Press Release

World’s 50 poorest countries main battleground where

global anti-poverty Goals will be won or lost

NEW YORK, 28 June -- The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) takes up the cause of the 50 countries with the world’s most vulnerable economies at a high-level session opening today, and addressed by President Mathieu Kerekou of Benin.

Economic and Social Council

2004 Substantive Session

16^th & 17^th Meetings (AM & PM)

FOR WORLD’S POOREST, UN ACTION CAN MEAN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH,

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL TOLD, AS HEADQUARTERS SESSION OPENS

High-Level Segment Aims at Mobilizing Resources for Implementing

2001 Brussels Programme of Action for 50 Least Developed Countries

un action can mean difference between life and death in world’s

poorest countries, says Deputy Secretary-General to ecosoc

Following is Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette’s address to the 2004 High-Level Segment of the Economic and Social Council in New York, 28 June:

Secretary-General’s Advisory Boardon Disarmament Matters to meet

in Geneva, 30 June - 2 July 2004, in forty-third session

CAPACITY-BUILDING WORKSHOP ON UN PROGRAMME OF ACTION

ON ILLICIT TRADE IN SMALL ARMS HELD IN TUNIS

un office reports disruption of humanitarian aid in democratic republic of congo

United Nations’ World Drug Report 2004 Presents

In-Depth Look into Global Drug Trends

(Reissued as received.)

‘Drugs:  Treatment Works’ Campaign Launched by United Nations Drugs Office

Year-Long Campaign to Be Launched

On 26 June Emphasizes Importance of Drug Treatment

(Reissued as received.)

strategy is needed to bring about green revolution in africa, Secretary-General

says at launch of interacademy council report on african agriculture

TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN

AT UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, 25 June 2004

The Secretary-General:  Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming this morning.  I know it is a bit early for some of us, but I am leaving this weekend for a long overseas trip, and I thought I should talk to you and answer your questions before I go.