Press Release

Fifty-eighth General Assembly                              

In lecture series secretary-general introduces speakers

on topic:  ‘who is afraid of human rights’

Following is the text of remarks, as delivered by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, introducing Ambassador Al-Hajjaji, Professor Mazrui and Dr. Schulz in the Secretary-General’s lecture series on the topic:  “Who Is Afraid of Human Rights?”:

INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY’S WORK SHOWS THAT MULTILATERAL APPROACHES

CAN BE EFFECTIVE, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS IN MESSAGE TO KINGSTON MEETING

Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the commemorative meeting marking the tenth anniversary of the International Seabed Authority, which was delivered today in Kingston, Jamaica, by Ralph Zacklin, Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs:

LIVELIHOODS OF OVER ONE BILLION PEOPLE AT RISK FROM DESERTIFICATION,

SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS IN MESSAGE ON INTERNATIONAL DAY

Following is the message by Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, 17 June 2004:

SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN REMARKS TO AFRICA DAY CEREMONY, CALLS

FOR INTENSIFIED EFFORTS TO SOLVE AFRICA’S PROBLEMS

Following are the remarks delivered by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at a Headquarters ceremony for Africa Day:

AFRICAN UNION’S PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL POWERFUL TOOL FOR CONFLICT

PREVENTION, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS AT INAUGURATION CEREMONY

Following is Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message to the official ceremony marking the inauguration of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, in Addis Ababa today:

Secretary-General praises elie wiesel on 75^th birthday as good

friend, staunch defender of victims of hatred, bigotry

Following are the remarks delivered yesterday by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at Anti-Defamation League’s Gala Celebration of Elie Wiesel’s 75^th birthday:

It is a pleasure to be here tonight.

Secretary-General saddened by reports of severe flooding in caribbean,

resulting in heavy loss of life, extensive damage

Following is the text of a statement attributable to the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY OPENS TENTH KINGSTON SESSION,

ASSEMBLY AND COUNCIL ELECT PRESIDENTS, ADOPT AGENDAS

(Delayed in transmission.)

KINGSTON, 24 May -- The International Seabed Authority formally began its tenth session in Kingston today, 24 May, with its policy-making Assembly and Executive Council adopting their agendas and electing their Presidents for the session scheduled to conclude on 4 June.

Background Release                                         

INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY, CELEBRATING 10TH ANNIVERSARY, TO ELECT COUNCIL

MEMBERS, SECRETARY-GENERAL AT ANNUAL KINGSTON SESSION, 24 MAY – 4 JUNE