Background Release

GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO HOLD HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON INFORMATION

AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR DEVELOPMENT, 17-18 JUNE

To address the digital gap that still excludes two thirds of humankind from the benefits of the digital revolution, the General Assembly will hold a high-level meeting devoted to information and communication technologies (ICT) for development on 17 and 18 June, in the Trusteeship Council Chamber.

Committee on Elimination of

Discrimination against Women`

564^th Meeting (PM)

COMMITTEE URGES SURINAME TO IMPLEMENT ANNOUNCED MEASURES FOR ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN

Concluding Examination of Suriname’s Report,

Experts Stress Need for Action on Violence Against Women, Domestic Violence

Committee on Elimination of

Discrimination against Women

563^rd Meeting (AM)

SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS ACKNOWLEDGES ABSENCE OF OFFICIAL POLICY

ON WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL LIFE

Committee Concludes Consideration

Of Country's Report on Implementation of Anti-Discrimination Convention

NEW STRATEGIES TO COUNTER TERRORISM DURING MAJOR EVENTS TO BE DISCUSSED

BY INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS AT MEETING IN TURIN (ITALY)

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONGRATULATES HAMID KARZAI ON HIS ELECTION

AS HEAD OF AFGHAN TRANSITIONAL AUTHORITY

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

FIGHTING AIDS COMBINES GOOD BUSINESS WITH DOING GOOD, SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS

GLOBAL BUSINESS COALITION ON HIV/AIDS

Following is the text of remarks by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the programme for the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS Awards for Business Excellence 2002 in New York on 12 June:

Security Council

4552^nd Meeting (AM & PM)

THIRTY-SIX SPEAKERS ADDRESS SECURITY COUNCIL IN DAY-LONG MIDDLE EAST DEBATE,

STRESSING NEED FOR URGENT ACTION TO RESOLVE ONGOING CRISIS

Importance of Compliance with Council Resolutions,

Security Council

4551^st Meeting* (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS CYPRUS FORCE UNTIL 15 DECEMBER,

UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1416 (2002)

The Security Council this morning extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for a further six months, until 15 December 2002.

FIFTY-SIX COUNTRIES SIGN INTERNATIONAL TREATY CRUCIAL TO FOOD SECURITY

ROME, 13 June (Food and Agriculture Organization) -- The World Food Summit: five years later is ending with positive results for food security and sustainable development, as 43 new signatories to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, bring the total number of signatories to 56, including 35 developing countries and 20 developed countries, and the European Community.

UNITED NATIONS EXPERT EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER THREATS TO GUATEMALAN RIGHTS

DEFENDERS, CALLS FOR GOVERNMENT ACTION

GENEVA, 12 June (UN Information Service) -- Hina Jilani, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders, issued the following statement on 12 June: