prohibition of torture ‘absolute’, binding on all states, in all circumstances,

says Secretary-General in message on international day

Following is Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, observed 26 June:

SECRETARY-GENERAL, in world refugee day message, notes key role of asylum

countries, urges continued aid for ressettlement efforts

This is the text of the message from Secretary-General Kofi Annan to mark the observance on 20 June of World Refugee Day:

strong evidence ‘treatment for drug abuse can work’, says

SECRETARY-GENERAL in message on international day

Following is Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed 26 June:

in message for day of un peacekeepers, Security Council president pays tribute

to those who have served for their professionalism, dedication, courage

Following is the text of the message from the President of the Security Council, Munir Akram (Pakistan), on the occasion of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers (29 May):

LIVELIHOODS OF OVER ONE BILLION PEOPLE AT RISK FROM DESERTIFICATION,

SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS IN MESSAGE ON INTERNATIONAL DAY

Following is the message by Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, 17 June 2004:

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPERS TO BE OBSERVED

AS DEMANDS FOR NEW PEACE OPERATIONS SURGE

NEW YORK, 24 May (DPI) -- The second observance of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on 29 May comes at a moment of increased demands around the world for United Nations peacekeepers.

PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS BEST WAY OF ENSURING SUSTAINABLE PEACE, SAYS

SECRETARY-GENERAL ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF UN PEACEKEEPERS

Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message for the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, which will be observed on 29 May:

SECRETARY-GENERAL, MARKING WORLD TELECOMMUNICATION DAY, SAYS AFFORDABLE

TECHNOLOGIES CAN BE EFFECTIVE ENGINES OF SOCIAL, MATERIAL CHANGE

The following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message on World Telecommunication Day, 17 May 2004:

Secretary-General urges all to recognize and support contributions of family,

in message on international day of families

Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message on the occasion of the International Day of Families, 15 May:

Secretary-General says failure to stop biodiversity loss

toO awful to contemplate

Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity, on 22 May: