COTE D’IVOIRE:  VIOLENCE WILL WORSEN HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

NEW YORK, 3 December (OCHA) –- With tensions rising in Abidjan, Jan Egeland, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, expressed his concern for civilians trapped in that country’s conflict.  “If the country lapses back into war, it will only compound the suffering of civilians.  I urge all parties to bring an end to the fighting immediately to prevent a humanitarian crisis from worsening.”

ONLY COLLECTIVE ENGAGEMENT CAN TACKLE AFRICA’S URGENT URBAN CHALLENGE

SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL TO CAMEROON ‘AFRICITIES’ CONFERENCE

Following is Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message to the “Africities Summit”, delivered by Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme(UN-HABITAT), in Yaoundé, Cameroon, 2 December:

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.

SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES FACE GROWING VULNERABILITY, FAO WARNS

UN Conference in Mauritius in 2004 Will Reflect on Long-term Vision

      ROME, 2 December (FAO) -- "The situation of small island developing States (SIDS)* continues to be one of exposure and growing vulnerability due to new challenges and emerging economic, social and ecological issues",says a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report.

SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON SOMALIA DISCUSSES FINDINGS OF NOVEMBER MISSION

NEW YORK, 2 December (Department of Political Affairs) -- On 26 November 2003, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia, discussed its mission to the region and exchanged views on concrete recommendations reflecting the findings of the mission.

MANY SKI RESORTS HEADING DOWNHILL AS RESULT OF GLOBAL WARMING

Fifth World Conference on Sport and Environment in Turin, 2-3 December

TURIN/NAIROBI, 2 December (UNEP) -- Many low-altitude ski resorts face economic hardship, and even ruin, as a result of global warming, a new study launched today by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) concludes.

Fifty-eighth General Assembly

Plenary

66^th & 67^th Meetings (AM & PM)

PRESIDENT OF UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL AND CHAIRMAN

OF MILITARY STAFF COMMITTEE IN DECEMBER

In accordance with the principle of alphabetical rotation, the following are the President of the United Nations Security Council and the Chairman of the Military Staff Committee for December:

Security Council

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS NEW SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR SIERRA LEONE

The Secretary-General has appointed Daudi Ngelautwa Mwakawago as his new Special Representative for Sierra Leone, with immediate effect.

SECRETARY-GENERAL HAILS ANNIVERSARY OF COSTA RICA’S

ABOLITION OF ITS ARMED FORCES

Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s video message on the fifty-fifth anniversary of Costa Rica’s abolition of its armed forces, 1 December:

The Costa Ricans themselves have put it best.  Fifty-five years ago today, their country “declared peace to the world”.