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)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES AWARDEES OF 2003 UNITED NATIONS

PRIZE IN FIELD OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Following is the text of the statement by General AssemblyPresident Julian Robert Hunte (Saint Lucia) announcing the recipients of the 2003 United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights:

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.”

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”.

Fifty-eighth General Assembly

Third Committee

61^st & 62^nd Meetings (AM & PM)

CONCLUDING CURRENT SESSION, THIRD COMMITTEE APPROVES DRAFT RESOLUTIONS

ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN CAMBODIA, MYANMAR, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Five Recorded Votes Held Concerning Text on Democratic Republic of Congo

GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT, IN INTERNATIONAL DAY MESSAGE, CALLS FOR SUPPORT

FOR EFFORTS TO RESOLVE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

Following is the statement by the President of the fifty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly, Julian Robert Hunte (Saint Lucia), on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People:

FAO STUDY EXAMINES IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS IN RURAL AFRICA

ROME, 1 December (FAO) -- The steady advance of HIV/AIDS is devastating rural households in Africa, plunging families into poverty and hunger, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on World Aids Day.

Fifty-eighth General Assembly

Fifth Committee

23^rd Meeting (AM)

FIFTH COMMITTEE DEBATE FOCUSES ON PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS

TO PLANNING, BUDGETING PROCESS

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) this morning focused on the proposed improvements to the current process of planning and budgeting and on the administration of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.