Press Release

SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY MESSAGE,

UNDERLINES NEED TO MAXIMIZE BENEFITS OF MIGRATION

Following is the text of Secretary-GeneralKofi Annan’s message on International Migrants Day, 18 December 2003:

SECRETARY-GENERAL AFFIRMS UN SUPPORT FOR AFRICA ENVIRONMENT ACTION PLAN

IN MESSAGE TO ALGIERS CONFERENCE

Following is Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message to the partners’ conference on the implementation of the Action Plan for the Environment Initiative of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), delivered by Klaus Töpfer, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, in Algiers, 15 to 16 December:

SECRETARY-GENERAL POINTS OUT AREAS FOR MUTUAL ASSISTANCE

IN MESSAGE TO CHINA-AFRICA COOPERATION FORUM

Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message to the Second Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation delivered in Addis Ababa today, 15 December 2003, by Zéphirin Diabré, Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator, United Nations Development Programme:

ACHIEVING MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS REQUIRES EVERYONE TO JOIN FORCES,

SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS IN MESSAGE TO POVERTY SOCCER GAME

Following is the message by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the poverty soccer game in Basel today, delivered by Mark Malloch Brown, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP):

SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS CAPTURE OF SADDAM AN IMPORTANT EVENT

Following is a statement issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General considers that the capture of Saddam Hussein, the epitome of the former regime, is an important event.  It offers an opportunity to give fresh impetus to the search for peace and stability in Iraq, on the basis of an inclusive and fully transparent process.

PRESS STATEMENT ON IRAQ BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is the statement to the press on Iraq delivered today by Security Council President Stefan Tafrov (Bulgaria):

Council members welcomed the capture of Saddam Hussein on 13 December.

Council members welcomed the declaration of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on this occasion.

Security Council

4882^nd Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL STRONGLY CONDEMNS VIOLENCE AGAINST CIVILIANS,

OTHER PROTECTED PERSONS IN CONFLICT SITUATIONS

Presidential Statement Reaffirms Need to Ensure Safety,

Security, Free Movement for United Nations, Associated Personnel

Security Council

4881^st Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL HEARS CALL FOR SIX-MONTH SUCCESSOR MISSION

TO UN POLITICAL OFFICE IN BOUGAINVILLE

UN Presence Would Monitor Constitutional Process,

COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN ASIA -- UNESCAP LAUNCHES RESOURCE GUIDE

BANGKOK, 15 December (United Nations Information Service) -- A resource guide to combating human trafficking in Asia will be launched by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) on Friday, 19 December 2003, at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.

UNESCAP TO ISSUE ECONOMIC FORECAST FOR 2004

(Reissued as received.)

BANGKOK, 15 December (United Nations Information Services) -- At the end of a turbulent year, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) will release its latest assessment of the region's economy.