Press Release

Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Sixth Summit of leaders and heads of State of the Community of Sahelo-Saharan States (CENSAD), held in Bamako, Mali, from 15 to 16 May, which was read by Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa:

Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues                       

Third Session                                              

DESPITE UN’S ACHIEVEMENTS, JOB OF DECOLONIZATION REMAINS INCOMPLETE

SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS PACIFIC REGIONAL SEMINAR IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

CULTURAL SENSITIVITY KEY TO DEVELOPMENT, NEW UNFPA REPORT SHOWS

NEW YORK, 18 May (UNFPA) -– Development efforts stand greater chances of succeeding when they are presented to beneficiaries in a culturally sensitive manner and built on open dialogue and community involvement, according to a new report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

AFRICA NEEDS TO REMOVE OBSTACLES TO TRADE, SAYS AMOAKO

(Reissued as received.)

KAMPALA, 18 May (ECA) –- African countries must do more to maximize the benefits of trade for development, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), K.Y. Amoako, said today.

International Narcotics Control Board Elects

Professor Hamid Ghodse of Iran as President

(Reissued as received.)

Background Release                                         

GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON DISABILITY CONVENTION

TO MEET AT UN HEADQUARTERS, 24 MAY – 4 JUNE

UNITED NATIONS CONFIRMS 39 DEAD IN ATTACK ON CAMP NEAR GULU, UGANDA

GENEVA/NEW YORK, 18 May (OCHA) –- Thirty-nine people have been confirmed dead and 17 injured after an attack by the rebel group known as the Lord's Resistance Army on the Pagak camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Uganda.

decolonization seminar hears Calls for closer monitoring

of Administering Powers, greater action on resolutions

(Received from a UN Information Officer.)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA, 18 May -– The Pacific Regional Seminar on Decolonization continued this afternoon, with its second meeting focused on the role of administering Powers and the perspectives of the representatives of American Samoa, FLNKS (New Caledonia) and Pitcairn.

Committee on NGOs