SECRETARY-GENERAL ORDERS DOWNSIZING OF UN STAFF IN IRAQ

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

The Secretary-General, on the advice of his Security Coordinator, has ordered a temporary redeployment of United Nations international staff in Iraq.

SECRETARY-GENERAL HAILS NEW SUDAN FRAMEWORK SECURITY AGREEMENTS

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

DEATH OF IRAQ GOVERNING COUNCIL MEMBER SADDENS SECRETARY-GENERAL

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

PROGRESS STILL ACHIEVABLE AFTER DISAPPOINTMENT OF CANCUN,

SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS GROUP OF 77 MINISTERIAL TALKS

Following is the address by Secretary-General Kofi Annan today to the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77:

SECRETARY-GENERAL HAILS MALAYSIA’S CONSTRUCTIVE, COMMITTED ROLE

AS HE RECEIVES GIFT TO UN FROM PRIME MINISTER

Secretary-General Kofi Annan made the following remarks upon receiving Malaysia’s gift to the United Nations today, 25 September:

I am delighted and honoured to accept, on behalf of the United Nations, this beautiful gift from the Government and the people of Malaysia.

EXPERT MEETING IN GENEVA TO DISCUSS POST-CONFLICT

JUSTICE, RECONCILIATION, 26 SEPTEMBER

(Reissued as received.)

Fifty-eighth General Assembly

Plenary

11^th & 12^th Meetings (AM & PM)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY DEBATE FOCUSES ON CENTRAL ROLE

OF UNITED NATIONS IN GLOBAL PROBLEM-SOLVING

Need for Reform of Security Council, International Financial Bodies

Highlighted by 27 Speakers, Including 16 Heads of State, Government

DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL, WITH ‘POIGNANCY AND PRIDE’, ACCEPTS POLAND’S

GIFT TO UN –- SCULPTURE OF PIANIST ARTUR RUBINSTEIN

Following are the remarks of Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette upon receiving Poland’s gift to the United Nationsin New York, on 25 September:

DESPITE LIBERIA’S PEACE AGREEMENT, RIGHTS VIOLATIONS PERSIST

IN TROUBLED ‘POCKETS OF INSECURITY’, SAYS UN COORDINATOR

MONROVIA, 25 September (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) -- The Special Humanitarian Coordinator for Liberia, Ross Mountain, today expressed his concern for civilians who, despite the signing of a peace agreement, continue to be subjected to serious human rights violations in north-central Liberia.

MILLENNIUM ECOSYSTEM ASSESSMENT RELEASES FIRST REPORT,

EXAMINES LINKS BETWEEN ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT

(Reissued as received.)

WASHINGTON, D.C., 24 September (UNEP) -- The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), the most extensive study ever of the linkages between the world's ecosystems and human well-being, today released its first report, Ecosystems and Human Well-being.