AT CONCLUSION OF 57^TH SESSION, GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT SAYS UN NEEDS MAJOR

REFORM TO PLAY MORE DECISIVE ROLE IN WORLD AFFAIRS

Following is the statement, as delivered by Assembly President Jan Kavan (Czech Republic) to today’s concluding meeting of the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly:

Fifty-seventh General Assembly

Plenary

94^th Meeting (PM)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY CLOSES 57^TH SESSION; UNANIMOUSLY

CONDEMNS ATTACK ON UN OFFICE IN BAGHDAD

Outgoing Assembly President Calls

For ‘Far More Decisive’ Role for UN in Guiding World’s Affairs

NEW INTER-AGENCY GENDER AND WATER TASK FORCE ESTABLISHED

NEW YORK, 15 September (UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs) –- A new inter-agency Task Force on Gender and Water held its inaugural session last Wednesday with the participation of some 15 representatives of United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations that are actively working in the areas of water and sanitation.

UN FOOD PROGRAMME RELIEF SHIP BOUND FOR SOUTHERN LIBERIA

(Delayed in transmission.)

MONROVIA, 12 September (OCHA) -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) relief-ship, Martin I Majuro, steamed out of Monrovia harbour this afternoon (1300 GMT) bound for the small coastal town of Harper, some 236 nautical miles south of the Liberian capital, Monrovia.

TOURISM TO EARTH’S MOST THREATENED AREAS SURGES

BY MORE THAN 100 PER CENT IN LAST DECADE

Most Comprehensive Report on Tourism and Biodiversity

Highlights Threats and Opportunities of World's Largest Global Industry

(Reissued as received.)

CAMBODIA, NEPAL ARE FIRST LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

TO JOIN WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION

(Reissued as received.)

CHALLENGE FOR ALL IS TO MANAGE INTERDEPENDENCE IN WAYS THAT ‘BRING PEOPLE IN,

RATHER THAN SHUTTING THEM OUT’, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

Following is the message by Secretary-General Kofi Annan for the first annual Interdependence Day, Philadelphia, delivered today by Edward Mortimer, Director of Communications:

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES ELECTION OF VICTIMS TRUST FUND BOARD

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

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES SECURITY COUNCIL’S LIFTING OF SANCTIONS ON LIBYA

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the adoption today by the Security Council of a resolution lifting sanctions against Libya.

SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES ISRAEL TO RECONSIDER EXPULSION DECISION

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

The Secretary-General strongly urges the Israeli Government to reconsider the Security Cabinet’s decision in principle to expel President Yasser Arafat.  The forcible transfer of President Arafat is dangerous and counter-productive in a situation of tension and instability in the region.