ECOSOC CONCLUDES GENERAL DISCUSSION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMME

OF ACTION FOR LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 17 July (UN Information Service) -- The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) this morning concluded its general discussion on the review and coordination of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010 -- the Brussels Programme of Action.

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES INSTALLATION OF NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT

IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the installation of the Government of National Unity and Transition in Kinshasa, marked by the swearing-in ceremony of the Vice Presidents today.

SITUATION OF WORLD’S LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES NOT MUCH BETTER SINCE 2001

GENEVA, 17 July (UN Information Service) -- Halting progress in the world’s 49 least developed countries (LDC’s) was reported this week to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), along with a call to set their plight higher on the international agenda.

Security Council

4788^th Meeting (AM)

IN BRIEFING TO SECURITY COUNCIL, SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE CALLS

ON PARTIES TO ‘STAY THE COURSE’ IN FACE OF POSSIBLE CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS

UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION COMMISSION PAYS OUT $190 MILLION

TO 25 GOVERNMENTS AND ONE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 17 July (UN Information Service) -- The United Nations Compensation Commission has made available today a total of $190,381,244.88 to 25 governments and one international organization for distribution to 1,069 successful claimants.

ECOSOC BEGINS REVIEW OF AGENDA ITEMS ON COORDINATION,

PROGRAMMES, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS

Considers Reports on Coordination Bodies, Budget, UNAIDS,

Information and Communication Technologies, Situation in Guinea-Bissau and Haiti

(Reissued as received.)

SECRETARY-GENERAL ‘STRONGLY CONDEMNS’ COUP D’ÉTAT IN SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE

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

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the coup d’état in Sao Tome and Principe and calls for the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order.  He also calls for the prompt release of government officials detained during the coup.

TWO-DAY UN SEMINAR ON ASSISTANCE TO PALESTINIAN PEOPLE CONCLUDES

(Reissued as received.)

ECOSOC ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON ITS ROLE IN IMPLEMENTATION

OF OUTCOMES OF MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

Begins Consideration of General Segment On Implementation of Monterrey Consensus and Brussels Programme of Action

(Reissued as received.)

SECRETARY-GENERAL ‘VERY PLEASED’ AT APPOINTMENT OF OLUYEMI ADENIJI

AS FOREIGN MINISTER OF NIGERIA

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