Press Release

Commission for Social Development                          

Forty-second Session                                       

POOR MORE SUBJECT TO COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

More Action, Resources Needed for Asia to Reach Development Goals

(Reissued as received.)

MANILA, 4 February (UN Information Service) -- While considerable progress has been made to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), there are still 766 million people in the region who live below one dollar a day.

SECRETARY-GENERAL INVITES GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADERS

TO RESUME NEGOTIATIONS IN NEW YORK ON 10 FEBRUARY

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

Economic and Social Council                                

2004 Organizational Session                                

2^nd Meeting (AM)

MULTILATERAL APPROACHES ARE EFFECTIVE IN COUNTERING THREAT OF MASS DESTRUCTION

WEAPONS, BUT SERIOUS GAPS REMAIN, SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS ADVISORY BOARD

Following is the text of remarks, as delivered by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, to the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters, in New York today:

DISARMAMENT ADVISORY BOARD TO ADDRESS TERRORISM, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

AT FORTHCOMING NEW YORK SESSION, 4 - 6 FEBRUARY

NEW YORK, 3 February (Department for Disarmament Affairs) -- The Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters will meet for a three-day closed session in New York from 4 to 6 February 2004.  The last session of the Board was held in Geneva from 16 to 18 July 2003.  The Board meets twice a year.

LEAD ADDITIVES FOR GASOLINE, DEADLY PESTICIDE TARGETED FOR TRADE WATCH LIST

(Reissued as received.)

Background Release                             

COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT TO MEET AT HEADQUARTERS FROM 4 TO 13 FEBRUARY;

MEMBERS TO DISCUSS PUBLIC SECTOR EFFECTIVENESS

                                                            SG/SM/9143

POPPY CULTIVATION IN AFGHANISTAN -– SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVES

FAO Asks for $25.5 Million to Finance

Development Projects in Main Poppy-Producing Areas

ROME, 2 February (FAO) -- Eliminating opium production in Afghanistan will only be successful if poverty and unemployment are reduced at the same time, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.