For release on delivery

ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC CONFERENCE HAS CENTRAL ROLE IN DEVISING EFFECTIVE STRATEGY

TO COMBAT TERRORISM, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

Following is the text of a message by Secretary-General Kofi Annan (to be delivered by Ibrahim Gambari, Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa) to the Organization of Islamic Conference Extraordinary Foreign Minister Conference in Doha on 10 October:

WOMEN’S ROLE IN COUNTERING NATURAL DISASTERS

International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction, 10 October

Every year, on the second Wednesday of October, the international community celebrates the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction through global events to draw attention to measures which can be taken to reduce the negative impacts of natural disasters on vulnerable communities before disaster strikes.

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Fourth Committee

4^th Meeting (AM)

WESTERN SAHARA SETTLEMENT, POLITICAL EQUALITY FOR REMAINING TERRITORIES

AMONG ISSUES ADDRESSED, AS FOURTH COMMITTEE’S DEBATE CONTINUES

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Third Committee

5^th Meeting (PM)

AS THIRD COMMITTEE PURSUES DEBATE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS,

SPEAKERS CALL FOR ‘REAL INTERACTION’ WITH DISABLED

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Third Committee

4^th Meeting (AM)

IMPORTANCE OF PEACE, SECURITY, EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTED

AS THIRD COMMITTEE FOCUSES ON CONCERNS OF YOUTH

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Sixth Committee

5^th Meeting (PM)

MOVES TO FORTIFY REGIME FOR PROTECTION OF UN PERSONNEL

SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH CAUTION, LEGAL COMMITTEE TOLD

Complex Issues Said to be Involved; Consideration

By International Law Commission Mentioned as Possible Course

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Sixth Committee

4^th Meeting (AM)

LEGAL COMMITTEE SPEAKERS URGE STRONGER PROTECTION FOR PERSONNEL

WORKING IN UNITED NATIONS FIELD OPERATIONS

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

First Committee

4^th Meeting (PM)

NEW CONCEPT OF SECURITY NEEDED FOLLOWING 11 SEPTEMBER TERRORIST ATTACK

CHINA TELLS FIRST COMMITTEE, AS GENERAL DEBATE CONTINUES

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Fifth Committee

5^th Meeting (AM)

CONCLUDING GENERAL DEBATE ON JIU REPORTS, FIFTH COMMITTEE

PRESS STATEMENT ON AFGHANISTAN BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

Following is the text of today’s press statement on Afghanistan by the President of the Security Council, Richard Ryan (Ireland):