GOVERNMENTAL EXPERTS TO REVIEW RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISARMAMENT

AND DEVELOPMENT, 17-21 NOVEMBER

NEW YORK, 17 November (Department for Disarmament Affairs) -- A group of governmental experts to undertake a review of the relationship between disarmament and development is holding its first session from 17 to 21 November, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON ISTANBUL SYNAGOGUES

The following statement was issued by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 15 November:

SECRETARY-GENERAL PRAISES ITALY’S LEADERSHIP IN STRUGGLE TO REALIZE RIGHTS

OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, IN MESSAGE TO NEW YORK AWARD CEREMONY

Following is Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award Ceremony, honouring Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, President of Italy, delivered by Mrs. Nane Annan, in New York on 17 November:

INFORMATION SUMMIT NEGOTIATIONS AGREE ON BULK OF DECLARATION, ACTION PLAN;

Fifty-eighth General Assembly

Second Committee

35^th Meeting (PM)

SECOND COMMITTEE HEARS INTRODUCTION OF DRAFT RESOLUTIONS ON DEVELOPMENT FINANCING,

COMMODITIES, GLOBALIZATION, NATURAL RESOURCES IN OCCUPIED TERRITORY

ITALY RECEIVES FDR INTERNATIONAL DISABILITY AWARD FOR SPEARHEADING EFFORTS

TO IMPROVE LIVES OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Italy was saluted today at the United Nations for spearheading national and international efforts to promote the “equalization” of persons with disabilities, as it received the seventh annual Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award.

ASBESTOS AND TWO HAZARDOUS PESTICIDES COULD BE ADDED TO TRADE WATCH LIST

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee of Rotterdam Convention Meets

PAN AFRICAN CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS HOW TO MEET AFRICA'S WATER GOALS

ADDIS ABABA, 17 November (ECA) -- Delegates from about 43 African countries will attend the first Pan African Implementation and Partnership Conference on Water (PANAFCON) in Addis Ababa from 8-13 December 2003, a statement from the UN-Water/Africa Secretariat, based at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), said today.

Security Council

4859^th Meeting (AM)

PEACEKEEPING UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL, BRIEFING SECURITY COUNCIL, DESCRIBES

WIDE RANGE OF MEASURES TAKEN TO COUNTER SPREAD OF HIV/AIDS IN UN MISSIONS

Pre-Deployment Training, Awareness Cards, AIDS Advisers among Steps;

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS DEADLY ATTACK AGAINST REFUGEE WORKER

IN AFGHANISTAN, CALLS FOR GREATER SECURITY MEASURES

The following statement was issued by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 16 November: