Press Release

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)

MAJOR PROGRESS MUST BE ACHIEVED IN REFORM OF SECURITY SECTOR IN DEMOCRATIC

REPUBLIC OF CONGO, DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

Following is the text of introductory remarks, translated from French, by Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette at the high-level meeting on security sector reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, New York, 9 February:

GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADERS TO MEET

WITH SECRETARY-GENERAL TODAY, 10 FEBRUARY

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

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RICE TO BE HELD IN ROME, 12 – 13 FEBRUARY

(Reissued as received.)

SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION CONCLUDES VISIT TO COTE D’IVOIRE

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 10 February (UN Information Service) -- The Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Ambeyi Ligabo, has completed a visit to Côte d’Ivoire (29 January to 5 February 2004) undertaken at the invitation of the Government.

SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNOUNCES FACT-FINDING TEAM HAS ARRIVED IN BAGHDAD

The following statement by Secretary-GeneralKofi Annan was issued by the Spokesman on 7 February:

UN REPORT HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS OF CONSERVING EARTH’S CLOUD FORESTS

KUALA LUMPUR/CAMBRIDGE/NAIROBI, 9 February (UNEP) -- The Earth's cloud forests, vital and unique habitats for thousands of rare and endangered species, and suppliers of year-round water supplies for farmers, rural communities and many rapidly growing cities, are under increasing threat from factors, including agriculture, road-building and climate change.

UNITED NATIONS TEAM ARRIVES AT INDONESIAN QUAKE SCENE

NEW YORK, 9 February (OCHA) -- Following the series of earthquakes that hit Papua province in Indonesia, a team from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) arrived in Nabire on 8 February.  The team is supporting local authorities in assessing damages and needs.

Fifty-eighth General Assembly