‘I WANT TO SEE STRONG AND FOCUSED RESPONSES TO PEOPLE’S REAL NEEDS

IN EVERY AREA, INCLUDING HEALTH’, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

Following is the text of the message from Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the occasion of the release of the report of the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health in London today, 20 December:

UN WELCOMES GROWING PARTNERSHIP WITH WEST AFRICAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY,

SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL IN MESSAGE TO DAKAR MEETING

SECRETARY-GENERAL OUTLINES VISION FOR BUILDING SECURE FUTURE IN REPORT

FOR WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The global economic growth that propelled many economies during the 1990’s did not promote sustainable development, or the kind of development that encompasses economic growth, social development, and environmental protection, according to a new report issued by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today.

PRESS STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL ON REPATRIATION OF KUWAITI,

THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONALS AND RETURN OF KUWAITI PROPERTIES

Following is the text of today’s press statement by the President of the Security Council, Moctar Ouane (Mali) on the Secretary-General’s report on the repatriation of Kuwaitis and third-country nationals and the return of Kuwaiti properties:

Security Council

4443^rd Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FORCE FOR AFGHANISTAN;

WELCOMES UNITED KINGDOM’S OFFER TO BE INITIAL LEAD NATION

Resolution 1386 (2001) Adopted Unanimously

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Fifth Committee

39^th Meeting (PM)

BUDGET COMMITTEE APPROVES SEVEN DRAFT RESOLUTIONS ON TRIBUNALS, DUES PAYMENTS,

UN COMMON SYSTEM, INTERNAL OVERSIGHT, POLITICAL MISSIONS

General Assembly Plenary

Tenth Emergency Special Session

15^th Meeting (PM)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY EMERGENCY SESSION ON OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

CALLS FOR HALT TO VIOLENCE, ‘MITCHELL REPORT’ IMPLEMENTATION

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Plenary

89^th Meeting (AM)

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST MAINTAIN COMMITMENT TO AFGHANISTAN,

SAY SPEAKERS IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Pakistan Warns of Dangers Inherent

Economic and Social Council

Resumed 2001 Substantive Session

46^th Meeting (PM)

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL FILLS VACANCIES IN SUBSIDIARY BODIES,

ADOPTS RESOLUTIONS ON CRIME, ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

The Economic and Social Council filled a number of vacancies in its subsidiary bodies and adopted several texts this afternoon, as it concluded its work for 2001.

TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN

AT HEADQUARTERS, 19 DECEMBER

The Secretary-General: As usual, we meet before the holidays to thank you for all your interest and support during the year 2001 and to wish you all the very best for 2002.

This has been an extraordinary year -- an extraordinary year for the United Nations, for New York, for the United States and for much of the world.