Fifty-eighth General Assembly

Fifth Committee

24^th Meeting (AM)

FIFTH COMMITTEE CONTINUES DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED CHANGES

TO PLANNING, BUDGETING PROCESS

Ad Hoc Committee for Voluntary

Contributions to UNRWA

AM Meeting

NINETEEN DONOR COUNTRIES PLEDGE $72 MILLION FOR ACTIVITIES OF UNRWA IN 2004

Nineteen donor countries pledged $72 million for the 2004 budget of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) at this morning’s meeting of the General Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee for Voluntary Contributions.

Fifty-eighth General Assembly

Plenary

68^th Meeting (AM)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS TEXTS ON PALESTINE, MIDDLE EAST, INTERNATIONAL YEAR

OF FAMILY, GLOBAL THREATS, CULTURAL PROPERTY

Also Appoints Seven Members to Committee on Conferences

MANY SKI RESORTS HEADING DOWNHILL AS RESULT OF GLOBAL WARMING

Fifth World Conference on Sport and Environment in Turin, 2-3 December

TURIN/NAIROBI, 2 December (UNEP) -- Many low-altitude ski resorts face economic hardship, and even ruin, as a result of global warming, a new study launched today by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) concludes.

ONLY COLLECTIVE ENGAGEMENT CAN TACKLE AFRICA’S URGENT URBAN CHALLENGE

SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL TO CAMEROON ‘AFRICITIES’ CONFERENCE

Following is Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message to the “Africities Summit”, delivered by Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme(UN-HABITAT), in Yaoundé, Cameroon, 2 December:

SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON SOMALIA DISCUSSES FINDINGS OF NOVEMBER MISSION

NEW YORK, 2 December (Department of Political Affairs) -- On 26 November 2003, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia, discussed its mission to the region and exchanged views on concrete recommendations reflecting the findings of the mission.

DISABLED PERSONS CAN MAKE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS

Study Addresses Extension, Training Needs of Farmers with Physical Disabilities

ROME, 2 December (FAO) -- The contribution of individuals with disabilities to agricultural projects can have a significant impact on food security, says a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) study released ahead of the annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons.

SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES FACE GROWING VULNERABILITY, FAO WARNS

UN Conference in Mauritius in 2004 Will Reflect on Long-term Vision

      ROME, 2 December (FAO) -- "The situation of small island developing States (SIDS)* continues to be one of exposure and growing vulnerability due to new challenges and emerging economic, social and ecological issues",says a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report.

Note to Correspondents

UNITED NATIONS TO OBSERVE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DISABLED PERSONS

AT HEADQUARTERS 3 DECEMBER

Note to Correspondents

FINLAND, UN TO SIGN FORESTRY PACT ON 4 DECEMBER

On Thursday, 4 December, at 9:30 a.m., the Government of Finland will sign an agreement with the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) for a project in support of sustainable forest management.