Press Release

FOOD SAFETY, ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH PORTAL LAUNCHED

AT UN ASIA-PACIFIC CONFERENCE

Simplifies Search for Food Safety Regulations

(Reissued as received.)

SEREMBAN, Malaysia, 25 May (FAO) –- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today launched the International Portal for Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health at a Regional Conference on Food Safety for Asia and the Pacific.

Latest Israeli Operation Leaves 575 Palestinians Homeless

(Reissued as received.)

GAZA, 25 May (UNRWA) -- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has completed its initial assessment of the numbers of homes demolished or damaged beyond repair during the latest Israeli military operation in Rafah.

Committee on NGOs                                          

Fifty-eighth General Assembly                              

celebrating africa day, speakers applaud steps taken to promote peace,

security, reiterate support for continent’s development

Step by step, Africa was constructing an architecture of institutions to promote peace and security on the continent, Secretary-General Kofi Annan declared this morning during a ceremony marking the forty-first anniversary of Africa Day.

objective of bangkok workshop is improved disability statistics for policies

(Reissued as received.)

Ad Hoc Committee on Convention                             

 on Persons with Disabilities                              

1^st Meeting (AM)

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RESUMPTION OF DPRK-JAPAN DIALOGUE

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES COMMITTEE DRAFTING DISABILITIES CONVENTION

TO MAINTAIN MOMENTUM, UNDERSTANDING AS IT ENTERS CRITICAL PHASE

STRIFE IN IRAQ, MIDDLE EAST MUST NOT HAMPER ARAB LEAGUE’S PROGRESS,

SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS TUNISSUMMIT

Following is Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message to the Summit Meeting of the League of Arab States, delivered in Tunis on 22 May by Mohamed Sahnoun, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Africa: