ALARMED AT ESCALATING MID-EAST VIOLENCE, SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS

ON ISRAELIS, PALESTINIANS TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT

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

PRESS STATEMENT ON SIERRA LEONE BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is the text of today’s press statement on Sierra Leone by the President of the Security Council, Alfonso Valdivieso (Colombia):

Security Council members heard a briefing by Assistant Secretary-General Annabi on the latest developments in Sierra Leone.

OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AT HEADQUARTERS TODAY

APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ‘A WATERSHED’,

SAYS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER ROBINSON

The following is the text of today’s statement by the High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson to mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People:

IN STATEMENT TO PREPARATORY COMMITTEE OF RACISM CONFERENCE,

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER MARY ROBINSON REVIEWS PROGRESS

Following is the statement by Mary Robinson, High Commissioner for Human Rights and Secretary-General of the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, to the Bureau of the

3rd Preparatory Committee, Thursday, 9 August 2001:

WORLD YOUTH FORUM OPENS FOURTH SESSION IN DAKAR

Youth Delegates, UN Representatives Begin Debate

On Special Concerns, Challenges of Young Men and Women

HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TO ADDRESS GLOBAL AUDIENCE OVER INTERNET

IN LEAD-UP TO WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM

GENEVA, 8 August (UN Information Service) -- The World Conference against Racism will top the agenda on 9 August as people from around the globe get a chance to talk directly to United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson via the Internet.

RECORD NUMBER OF LEADERS TO ATTEND UN SPECIAL SESSION ON CHILDREN

75 Heads of State Confirmed for Special Session of General Assembly

A record number of world leaders will attend a landmark Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on children next month in New York, United Nations officials announced today.

NEW INSIGHT INTO AFRICA'S THREATENED SEA TURTLES

(Reissued as received.)

NAIROBI/BONN, 7 August 2001 (UNEP) -- Urgent international efforts are needed to conserve West Africa's sea turtles, with studies showing that the region holds some of the world's most important feeding and nesting sites, many of them under threat.

SALUTING INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY, SECRETARY-GENERAL STRESSES FIGHT

AGAINST AIDS, UNEMPLOYMENT

This is the text of the message from Secretary-General Kofi Annan for International Youth Day, 12 August: