Economic and Social Council

2003 Organizational Session

6^th Meeting (AM)

MEMBERS OF ECOSOC NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE APPOINTED; WILL MEET 26 MARCH

TO CONSIDER AGREEMENT BETWEEN UN, WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION

Biographical Note

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

Rastam Mohd.Isa, the new Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the
United Nations, presented his credentials to Secretary-General Kofi Annan today.

Biographical Note

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF BRAZIL PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

(Based on information received from the Protocol and Liaison Service.)

Ronaldo Mota Sardenberg, the new Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, presented his credentials today to Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Biographical Note

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF TUNISIA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

(Based on information received from the Protocol and Liaison Service.)

Ali Hachani, the new Permanent Representative of Tunisia to the United Nations, presented his credentials today to the Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

DISPLACEMENT IN CENTRAL LIBERIA COULD OVERBURDEN HUMANITARIAN RESOURCES

EVERY DAY THROUGHOUT WORLD UN STAFF FACE THREATS, ASSAULTS, ABUSE

SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL ON INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY DAY

Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members, observed 25 March:

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS MASSACRE OF 24 KASHMIRI HINDUS

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

The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest possible terms as a cowardly act of terrorism yesterday’s massacre of 24 Kashmiri Hindus, including women and children, that took place near the town of Shopian in Kashmir.  He sends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

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SUSTAINABLE FUTURE BEGINS WITH SAFEGUARDING HEALTH OF EVERY CHILD,

SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL ON WORLD HEALTH DAY

Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on World Health Day, which is observed 7 April:

Healthy children are crucial to sustainable development.  That is why this year's World Health Day carries the theme “Shape the Future of Life:  Healthy Environment for Children”.

Note to Correspondents

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH DETAINED STAFF MEMBERS

TO BE OBSERVED ON 25 MARCH

To draw attention on the staff members who have been arrested, detained, abducted or "disappeared" while in the service of the United Nations, the eighteenth annual International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members will be observed on Tuesday, 25 March.

Note to Correspondents

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL MEETS 24 MARCH ON MEANS TO ATTACK RURAL POVERTY

The 2003 focus of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on rural development as a key in the fight against poverty kicks off today at an open session attended by international experts.