO BOLSTER COLLABORATION WITH REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS New York, Apr 1 2008 5:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has proposed a series of measures to strengthen the partnership between the United Nations and regional organizations to address common peace and security challenges, recognizing the vital role they play in preventing and resolving crises.

"There is now the possibility of a shared role for maintaining international peace and security," Mr. Ban writes in his <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2008/186">report to the Security Council on the relationship between the world body and regional organizations.

"There is recognition of the need for greater involvement by regional organizations with the United Nations in conflict prevention, management and resolution in all regions," he adds, noting that bodies such as the African Union (AU) and its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), have for years been engaged in preventing and resolving conflicts on the continent.

Stressing the need to support the endeavours of regional bodies, Mr. Ban states that "the real challenge is to find ways to replace the improvised, at times selective, resource-skewed approach with more planned, consistent and reliable arrangements."

Such support should go beyond the immediate funding for starting up a regional mission and include ways to ensure "sustainable, flexible and predictable" funding for any peacekeeping operation undertaken by a regional organization and authorized by the Security Council.

Among his recommendations, Mr. Ban proposes setting up within the next three months an AU-UN panel to consider how to support peacekeeping operations undertaken by regional organizations, especially with regard to start-up funding, equipment and logistics.

In addition, he recommends that the Council define the role regional organizations play in the maintenance of peace and security, particularly in preventing, managing and resolving conflicts.

The UN should also improve and better coordinate the various African peacekeeping training initiatives, including through the development of regional centres for military and civilian aspects of conflict prevention and peace support.

Also, in line with his recent proposals, the Secretary-General recommends strengthening the capacity of the Department of Political Affairs, both at Headquarters and in the field, including the establishment of regional offices to work closely with regional organizations.
2008-04-01 00:00:00.000

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STARS FROM SPORT AND ARTS TEAM UP FOR PHOTOGRAPHS IN UN ANTI-POVERTY CAMPAIGN

STARS FROM SPORT AND ARTS TEAM UP FOR PHOTOGRAPHS IN UN ANTI-POVERTY CAMPAIGN New York, Apr 1 2008 5:00PM Russian tennis ace Maria Sharapova and United States basketball star LeBron James are among 50 celebrities from the fields of sport, arts, fashion and business teaming up in new advertisements organized by the United Nations Development Programme (<"http://www.undp.org/">UNDP) to promote the Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs).

The pro bono advertisements, part of a campaign entitled "Team Up Against Poverty," feature the celebrities in pairs as portrayed by top professional photographers. Ms. Sharapova, who is a Goodwill Ambassador for UNDP, and Mr. James were photographed by Patrick Demarchelier.

Under the campaign the celebrities have also agreed to take part in specific anti-poverty activities, such as funding water and sanitation initiatives, supporting educational programmes and assisting HIV/AIDS-related projects, according to a news release issued by UNDP on Friday.

The MDGs are a set of eight targets which more than 190 world leaders pledged in 2000 to try to achieve by 2015, and they include the eradication of poverty, fighting deadly diseases, promoting women's rights and expanding access to safe drinking water.
2008-04-01 00:00:00.000

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UN AID AGENCIES CONTINUE RELIEF EFFORTS IN CYCLONE-AFFECTED MADAGASCAR

UN AID AGENCIES CONTINUE RELIEF EFFORTS IN CYCLONE-AFFECTED MADAGASCAR New York, Apr 1 2008 4:00PM United Nations humanitarian agencies are continuing to distribute aid in Madagascar, where dozens of people were killed and more than 190,000 others were left homeless by a series of cyclones earlier this year.

Relief efforts are currently concentrated mainly in the east of the Indian Ocean country, which was struck by Cyclone Fame on 27 January, Ivan on 17 February and Jokwe on 5 March. The most deadly of the trio was Ivan, which was responsible for at least 93 recorded deaths.

The UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) has handed out blankets to over 1,400 families and hired a helicopter to carry out intensive vaccination programmes because of concerns over the outbreak of infectious diseases. It has also delivered some 6,000 mosquito nets to village leaders and mayors.

In addition, the agency has ensured that 150,000 Malagasy receive water and sanitation kits, which include buckets, water purifiers and metal cups, and 25 tents have also been set up to accelerate the return of children to local schools.

UN spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters that the World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/english/?n=31">WFP) has also started an air operation to distribute relief supplies.

UN agencies and other humanitarian organizations have already appealed for more than $36 million to provide relief across Madagascar, which is prone to cyclones, particularly at this time of the year. Local authorities have said that Cyclone Ivan was the worst storm of its kind to hit the country since the 1980s.
2008-04-01 00:00:00.000

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REBELS CROSSING CHADIAN-SUDANESE BORDER OF 'DEEP CONCERN' TO SECRETARY-GENERAL

REBELS CROSSING CHADIAN-SUDANESE BORDER OF 'DEEP CONCERN' TO SECRETARY-GENERAL New York, Apr 1 2008 4:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged Chad and Sudan to make every effort to ensure that rebel groups do not use their territory as a staging ground for incursions across their mutual border.

"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by reports of continued movement of rebel groups across the Chadian-Sudanese border and by the possibility that these groups may launch cross-border attacks," Mr. Ban's spokesperson said in a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/sgsm11489.doc.htm">statement.

He called on the Governments of Chad and Sudan to uphold their commitments under the 13 March Dakar Accord, which was facilitated by Mr. Ban, Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and others on the margins of the summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and calls for reconciliation and the normalizing of bilateral relations.

Tensions have been high in the region in recent months with about 10,000 people from West Darfur seeking refuge in eastern Chad following a series of deadly air and land attacks by the Sudanese Government and its allied militias, and Chadian rebels suspected of crossing the border to attack the forces of their Government.

In today's message, the Secretary-General called on the Contact Group, established under the Dakar Accord, to work with the parties in facilitating the pact's implementation.

He reaffirmed that the UN stood ready do everything within its capacity to help stabilize the border region.
2008-04-01 00:00:00.000

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ECUADOR STARTS ACTION AT UN WORLD COURT AGAINST AERIAL SPRAYING BY COLOMBIA

ECUADOR STARTS ACTION AT UN WORLD COURT AGAINST AERIAL SPRAYING BY COLOMBIA New York, Apr 1 2008 4:00PM Ecuador is taking Colombia to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, in a dispute between the two South American countries over the alleged aerial spraying of toxic herbicides around their common border.

In an <"http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/138/14470.pdf">application filed with the <"http://www.icj-cij.org/presscom/index.php?p1=6&p2=1">ICJ yesterday in The Hague, where the court is based, Ecuador said that spraying by Colombia "has already caused serious damage to people, to crops, to animals, and to the natural environment on the Ecuadorian side of the frontier, and poses a grave risk of further damage over time."

Ecuador said it had turned to the ICJ, also known as the World Court, for adjudication because "repeated and sustained efforts to negotiate an end to the fumigations" had proven unsuccessful.

The application asks the court to declare that Colombia has violated its obligations under international law and that it must take all necessary steps to prevent the use of toxic herbicides in a way that could deposit them on Ecuadorian territory. It also asks that Colombia indemnify Ecuador for any loss or damage caused.

Ecuador said the Pact of Bogotá, reached in April 1948, and the 1988 UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances should apply to the case. Colombia is yet to formally respond to Ecuador's application.

Meanwhile, the ICJ has <"http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/137/14472.pdf">set deadlines for the filing of initial pleadings in the maritime boundary dispute between Peru and Chile. Peru has until 20 March next year to file and Chile has until 9 March 2010 to file its counter-claim.

In January Peru filed an application with the ICJ over the delimitation of the boundary between the Pacific Ocean maritime zones of the two countries.
2008-04-01 00:00:00.000

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RISING FOOD AND FUEL PRICES FOCUS OF UN OFFICIAL'S VISIT TO ETHIOPIA, KENYA

RISING FOOD AND FUEL PRICES FOCUS OF UN OFFICIAL'S VISIT TO ETHIOPIA, KENYA New York, Apr 1 2008 3:00PM The head of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today began a three-day visit to Ethiopia and Kenya to highlight the impact of soaring food and fuel costs, which are affecting millions of people around the world.

Following her arrival in Addis Ababa, <"http://www.wfp.org/english/?ModuleID=137&Key=2808">WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran addressed the joint African Union and Economic Commission for Africa conference on the rise in food prices, which she has attributed to a "perfect storm" of increasing demand for food from emerging economies, competition between biofuels and food production, high fuel prices and increasing droughts and floods.

Earlier this month, WFP made an emergency appeal to donor countries for $500 million to offset the increased price of food commodities.

Ms. Sheeran was also scheduled to visit a wheat distribution centre and meet with grain traders and local residents.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that food security in Ethiopia continues to be a concern, despite rainfall in some areas, adding that Ethiopians are resorting to borrowing food and slaughtering calves.

Tomorrow, Ms. Sheeran heads to Kenya to visit WFP's current operations there, including those in response to the violence that erupted in the East African nation following disputed presidential polls last December.
2008-04-01 00:00:00.000

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COUNTING OF VOTES IN ZIMBABWEAN POLLS MUST BE TRANSPARENT, SAYS BAN KI-MOON

COUNTING OF VOTES IN ZIMBABWEAN POLLS MUST BE TRANSPARENT, SAYS BAN KI-MOON New York, Apr 1 2008 1:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed the need for "the utmost transparency" during the counting and tabulation of votes from last weekend's presidential and parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe.

In a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3071">statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban said he had been closely following the situation in the Southern African nation, where the results are still emerging after voters went to the polls on Saturday.

"As the counting and tabulation of votes continues, he calls for continued calm and he urges the utmost transparency be exercised so that the people of Zimbabwe can have full confidence in the process," the statement said.

In the presidential poll, the incumbent Robert Mugabe is facing Morgan Tsvangirai and Simba Makoni. If a winning candidate does not receive more than 50 per cent of the total vote, then a run-off race is required.
2008-04-01 00:00:00.000

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SECRETARY-GENERAL HEADS TO BUCHAREST FOR INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON AFGHANISTAN

SECRETARY-GENERAL HEADS TO BUCHAREST FOR INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON AFGHANISTAN New York, Apr 1 2008 2:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be travelling to the Romanian capital, Bucharest, where, on Thursday, he will be joining other world leaders at an international meeting focusing on peace and development efforts in strife-torn Afghanistan.

Also attending Thursday's meeting will be Afghan President Hamid Karzai, newly-appointed UN envoy Kai Eide and key international stakeholders, including high-level representatives of the member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Non-NATO contributing nations of the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), as well as representatives of key international organizations, such as the European Union and the World Bank, will also be participating in the meeting, which is part of the three-day NATO Summit that will begin in Bucharest tomorrow.

Upon his arrival in the Romanian capital tomorrow, Mr. Ban will conduct bilateral meetings with some of the leaders attending the Summit. He will also meet with the President and Prime Minister of Romania while he is in the country.

The Security Council recently renewed the mandate of the UN political mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) – which is headed by Mr. Eide – and widened its scope to include leading international civilian efforts to provide political outreach, support reconciliation programmes and strengthen cooperation with ISAF.
2008-04-01 00:00:00.000

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UPCOMING UN FORUMS TO FOCUS ON USING TECHNOLOGY TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE

UPCOMING UN FORUMS TO FOCUS ON USING TECHNOLOGY TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE New York, Apr 1 2008 1:00PM High-level experts from industry, government and academia are set to convene at United Nations meetings in Japan and the United Kingdom to examine how information and communication technology (ICT) can be used to combat the global challenge of climate change.

Organized by the UN International Telecommunication Union (<"http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2008/08.html">ITU), the International Symposia on ICTs and Climate Change will take place in Kyoto from 15 to 16 April and in London from 17 to 18 June.

"Climate change is a concern for all of humanity and requires efforts on the part of all sectors of society, including the ICT sector," said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré. "ITU is committed to achieving climate neutrality and to working with our membership to promote the use of ICTs as an effective tool to combat climate change."

ICTs are estimated to contribute some 2 to 2.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and that is likely to grow as technology becomes more widely available.

However, they can also be an important tool in efforts to combat climate change, especially through the development of more energy efficient devices, applications and networks, and their environmentally sound disposal. "ICT can therefore be a key enabler to a low carbon economy while also promoting growth," according to the ITU.

"We have already seen in ITU a phenomenal level of effort put into finding ways to reduce power consumption in ICT networks and devices, as well as looking at ways that ICTs can help other industries contribute to this global challenge," stated Malcolm Johnson, Director of ITU's standardization arm.

Recent ITU activities related to climate change include a workshop examining how ICTs in vehicles can help mitigate and monitor climate change and a series of tutorials on reducing energy consumption in the technology sector.
2008-04-01 00:00:00.000

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IRAQ: TOP UN ENVOY WELCOMES BASRA CALM; DISPLACEMENT CONTINUES

IRAQ: TOP UN ENVOY WELCOMES BASRA CALM; DISPLACEMENT CONTINUES New York, Apr 1 2008 12:00PM The top United Nations envoy in Iraq today welcomed Shiite leader Muqtada al Sadr's call for a "stand-down of armed presences" in Basra and other areas where fighting has flared in the past week.

At the same time, the UN refugee agency released figures showing the level of internally displaced persons (<"http://www.unhcr.org/protect/3b84c7e23.html">IDPs) in the violence-wracked country had reached nearly 3 million, but was rising more slowly than in previous years.

Staffan de Mistura, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative for Iraq, "hopes the return of calm will allow the Iraqi Government, the United Nations and other bodies to accelerate the delivery of emergency aid into the affected areas," according to a press release from the UN mission there – known as UNAMI.

Mr. de Mistura added that the Government's quick response to Mr. al Sadr's stand-down call was a positive step and welcomed the Iraqi Government's creation of an emergency cell to deal with the humanitarian situation following the recent violence.

"Coordination with the international community is essential in order to support Iraqi-led efforts to reduce suffering among the civilian population," he said.

The UN's Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, David Shearer, arrived in Basra yesterday to work with the Iraqi authorities and the emergency cell to assess the situation and develop an appropriate response.

Expressing concern over human rights violations committed during the armed clashes, Mr. de Mistura <"http://www.uniraq.org/newsroom/getarticle.asp?ArticleID=637">emphasized to all those involved their obligations to minimize harm to civilians, urging all parties to promote the rule of law in the country, UNAMI said.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) <"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/47f20efd6.html">said that of the estimated 2.8 million IDPs in Iraq, 1.2 million were displaced before 2006 and more than 1.5 million were displaced in 2006 and 2007.

"Less than one per cent have been displaced in 2008," spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis said, introducing the new report of UNHCR's working group on displacement. The large increase between the current count and that released on 31 December 2007 – a difference of 300,000 people – was due to an improved database.

Displacement is continuing at a much lower pace because communities had become more homogenous, media campaigns had begun, security incidents had decreased and many families simply could no longer afford to move, among other factors, she said.

New secondary displacement has been reported in Baghdad, however, involving Iraqis who decided to return from neighbouring countries at the end of last year – often after having run out of resources – and could not reclaim their properties.

The report estimates that the number of IDPs in need of adequate shelter and food is now higher than 1 million, with an equal number having no regular income, and some 300,000 with no access to clean water and other basic services.

"In January UNHCR appealed for $261 million for Iraqi refugees and internally displaced. So far, we have received just over a third of that amount," Ms. Pagonis noted, adding that assisting many of the IDPs is still extremely difficult because of insecurity.
2008-04-01 00:00:00.000

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UN-ASSISTED REFUGEE RETURNS TO BURUNDI HITS 300,000 MARK

UN-ASSISTED REFUGEE RETURNS TO BURUNDI HITS 300,000 MARK New York, Apr 1 2008 11:00AM The number of Burundians that have returned to their homeland from neighbouring Tanzania with the help of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reached the 300,000 mark last month, the agency reported today.

In addition, tens of thousands of Burundian refugees have also returned home on their own – mainly from villages in the north-western Tanzania – bringing the total number of returnees to 389,000.

In the early 1990s, nearly half a million Burundians fled violence in their country and found shelter in Tanzania. UNHCR's repatriation operation for Burundian refugees in Tanzania began in 2002.

"The 300,000 mark is a significant milestone in our efforts to find lasting solutions for long-term refugee situations on the African continent," UNHCR spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis <"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/47f20efb4.html">told reporters in Geneva.

The agency gives cash grants to assist the returnees once they are back in Burundi, and together with the World Food Programme (<"http://www.wfp.org/english/">WFP) provides six months worth of food rations.

UNHCR reports that the refugee population in the camps in north-western Tanzania in March fell below the 200,000 mark for the first time in 15 years. As more and more Burundians leave Tanzania, UNHCR is working with the Tanzanian authorities to consolidate the remaining refugee camps. There are currently 102,000 Burundian and 96,000 Congolese refugees remain in five camps in north-western Tanzania.

In addition, UNHCR, in partnership with the Tanzanians, is working to resolve the situation of 218,000 Burundians refugees who fled their country in 1972 and live in three self-sufficient settlements, and for 2,000 Somali Bantus living in Chogo Settlement in Tanga Region.
2008-04-01 00:00:00.000

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AFRICAN ECONOMIC GROWTH STILL STRONG BUT DEVELOPMENT AND AID LAG: UN REPORT

AFRICAN ECONOMIC GROWTH STILL STRONG BUT DEVELOPMENT AND AID LAG: UN REPORT New York, Apr 1 2008 6:00PM African economies are forecast to grow by an average of 6.2% in 2008 after a strong 2007, but the struggle against extreme poverty and international support for systemic improvement lag behind, according to a United Nations report released today.

The latest edition of the Economic Report on Africa (ERA 2008), the annual joint publication of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (<"http://www.uneca.org/eca_resources/Press_Releases/2008_pressreleases/pressrelease0608.htm">ECA) and the African Union (AU), says that growth on the continent was driven mainly by robust global demand and high commodity prices.

Other growth factors in Africa include continued consolidation of macroeconomic stability and improving macroeconomic management, greater commitment to economic reforms, increased private capital flows, debt relief and increasing non-fuel exports, the report says.

It adds that Africa has also witnessed a decline in political conflicts and wars, especially in West and Central Africa, though peace remains fragile in some parts of the continent and growth performance varied sharply across countries and regions.

Key challenges to Africa's growth in 2008 include the risk of sharper slowdown in the United States economy, a fall in global commodity demand and prices and high oil prices.

In addition to political instability in some countries, inefficient public infrastructure and unreliable energy supply at the national level as well as poor integration of transportation and energy networks at the regional level continue to pose economic constraints.

This year's report, under the title Africa and the Monterrey Consensus: Tracking Performance and Progress, also assesses progress in the implementation of the 2002 Monterrey Consensus on international commitments for development in Africa.

Debt relief, one area of the consensus, has made much progress, the report found. However, very limited progress has been made in other core areas such as mobilizing domestic and international resources for development and promoting trade as a development engine.

The establishment of donor groups and an annual African Ministerial Conference to monitor progress on the consensus is a bold step forward in this area, the report concludes.

"It is hoped that these monitoring mechanisms will help to turn the promises made by development partners into deeds. The implementation of these commitments is important for Africa to achieve meaningful results in poverty reduction and lay the foundation for a brighter future for its peoples," ECA said in a press release on the report's launch.
2008-04-01 00:00:00.000

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NEW GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION SEEKS TO CURB ROAD TRAFFIC INJURIES

NEW GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION SEEKS TO CURB ROAD TRAFFIC INJURIES New York, Mar 31 2008 7:00PM A new <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=a/62/l.43">resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly today urges stepped up efforts to boost road global road safety.

According to a report of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon which was prepared by the UN World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/mediacentre/en/">WHO) and its partners, almost 1.2 million people are killed and millions more injured or disabled due to road crashes every year, with road traffic injuries being the leading cause of death worldwide for those between the ages of 10 and 24.

Today's resolution, which was passed without a vote, called on Member States to support endeavours by low- and middle-income nations in setting their national road traffic casualty reduction targets.

It stressed the "importance of addressing global safety issues and the need for further strengthening international cooperation, taking into account the needs of developing countries by building capacities in the field of road safety, and providing financial and technical support for their efforts."

Additionally, the resolution appealed to Member States to continue observing the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, which falls on the third Sunday of November annually.

The text also welcomed Russia's offer to host the first high-level conference on road safety next year which seeks to bring together government ministers and others dealing transport, health, education, safety and other traffic law enforcement issues.
2008-03-31 00:00:00.000

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VIOLENCE HAS NO PLACE IN NEPALI ELECTION PROCESS - UN ENVOY

VIOLENCE HAS NO PLACE IN NEPALI ELECTION PROCESS – UN ENVOY New York, Mar 31 2008 6:00PM The top United Nations envoy in Nepal today started a regional tour of the South Asian nation, which is on the verge of historic elections, to check on preparations and stress the responsibility of all parties to shun violence and abide by all agreements for the poll.

"I am glad that efforts are continuing even in the midst of the election campaign to bring about a dialogue between the Government and armed groups," Ian Martin, the Special Representative of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Nepal, told journalists in Biratnagar, in the east of the country, where a mosque was bombed on Saturday.

"But I want to make clear that any group which in this election continues to pursue its grievances by violence will lose any sympathy from the international community," said Mr. Martin, who is devoting five days to a regional tour ahead of the 10 April elections.

He also emphasized that all political parties must respect the electoral code of conduct, which calls for free campaigning throughout the country, and that all armies must abide by provisions for non-interference of troops in the poll, spelled out in the Comprehensive Peace Accord that ended most fighting between the Government and Maoist rebels in 2006.

Mr. Martin also reiterated his strong condemnation of the bomb attack at the Sarauchiya Mosque, and his condolences to the families of those killed and injured.

A UN report released yesterday said that campaigning for the Constituent Assembly election continues in relative calm across much of Nepal, but a significant number of districts have experienced a surge in clashes between different political party supporters.

Once elected, the Constituent Assembly will be tasked with drafting a new constitution for the country, which lost an estimated 13,000 lives in its decade-long civil war.

While in Biratnagar, Mr. Martin held discussions with local administrative and security authorities, district electoral officials and UN colleagues, concerning preparations and conditions for the poll.

He will continue his tour tomorrow, first travelling to the mid-western region of the country tomorrow, and then continuing on to the far-west.
2008-03-31 00:00:00.000

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TIMOR-LESTE: UN AND PARTNERS APPEAL FOR $33.5 MILLION FOR RECOVERY EFFORTS

TIMOR-LESTE: UN AND PARTNERS APPEAL FOR $33.5 MILLION FOR RECOVERY EFFORTS New York, Mar 31 2008 5:00PM The United Nations and non-governmental organizations working in Timor-Leste are seeking $33.5 million to help the country's most vulnerable, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and those most at risk from natural disasters.

Finn Reske-Nielsen, the UN's Humanitarian Coordinator for Timor-Leste, said that funds raised will complement those already committed by the Government toward projects outlined in the Transitional Strategy and Appeal.

"The Government of Timor-Leste has committed $15 million in 2008 to address IDP issues," said Mr. Reske-Nielsen. "These financial resources constitute a significant and increased commitment of the Government towards these issues. However, further donor support to the Government's efforts will be valuable to help meet its shortfall."

The funds will support some 67 projects in three strategic areas: continued emergency assistance in IDP camps, supporting the Government's National Recovery Strategy and strengthening the country's ability to manage risk and impact from natural disasters.

While humanitarian assistance in the IDP camps continues to be critical, the primary focus of the Government and its partners this year is early recovery initiatives that will facilitate the return and/or resettlement of those that have been displaced.

Mr. Reske-Nielsen said that ongoing humanitarian problems that stem from the crisis that erupted in 2006 are complex and multi-dimensional with social, economic and political roots.

The 2006 crisis, attributed in part to differences between Timor-Leste's eastern and western regions, began in April with the firing of 600 striking soldiers, a third of the overall armed forces.

Ensuing violence claimed at least 37 lives and drive 155,000 people, or about 15 per cent of the total population, from their homes. The Security Council created the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) in August that year to help restore stability.

"There is no simple or short-term solution, and the experience of national and international organisations along with the Government shows that continued support to ongoing humanitarian response and recovery efforts is vital to reaching a sustainable resolution to the crisis," Mr. Reske-Nielsen stated.
2008-03-31 00:00:00.000

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STEPPED-UP ACTION NEEDED TO SPUR SOMALI ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PEACE: UN

STEPPED-UP ACTION NEEDED TO SPUR SOMALI ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PEACE: UN New York, Mar 31 2008 4:00PM A meeting hosted by the United Nations and the World Bank wrapped up over the weekend, with participants underscoring the need for stepped-up local and international involvement to spur economic growth and bring a durable peace to Somalia.

Participants at the high-level gathering on "Financial and Economic Issues in Somalia" – which took place from 28-29 March in Nairobi, Kenya – discussed the resilience of the Horn of Africa nation's economy, the potential for growth and finance and debt issues, among others.

The Secretary-General's Special Representative Ahmedou Ould-Abdullah characterized the gathering as "an important and constructive step towards helping Somalia return to peace and stability."

Attendees included Somali Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Burundian President Pierre Buyoya and Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wegangula, as well as representatives from the World Bank, African Development Bank and other groups.

The meeting ended with the agreement that a further meeting should be held on the economy of Somalia – which has not had a functioning government in nearly two decades – as well as a development and reconstruction conference.

Meanwhile, insecurity is growing in many parts of south-central Somalia, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), with clashes between Ethiopian/Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces and anti-government elements escalating over the past week.

In the capital, Mogadishu, OCHA reported that the worst fighting took place during the weekend at a market where an unconfirmed number of people were killed and over 40 others treated for injuries.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) noted that at least 4,000 people have been forced to flee the violence in Mogadishu in the past 10 days, bring the total of those having left the capital to 70,000 since the start of the year.

OCHA voiced concern over the looting of World Food Programme (WFP) trucks in Mogadishu, apparently at the prompting of a Commissioner who publicly stated that people should take food by force from passing UN trucks. Almost all of the food has been recovered, but OCHA said that it is troubled that senior government officials are encouraging and fuelling such incidents.
2008-03-31 00:00:00.000

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UN POLITICAL CHIEF HOLDS TALKS WITH CYPRIOT LEADERS

UN POLITICAL CHIEF HOLDS TALKS WITH CYPRIOT LEADERS New York, Mar 31 2008 3:00PM B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, met today in Nicosia with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders as part of his current mission to assess how the United Nations can help the two communities on the Mediterranean island resolve their long-running dispute.

Mr. Pascoe met separately with the Greek Cypriot leader, Demetris Christofias, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat. He also held talks with representatives of civil society as well as with leaders of Greek Cypriot political parties.

The UN's top political official is scheduled later today to confer with the advisers of Mr. Christofias and Mr. Talat, both of whom are preparing for full-fledged negotiations later this year.

Tomorrow, he will hold talks with leaders of Turkish Cypriot political parties and representatives of Nicosia's international community, before returning to New York on Wednesday.

Earlier this month, the leaders of the two communities met and agreed to begin talks to resolve the dispute, and this agreement was welcomed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who pledged the world body's "full support to the Cypriot people in their efforts to reach a settlement."

That meeting, hosted by the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Michael Møller, also resulted in the leaders' decisions to set up a number of working groups and technical committees in advance of talks, as well as to open a crossing at Ledra Street in Nicosia as soon as technically possible.

The UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (<"http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unficyp/index.html">UNFICYP), established in March 1964 following the outbreak of inter-community violence on the island, has been working to prevent a recurrence of fighting, contribute to a return to normal conditions and maintain law and order.
2008-03-31 00:00:00.000

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LASTING MIDEAST PEACE 'HINGES' ON RESOLVING ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT - BAN KI-MOON

LASTING MIDEAST PEACE 'HINGES' ON RESOLVING ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT – BAN KI-MOON New York, Mar 31 2008 3:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stressed that peace and progress in the Middle East "hinges on a just and lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict," pledging the support of the United Nations to help achieve this goal.

Mr. Ban added that the Peace Initiative put forward by the League of Arab States "remains a key element in our efforts to achieve peace," in a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/sgsm11484.doc.htm">message delivered by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe to the group's summit, held in Damascus over the weekend.

"Your engagement is particularly crucial for the fragile political process currently underway between President [Mahmoud] Abbas and Prime Minister [Ehud] Olmert," Mr. Ban emphasized, adding that while the two leaders have expressed their desire to reach an agreement by the end of this year, "the path to peace remains littered with daunting challenges."

The Secretary-General called for a more positive strategy for Gaza and encouraged all Arab countries to act responsibly and exercise whatever influence they have to support a cessation of violence in and around Gaza.

Turning to the political crisis in Lebanon, where the Presidency has been vacant for more than four months, Mr. Ban said that this situation is no longer sustainable.

"All Lebanese leaders should put the interests of their country and people first and bring the country away from the brink," he stressed, calling on everyone to rally behind and work for the implementation of the Arab League initiative on the issue.

The Secretary-General also cited "significant progress" in the establishment of the Special Tribunal to try those responsible for the death of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri in February 2005, noting that the court's work will be an important step toward ending impunity and contribute to a just and lasting peace in the country.

"The challenges ahead are substantial, but they are not insurmountable," Mr. Ban stated, as he called for building a strong and strategic partnership between the UN and the Arab League, "one that delivers on the security, development and human rights aspirations of the Arab people."
2008-03-31 00:00:00.000

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BAN KI-MOON ENVISIONS 'AFRICAN CENTURY' - IF DEVELOPMENT GOALS ARE MET

BAN KI-MOON ENVISIONS 'AFRICAN CENTURY' – IF DEVELOPMENT GOALS ARE MET New York, Mar 31 2008 2:00PM Marking the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for accelerated efforts to reach international development goals to usher in a century of flourishing on the continent.

"You have chosen the fitting theme of Meeting Africa's New Challenges in the 21st Century," he told the first joint meeting of African Union (AU) and <"http://www.uneca.org/">ECA ministers of finance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in a video <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3069">address.

"Together, by stepping up efforts to reach the <"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">Millennium Development Goals throughout the continent, we can and must make the 21st century the African century," he said," referring to the internationally-agreed goals to sharply cut poverty and other global ills by the year 2015.

ECA, with its mandate of promoting Africa's social and economic development, occupies a unique place on the continent as the first intergovernmental pan-African agency and the home of Africa Hall, birthplace of the Organization of African Unity, Mr. Ban noted.

In its 50 years of existence, it has generated ideas, helped establish other institutions, and "has addressed challenges ranging from the Millennium Development Goals to climate change, from women's empowerment to job creation, from governance to HIV/AIDS," the Secretary-General said.
2008-03-31 00:00:00.000

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LEBANON BEGINS VACCINATIONS UNDER UN STRATEGY TO END MEASLES, RUBELLA

LEBANON BEGINS VACCINATIONS UNDER UN STRATEGY TO END MEASLES, RUBELLA New York, Mar 31 2008 2:00PM Lebanon started a national measles and rubella vaccination campaign today targeting more than 900,000 schoolchildren, as part of its commitments under a United Nations strategy to eliminate the diseases by the end of 2010.

Under the strategy developed by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/en/">WHO), the campaign was initiated by the country's Ministry of Public Health because of the persistent yearly recurrence of measles in the country, <"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_43409.html">UNICEF said in a press release.

The Ministry of Education, as well as various civil society organizations, will help to carry out the campaign, with the first phase running from today until 12 April targeting children in educational institutions and nurseries.

"A healthy mind means a sound body, and the Lebanese child is our first concern; without him we cannot build a sound and healthy society," said Minister of Education Khalid Qabbani, at a press conference for the launch held last Thursday.

The second phase, from 29 April to 3 May, will focus on children missed during the first round between the ages of nine months and 14 years.

Vaccinations will be carried out by 350 teams in over 3,000 private and public schools, with each team comprising at least one medical doctor or one registered nurse.

In the run-up to the campaign, UNICEF undertook a comprehensive media awareness programme among the population highlighting the importance of vaccinations, the agency said.
2008-03-31 00:00:00.000

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WORLD WAITING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTION, SAYS BAN KI-MOON

WORLD WAITING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTION, SAYS BAN KI-MOON New York, Mar 31 2008 2:00PM The world is waiting with baited breath for a durable and economically feasible solution to the pressing issue of climate change, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told participants at the latest round of United Nations-sponsored talks which began today in Bangkok.

People are hoping for a solution which is "based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities" and "strikes the delicate balance between globally inclusive action and the need to eradicate poverty," Mr. Ban said in a video <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3068">message to the opening of the five-day meeting.

He told the roughly 1,200 participants that he understands the "huge responsibility" they have in negotiating a successor pact to the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.

"But the state of our planet requires you to be ambitious – in what you aim for, and equally, in how hard you work to reach agreement."

The Secretary-General urged attendees to build on the momentum generated by the breakthrough in Bali, Indonesia, in last December's landmark UN Climate Change Conference, where 187 countries agreed on the so-called "Bali Roadmap" – including bolstered action on mitigation, adaptation, technology and finance – to tackle global warming.

The Bangkok meeting is expected to lay out a work plan for the negotiations which will conclude in 2009 at a major summit in Copenhagen, Denmark. Mr. Ban has emphasized in the past that a successor pact must be ready for ratification three years before the Kyoto Protocol expires to allow countries to make it law in time.

It is also anticipated that this gathering – attended by delegates from 163 nations – will further efforts regarding emission reduction targets for developed countries.

Also speaking at the opening of the talks, the top UN climate change official pointed out that three months have already elapsed since the close of the Bali conference.

"This leaves us with around one and a half years – a very short time-frame within which to complete negotiations on one of the most complex international agreements that history has ever seen," <"http://unfccc.int/files/press/news_room/statements/application/txt/080331_statement_bkk.pdf">said Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (<"http://unfccc.int/meetings/intersessional/awg-lca_1_and_awg-kp_5/items/4288.php">UNFCCC).

"But I am confident that it can be done if the work is broken down into manageable, bite-sized chunks."

The head of the UN's regional arm for Asia and the Pacific urged developed nations to assist poorer countries with their technological and financial needs to address climate change.

"The challenge for the region's developing countries is whether they can switch to a less polluting pattern while maintaining the growth and development they require," Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (<"http://www.unescap.org/">ESCAP), <"http://www.unescap.org/unis/press/2008/mar/g17.asp">said at the Bangkok meeting.

"We need a global solidarity based upon genuine North-South and South-South partnerships of governments, as developing countries cannot do this alone."

She underscored that global warming is no longer a distant threat for many countries in the region. "It is a reality and a sign of what lies ahead. For many of our Pacific island States, it is a looming question of their survival or extinction."
2008-03-31 00:00:00.000

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DR CONGO: SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS ARMS EMBARGO AND MONITORING GROUP

DR CONGO: SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS ARMS EMBARGO AND MONITORING GROUP New York, Mar 31 2008 1:00PM The United Nations Security Council today extended until the end of the year its arms embargo and other sanctions meant to keep weapons out of the hands of militias in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (<"http://www.monuc.org">DRC), which it said continue to threaten stability in the eastern part of the vast country.

Council members voted unanimously this morning to maintain, with some modifications, the sanctions – consisting of the arms embargo, a travel ban and an assets freeze on those who violate the embargo – until at least 31 December.

The Group of Experts that monitors the embargo and develops recommendations for its improvement was also extended until the same date.

In the resolution extending the sanctions regime, the 15-member Council expressed its continued concern about the situation in the provinces of North and South Kivu and in the Ituri district, close to the border with Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

It noted, however, an improved exchange of information between the Council committee monitoring the sanctions, other parts of the UN and Governments of the region, and in that light modified the rules for importation of military supplies for the national army and police of the DRC.

At the same time, it continued to stress the urgent need for progress in security sector reform in the country, which has suffered from decades of war and misrule but in 2006 held its first free elections in more than 45 years.

The embargo was first imposed in 2003 amid concerns that the growth and trafficking of arms was serving to fuel and exacerbate conflicts across the Great Lakes region. The Council also noted the link between the illegal exploitation and trade of natural resources in the DRC and the proliferation of arms.

The embargo does not apply to arms and related materiel intended for the use of units of the national army or police as long as those units meet certain criteria.
2008-03-31 00:00:00.000

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SOME 10,000 AFGHANS RETURNED HOME FROM PAKISTAN IN MARCH, REPORTS UN AGENCY

SOME 10,000 AFGHANS RETURNED HOME FROM PAKISTAN IN MARCH, REPORTS UN AGENCY New York, Mar 31 2008 11:00AM Since the start of a new repatriation season almost one month ago, some 10,000 Afghans have returned to their homeland from neighbouring Pakistan, the United Nation refugee agency reported today.

Salvatore Lombardo, Country Representative for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/country/afg.html">UNHCR) in Afghanistan, told journalists in Kabul that the majority of the returns are to the eastern part of the country, with some 50 to 60 per cent of the latest group going to Nangarhar, Kunar and Laghman provinces.

"The first indications tell us that we are at around the same level of returns that we saw in 2006 and to a certain extent in 2005," he stated.

Repatriation from Pakistan was the key focus of discussions held a few days ago in Dubai between UNHCR and the Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Among the issues raised was the deteriorating security situation in some parts of Afghanistan, the country's capacity to absorb new returnees and reintegration challenges, including lack of shelter and water in some areas. A similar meeting was held in early March with UNHCR and the Governments of Afghanistan and Iran.

He noted that insecurity and unemployment are the main concerns Afghans have regarding the decision to return to their homeland. "In discussions with the Afghan population both in Pakistan and Iran, and also when they come back, the question of jobs is really at the top of their list," Mr. Lombardo said.

Together with the Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, UNHCR has had the largest shelter programme in the country for the past several years, contributing to the construction of over 100,000 houses in rural areas. "We will continue to do that with an additional 8,000 houses that will certainly benefit a large number of the returnee population," stated Mr. Lombardo. The agency also provides a cash grant of $100 per person to the returnees.

In Dubai, the parties also discussed the holding of an international conference this fall on return and reintegration, which will be hosted by UNHCR and the Afghan Foreign Ministry.

There are some two million registered Afghans in Pakistan and approximately one million in Iran. UNHCR expects between 150,000 to 200,000 Afghans to return from Pakistan this year – similar to 2005 and 2006. Meanwhile, the number of returns from Iran has been relatively low in the past couple of years, and Mr. Lombardo said he expects it to remain that way this year.
2008-03-31 00:00:00.000

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CLIMATE CHANGE THREATENS DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS OF WORLD'S POOR - UN OFFICIAL

CLIMATE CHANGE THREATENS DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS OF WORLD'S POOR – UN OFFICIAL New York, Mar 31 2008 11:00AM Climate change is among a host of new challenges that is making it increasingly difficult for the world's poorest people to escape from poverty and hunger, the head of the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (<" http://www.ifad.org">IFAD) said today.

Most of the world's poor live in rural areas of developing countries and depend on agriculture to survive. In addition, millions of small-scale farmers and members of the rural poor live in areas that face serious risk from degradation and desertification due to climate change.

"Put simply, the price of development just went up," said IFAD President Lennart Båge. "Substantial and additional money will be needed to help poor countries adapt to climate change."

The implications of climate change, as well as the rise in global food prices and biofuels top the agenda of talks in Paris today between Mr. Båge and senior French officials, representatives of civil society and researchers. They will be discussing how to help the rural poor in a world where nearly one billion people live in extreme poverty and hunger.

"We can expect future climate change to put almost 50 million extra people at risk of hunger by 2020," Mr. Båge stated. "Those least responsible for the problem will be hit first, and hardest."

He noted that Africa is likely to bear the brunt of this, with at least 75 million people there facing increasing water shortages and lack of good quality water.

Closely linked with climate change are rising food prices and the expansion of biofuels. The increased demand for biofuels has sparked concerns that the poor rural people living in marginal areas may lose their lands to those seeking additional land for fuel production.

Many of the world's poorest people are already feeling the pinch from soaring food prices, which have already sparked riots in numerous countries, including Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Mozambique. "Security may very well prove to be a serious issue in the not-too-distant future," said Mr. Båge.

France and IFAD have a long history of collaboration in developing countries, especially in Africa. To date, France has provided more than $255 million for IFAD-supported poverty reduction programmes and projects. It has also contributed nearly $42 million to IFAD's Special Programme for sub-Saharan Africa.
2008-03-31 00:00:00.000

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UN SYSTEM VOWS TO ENSURE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

UN SYSTEM VOWS TO ENSURE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES New York, Mar 30 2008 12:00PM More than 20 United Nations departments, agencies, programmes, and funds have pledged their support to implementing a landmark treaty on the human rights of persons with disabilities, which opened for signature a year ago today.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was adopted by the General Assembly in December 2006 along with its Optional Protocol, is only three ratifications short of the 20 needed to enter into force and become an internationally legally binding document.

In a statement issued today, the Inter-Agency Support Group for the Convention vowed to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity as laid out in the Convention.

"The statement demonstrates our collective commitment to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities through their full inclusion in the work of the United Nations system," said UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Sha Zukang.

Through the newly-formed group, the UN system will support measures both in countries that are party to the Convention and within the Organization itself to implement the treaty's provisions and ensure the rights of the world's 650 million persons with disabilities.

Support will focus on six main areas: policies to support the purpose and objectives of the Convention; programmes including international cooperation; capacity-building of Member States, civil society, and the UN system; research and access to knowledge on disabilities; accessibility; and the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

2008-03-30 00:00:00.000

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VIOLENT CLASHES CONTINUE IN PARTS OF NEPAL AHEAD OF UPCOMING POLLS -- UN REPORT

VIOLENT CLASHES CONTINUE IN PARTS OF NEPAL AHEAD OF UPCOMING POLLS -- UN REPORT New York, Mar 30 2008 12:00PM Campaigning for Nepal's upcoming Constituent Assembly election continues in relative calm across much of the South Asian nation, but a significant number of districts have experienced a surge in clashes between different political party supporters, according to a report released today by the United Nations.

Prepared by the UN Mission in Nepal (<http://www.unmin.org.np/>UNMIN), in conjunction with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (<http://nepal.ohchr.org/en/index.html>OHCHR) in Nepal, the <http://www.unmin.org.np/downloads/publications/2008-03-30-UNMIN.Election.Report.2.ENG.pdf>report is the second in a series being published on conditions for the polls, scheduled for 10 April.

"The aim of UNMIN's regular public report is to encourage the political parties and all Nepalis to create a free and fair atmosphere for the Constituent Assembly election, now less than two weeks away," said Ian Martin, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Nepal.

The report highlights the results of UNMIN and OHCHR-Nepal monitoring over the past week, related to violence by groups opposed to the election, violations of the electoral code of conduct and of human rights, and the monitoring of arms and armies.

"The main threats to peaceful campaigning were continuing acts of violence by armed groups in the Terai, and obstruction, intimidation and violence carried out by supporters of political parties against candidates and supporters of competing parties, as well as intimidation of voters," states the report.

Among the gravest incidents during the past week were the killings of two cadres of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) in Kapilvastu and Solukhumbu, which bring the total number of violent deaths of Maoists since 5 February to at least seven.

In addition, a bomb attack yesterday at a mosque in Biratnagar left two dead. Strongly condemning the attack, Mr. Martin said that "forces tempted to try to disrupt the election should recognize the backlash this would provoke, and should respect the overwhelming desire of the people of Nepal, supported by the international community, to see the election of the Constituent Assembly as the democratic basis for determining the future of the nation."

Also of deep concern are widespread reports, confirmed by UNMIN and OHCHR monitoring and investigation, of continued Maoist intimidation of rival parties and voters, with clashes between the CPN-M and the Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML), Nepali Congress and Rastrya Prajatantra parties becoming frequent.

The report also states that UNMIN "has intensified its monitoring of arms and armies during this crucial period, but there have been cases of Maoist combatants leaving their cantonments to engage in political campaigning, and in some instances in uniform and with perimeter security weapons to provide security for senior party leaders."

In a meeting with election commissioners last week, Mr. Martin had made it clear to the leadership of the CPN-M that it was a breach of the Agreement on the Monitoring of the Management of Arms and Armies for personnel and/or weapons from Maoist army cantonments to be present at meetings outside the cantonments -- including for the purpose of providing leadership security.

Among its recommendations, the report urges strict adherence to the Agreement so as to prevent interference by either army in the electoral process.

It addition, "the campaigning political parties should act immediately to end the cycle of violence and retaliation, and should respect fully the election Code of Conduct and human rights standards," the report states.

Once elected, the Constituent Assembly will be tasked with drafting a new constitution for the country, which has emerged from a decade-long civil war that claimed an estimated 13,000 lives until the Government and the Maoists signed a peace accord in 2006.

2008-03-30 00:00:00.000

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