PRESS CONFERENCE ON COTE D’IVOIRE

Outlining the latest developments in the peace process in Côte d’Ivoire at a Headquarters press conference this morning, that country’s Permanent Representative, Philippe Djangone-Bi, told correspondents that the implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement was yielding definite results.

PRESS BRIEFING BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

The Security Council would have a full agenda this month with Afghanistan, Africa and the Middle East, among other issues, Heraldo Muñoz, Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for January, told correspondents this afternoon at Headquarters.

PRESS BRIEFING BY DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMME PLANNING AND BUDGET DIVISION

PRESS BRIEFING BY SECRETARY-GENERAL’S HUMANITARIAN ENVOY FOR CÔTE D’IVOIRE

With tensions simmering between the Ivorian Government and the “New Forces” opposition, the latest round of talks aimed at ending the conflict in Côte d’Ivoire were at a standstill, and with civilians in rebel-held areas still cut off from basic services, the challenge was to convince donors to provide funding for the ongoing humanitarian efforts, the top United Nations Envoy for the country said today.

PRESS CONFERENCE BY SECURITY COUNCIL MONITORING GROUP

ON AL-QAIDA, TALIBAN SANCTIONS

The recent visit to five countries by the monitoring group established by the Security Council to oversee sanctions against Al-Qaida and Taliban had yielded a wealth of information, its Chairman told correspondents at a Headquarters press conference today.

PRESS BRIEFING ON SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION CONFERENCE

The upcoming High-level Conference on South-South Cooperation in Marakesh aimed to refocus international attention on development questions, which had been shoved aside by recent threats to international peace and security, Morocco’s Permanent Representative told correspondents at a Headquarters briefing today.

PRESS BRIEFING ON SECRETARY-GENERAL’S IRAQ REPORT

Briefing correspondents today on the Secretary-General’s latest report on Iraq, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Kieran Prendergast said it was impossible now to forecast if and when circumstances would permit full deployment of the United Nations Assistance mission there.

PRESS BRIEFING ON POPULATION DIVISION REPORT

In 2300, the world’s population would be approximately 9 billion –- an increase of nearly 3 billion over the current population –- according to the “medium” scenario envisaged in the “World Population in 2300” report, presented today by Joseph Charmie, Director of the Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, at a Headquarters press briefing.

PRESS BRIEFING BY UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

There was a strong correlation between economic growth and poverty reduction, Jose Antonio Ocampo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said this morning at the launch of the second part of the World Economic and Social Survey 2003.

PRESS BRIEFING BY UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

The next 12 months could prove critical for the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan, Jean-Marie Guéhenno, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, told correspondents at a Headquarters press briefing this afternoon.