PRESS STATEMENT ON SOMALIA BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

Following is today’s statement to the press on Somalia by Security Council President Stefan Tafrov (Bulgaria):

FAO, united arab emirates to support food security in arab world

by strengthening national agricultral information centre

(Reissued as received.)

SECRETARY-GENERAL PAYS TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS OF HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE FOR UN DELEGATIONS

Following is the text of the video message by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Hospitality Committee for United Nations Delegations:

Fifty-eighth General Assembly

Plenary

68^th Meeting (AM)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS TEXTS ON PALESTINE, MIDDLE EAST, INTERNATIONAL YEAR

OF FAMILY, GLOBAL THREATS, CULTURAL PROPERTY

Also Appoints Seven Members to Committee on Conferences

SECRETARY-GENERAL, ADDRESSING WORLD AFFAIRS FORUM, UNDERSCORES

NEED FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION TO FACE GLOBAL CHALLENGES

Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s address to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council yesterday, 2 December:

I really do feel at home seeing some old friends, Warren Christopher and his wife.  I recall our last visit here and how well they took care of us.

Ad Hoc Committee for Voluntary

Contributions to UNRWA

AM Meeting

NINETEEN DONOR COUNTRIES PLEDGE $72 MILLION FOR ACTIVITIES OF UNRWA IN 2004

Nineteen donor countries pledged $72 million for the 2004 budget of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) at this morning’s meeting of the General Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee for Voluntary Contributions.

SECRETARY-GENERAL, OBSERVING HUMAN RIGHTS DAY, STRESSES

THAT DEFENDING RIGHTS IS RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL

Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message on Human Rights Day, 10 December:

UNITED NATIONS FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION CALLS

FOR INTENSIFIED ACTION TO COMBAT ILLEGAL FISHING

Agency Gears to Do More as It Reports

Deepening of Problem to Governing Conference

CITIES CAN BE VEHICLES FOR PEACE, SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL

Following are the remarks delivered by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at a meeting with the City Council and Mayor of Los Angeles today:

I am delighted and honoured to be among you today.  Above all, I am heartened that you have adopted this resolution in support of the Millennium Development Goals.

DISABLED PERSONS CAN MAKE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS

Study Addresses Extension, Training Needs of Farmers with Physical Disabilities

ROME, 2 December (FAO) -- The contribution of individuals with disabilities to agricultural projects can have a significant impact on food security, says a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) study released ahead of the annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons.