DEV/2353*

URGENT ACTION TO PROTECT MARINE ENVIRONMENT TO BE REVIEWED

NEXT YEAR AT HIGH-LEVEL MEETING INITIATED BY UNEP

NEW YORK, 19 November (UNEP) -- The negative effects of land-based activities on seas and coasts are growing both in scale and type, and are increasingly damaging the environment, scientists are warning.

SECRETARY-GENERAL ASKS UNDP ADMINISTRATOR MARK MALLOCH BROWN

TO LEAD EARLY RECOVERY EFFORT IN AFGHANISTAN

The following statement was issued by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Friday, 16 November:

The Secretary-General has asked the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mark Malloch Brown, immediately to take on the responsibility of leading the early recovery effort in Afghanistan.

IMPLEMENTATION OF BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION MUST BE GIVEN

HIGHER PRIORITY, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL

Following is the text of the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Fifth Review Conference of the States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention, delivered by Jayantha Dhanapala, Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs in Geneva, today:

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES SPEECH BY US SECRETARY OF STATE AS ‘IMPORTANT

ELABORATION OF PRESIDENT BUSH’S CONSTRUCTIVE REMARKS’ ON MIDDLE EAST

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

GREEK, TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADERS TO MEET 4 DECEMBER; SECRETARY-GENERAL HOPES

MEETING WILL MOVE PROCESS FORWARD

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

The Secretary-General is pleased that the Greek Cypriot leader,

SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS TURNING POINT REACHED IN FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS,

IN MESSAGE ON WORLD AIDS DAY

Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on World AIDS Day, observed 1 December:

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES ORDERLY, PEACEFUL CONDUCT OF KOSOVO ELECTIONS

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

PRESS STATEMENT ON KOSOVO, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA,

BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

Following is today’s press statement on Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, by Mignonette Patricia Durrant (Jamaica), President of the Security Council:

PRESS STATEMENT ON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is today’s press statement on illegal exploitation of the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the President of the Security Council, Mignonette Patricia Durrant (Jamaica):