PRESS STATEMENT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Following is the press statement on the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Security Council President Wang Guangya (China):

IN REMARKS TO SPECIAL COMMITTEE, SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES CONSULTATIONS

WITH ADMINSTERING POWERS TO FURTHER DECOLONIZATION PROCESS

Following is the text of remarks by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Special Committee of 24 at the opening of the 2004 session today:

I am very pleased to join you as you begin your deliberations for 2004.

Commission for Social Development                          

Forty-second Session                                       

11^th Meeting (AM)

GENOCIDE IS THREAT TO PEACE REQUIRING STRONG, UNITED ACTION,

SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS STOCKHOLM INTERNATIONAL FORUM

Following is the address by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, as delivered to the Stockholm International Forum in Stockholm, Sweden, on 26 January 2004:

There can be no more important issue, and no more binding obligation, than the prevention of genocide.

FIGHTING HUNGER TODAY COULD HELP PREVENT OBESITY TOMORROW

Unless Nutrition Improves, Health-Care Costs Are Expected to Soar

(Reissued as received.)

ROME, 11 February (FAO) -- Reducing hunger and undernourishment in pregnant women and children could prevent them from becoming overweight and obese, and reduce associated health costs in later life, according to a study released today by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

STUDY TAKES CRITICAL LOOK AT BENEFIT-SHARING OF GENETIC

RESOURCES, TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

WIPO, UNEP Launch Voluntary ‘Access

And Benefit-Sharing’ Case Studies from Africa, Asia

(Reissued as received.)

UNITED NATIONS MEMBER STATES

These are the 191 Member States of the United Nations with dates on which they joined the Organization, following the admission of Switzerland on

10 September 2002, and Timor-Leste (East Timor) on 27 September 2002:

Member	Date of Admission
Afghanistan	19 Nov. 1946

IN MESSAGE TO ARAB LEAGUE – UN SYSTEM MEETING, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

REFORMS URGENTLY NEEDED TO GENERATE GROWTH, CREATE JOBS

Following is the message by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the General Cooperation Meeting between the League of Arab States and the United Nations System, Cairo, 10-13 February, delivered by Mervat Tallawy, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia:

UNEP CHAMPIONS SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION APPROACH

EU Funded Project Enables Transfer of Lessons from Europe to Asia

(Reissued as received)

BANGKOK, 9 February (UNEP) -- A new United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) project has been launched to help make growing middle class consumerism in Asia more in tune with the environment.

Commission for Social Development                          

Forty-second Session                                       

10^th Meeting (AM)