Entry into force of Kyoto Protocol, following Russia’s ratification, historic

step forward to combat global warming, Secretary-General says in Nairobi

Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s statement on the Kyoto Protocol, issued today in Nairobi, Kenya:

Biographical Note

RossMountain appointed Deputy Special Representative of Secretary-General

 

for Democratic Republic of Congo

 

Security Council

5080^th Meeting (AM)

Speakers at Nairobi Security Council meeting call

 

for peace agreement in Sudan by end of year

(Received from a UN Information Officer.)

NAIROBI, 18 November -- As the Security Council convened in Nairobi, Kenya today, speakers made strong calls to the parties involved in the protracted Sudan conflict to reach a peace agreement by the end of the year.

Fifty-ninth General Assembly

Third Committee

46^th & 47^th Meetings (AM & PM)

Third Committee Approves 16 Draft Resolutions On Human Rights, Racism,

Refugee Issues, Including Text on Human Rights in Turkmenistan

 

Decides to Take No Action on Belarus Draft

Communique by council of presidents of General Assembly

 

Following is the text of a communiqué issued today by the Council of Presidents of the General Assembly:

The Council of Presidents of the General Assembly of the United Nations held its annual meeting at UN Headquarters from 16 to 18 November 2004.

Fifty-ninth General Assembly

Plenary

57^th Meeting (AM & PM)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY SUSPENDS ELECTION OF JUDGES FOR YUGOSLAV TRIBUNAL,

 

FOLLOWING FOUR INCONCLUSIVE ROUNDS OF VOTING

After four inconclusive rounds of voting today, the General Assembly decided to continue the process to elect judges for the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 19 November.

Launch of the International Year

of Microcredit 2005

microfinance can help poor people move beyond day-to-day survival, says

 

Secretary-General at launch of international year of microcredit

Speakers Underline Huge Potential

For Microfinance Growth, Note Remaining Challenges

UN LAUNCHES INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MICROCREDIT 2005

 

UNITED NATIONS DRUGS OFFICE REPORTS MAJOR INCREASE

 

IN OPIUM CULTIVATION IN AFGHANISTAN

 

(Reissued as received.)

VIENNA, 18 November (UN Information Service) -- This year, opium cultivation in Afghanistan has increased by 64 per cent compared to 2003, according to the Afghanistan Opium Survey 2004, released today by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

complete elimination of landmines remains a priority for international community,

Secretary-General tells conference of high contracting parties