Press Release

AT EUROPEAN FORUM, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS ‘CORPORATIONS CAN BE AGENTS

OF CHANGE’ BY OFFERING SUPPORT TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Following is Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message, translated from French, to the Third European Forum on Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility, delivered in Paris on 29 March, by Zéphirin Diabré, Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP):

Security Council                                           

Security Council                                           

SIXTH MEETING OF UN ICT TASK FORCE EXAMINES ONGOING ACTIVITIES,

FOLLOW-UP TO WSIS, ADOPTS 2004 BUSINESS PLAN

NEW YORK, 30 March (UN DPI) -- The sixth meeting of the United Nations Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Task Force concluded on Saturday, 27 March, with a review of the Global Forum on Internet Governance and the adoption of the Task Force’s Business Plan for 2004.

SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS ON RIGHTS TO HEALTH, EDUCATION PRESENT FINDINGS TO COMMISSION

Call for Greater Attention to Sexual

And Reproductive Health, End to Fees for Primary Education

(Reissued as received.)

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS CONTINUES DEBATE

ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS

Hears Reports on Involuntary Disappearances,

Optional Protocol, Right to Housing, Illicit Movement of Toxic Products

(Reissued as received.)

Special Committee on                                       

THROW AWAY SOCIETY NEW THREAT TO ISLAND PARADISES

(Reissued as received.)

JEJU/NAIROBI, 30 March (UNEP) -- Urgent international assistance is needed to help small island States deal with a rising tide of rubbish and wastes.

DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR INCREASED SUPPORT BY EUROPEAN UNION

FOR MILLENNIUM GOALS, UN PEACEKEEPING

Following is the text of the address by Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, 29 March:

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION WORSENS IN DARFUR, SUDAN

New York, 30 March (OCHA) -– Civilians in Darfur, Sudan, who continue to be attacked by armed groups, also now face shortages of water and outbreaks of communicable diseases such as measles.