Press Release

UNEP BACKS MONGOLIA’S EFFORTS TO SAFEGUARD VAST, UNIQUE ENVIRONMENTS

(Delayed in transmission.)

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia, 22 August (UNEP) -- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Mongolian Ministry of Nature and Environment today signed a framework agreement to support sustainable development and environmental protection in the fabled North-East Asian country.

DEVELOPED COUNTRIES DOMINATE WORLD FDI STOCK

(Reissued as received.)

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS TERRORIST BOMB ATTACKS IN INDIA

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

The Secretary-General utterly condemns the terrorist bomb attacks today in Mumbai, India, killing more than 40 innocent civilians and injuring many more.  He is adamantly opposed to all acts of terrorism, from whatever quarter.

SECRETARY-GENERAL MOURNS LOSS OF ‘DEAR FRIEND’ SERGIO VIEIRA DE MELLO

AT MEMORIAL SERVICE IN RIO DE JANEIRO

Following is the text of remarks by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the memorial service of Sergio Vieira de Mello in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 23 August:

I thank you all for being here today, as we mourn the loss of a dear friend of mine, a beloved son of Brazil, and a great servant of the United Nations.

LATIN AMERICA’S PROGRESS ON POVERTY STAGNATES, ACCORDING TO NEW UN REPORT

(Reissued as received.)

UN 2001 YEARBOOK PUBLISHED, PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT

OF ORGANIZATION’S EFFORTS TO ADDRESS GLOBAL PROBLEMS

Note to Correspondents

UNITED NATIONS STAFF ORGANIZE SILENT MARCHES

IN MEMORY OF COLLEAGUES KILLED IN BAGHDAD

     All United Nations duty stations around the world are organizing silent marches to be held on the same day, 26 August, in memory of their colleagues and friends who were killed and injured in the attack on the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad on 19 August.

UNITED NATIONS, AFGHANISTAN LAUNCH DRUGS INTERDICTION UNIT

(Reissued as received.)

Secretary-General Kofi Annan, while on holiday in Europe, spent time in Helsinki to meet with the President of Finland, Tarja Halonen.

Committee on the Elimination

of Racial Discrimination

Afternoon Round-Up

COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION CONCLUDES SIXTY-THIRD SESSION

Issues Observations on Reports of 11 Countries

(Reissued as received.)