Fifty-eighth General Assembly

Plenary

9^th & 10^th Meetings (AM & PM)

HEADS OF STATE, GOVERNMENT UNDERLINE NEED FOR CONCERTED ACTION TO PREVENT

INERTIA, AS GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONTINUES GENERAL DEBATE

Speakers Tell Assembly of Need to Ensure ‘Advent of Century of the Global Village’

MILLENNIUM ECOSYSTEM ASSESSMENT RELEASES FIRST REPORT,

EXAMINES LINKS BETWEEN ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT

(Reissued as received.)

WASHINGTON, D.C., 24 September (UNEP) -- The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), the most extensive study ever of the linkages between the world's ecosystems and human well-being, today released its first report, Ecosystems and Human Well-being.

SECRETARY-GENERAL, ITALIAN PREMIER SIGN DECLARATION ON UN-EU COOPERATION

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

OPENING AD HOC MEETING ON AFGHANISTAN, SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR CONTINUED

SUPPORT FOR POLITICAL PROCESS, SECURITY REFORM, RECONSTRUCTION

Following is the statement as delivered today by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the high-level ad hoc meeting on Afghanistan:

PROVIDING URBAN POOR WITH CLEAN WATER AND DECENT SANITATION,

FOCUS OF ANNUAL WORLD HABITAT DAY

(Reissued as received.)

SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ADDS SIX INDIVIDUALS

TO AL-QAIDA SECTION OF ITS CONSOLIDATED LIST

The Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee on 23 September 2003 added the names of the following six individuals to its consolidated list (Al-Qaida section):

*Name: 1: SHADI 2: MOHAMED 3: MUSTAFA 4: ABDALLA

INTERNATIONAL TEAM DOCUMENTS DAMAGE FROM PAKISTAN TANKER SPILL;

PROGRAMME OF SCIENTIFIC STUDIES, RESTORATION RECOMMENDED

(Reissued as received.)

BANGKOK, 23 September -- An international team convened to assess the environmental damage caused by oil spilled from the tanker MT Tasman Spirit has reported its findings and recommendations to the Government of Pakistan.

ADOPTION OF POLICY OF PRE-EMPTION COULD RESULT IN PROLIFERATION OF UNILATERAL,

LAWLESS USE OF FORCE, SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Following is the address, as delivered today, by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the General Assembly:

The last 12 months have been very painful for those of us who believe in collective answers to our common problems and challenges.

MILLIONS REMAIN FOOD INSECURE IN IRAQ DESPITE BETTER HARVEST, SAY UN AGENCIES

(Reissued as received.)

ROME,23 September (FAO) -- Despite a better cereal harvest and the lifting of economic sanctions, according to a report published today by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), nearly half of the 26.3 million Iraqis are estimated to be poor and in need of assistance.

SYNTHETIC DRUG ABUSE EXCEEDS THAT OF HEROIN AND COCAINE COMBINED,

SAYS NEW UN STUDY

Global Survey on Ecstasy, Amphetamines

Reveals Alarming Abuse and Trafficking Patterns

(Reissued as received.)