NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS PANEL WILL DISCUSS ISSUE OF INCREASING INCIDENCE OF HOSTAGE-TAKING,

Press Release

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS PANEL WILL DISCUSS ISSUE OF INCREASING INCIDENCE OF HOSTAGE-TAKING,

ABDUCTION OF UNITED NATIONS PERSONNEL

The abduction and hostage-taking of United Nations personnel continues to be a major security risk. Since 1992, some 178 United Nations civilian staff have been taken hostage while serving in United Nations operations worldwide.

A panel discussion on the issue, to be held on 9 December, will feature former hostage negotiator Giandomenico Picco; Mehri Madarshahi, President of the United Nations Staff Council, and Julio Grieco, Office of the United Nations Security Coordinator. United Nations correspondent Ian Williams will be the moderator.

The event, organized by the United Nations Staff Council’s Standing Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service will begin at 1:30 p.m. in Conference Room 8.

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