RURAL AREAS RECOGNIZED AS KEY IN ANTI-POVERTY FIGHT,

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL TOLD

Growingrecognition that the rural areas –- where 75 per cent of the world’s poor live -- are key in the fight against poverty is coupled with newly rising levels of international assistance, Lennart Baäge, the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, told a meeting of the United NationsEconomic and Social Council (ECOSOC) today.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONGRATULATES NEW PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT OF BURUNDI,

NOTES ONGOING VIOLENCE AND INSTABILITY DESPITE CEASEFIRE

Following is Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message on the occasion of the swearing-in of the President and Vice-President of Burundi for the second phase of the transition, delivered by Berhanu Dinka, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Burundi, in Bujumbura on 30 April:

[OCHA]

Sudan Agreement opens nile river corridor,

improves humanitarian access to South

NEW YORK, 30 April (OCHA) -- Parties to the conflict in the Sudan have agreed to open a new corridor that would allow enhanced humanitarian access to southern Sudan.

Economic and Social Council

High-Level Segment Preparatory

AM & PM Meeting

RURAL DEVELOPMENT CRITICAL TO MEETING ANTI-POVERTY GOALS SET

AT 2000 MILLENNIUM SUMMIT, ECOSOC TOLD

Series of Round Table Discussions Held

in Preparation for High-Level Segment in Geneva

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONGRATULATES NEW PRIME MINISTER OF PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY, CALLS SWEARING-IN OF ABU MAZEN ‘NOTABLE STEP’ IN BUILDING DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS

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

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPEALS TO SECURITY COUNCIL, WIDER INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

FOR FUNDS TO SECURE PEACE IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Following is the statement, as delivered, by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Security Council meeting devoted to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on 29 April:

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS TERRORIST ATTACK IN TEL AVIV,

SAYS IT MUST NOT DERAIL PEACE PROCESS

The following statement was issued on 29 April by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

PRESIDENT OF UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL AND CHAIRMAN

OF MILITARY STAFF COMMITTEE IN MAY

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 May:

Security Council

Commission on Sustainable Development

Eleventh Session

4^th Meeting (AM & PM)

OBSTACLES FACING AFRICA IN REACHING JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT GOALS

FOCUS OF DISCUSSION IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

Security Council

4748^th Meeting* (AM)

SPEAKERS IN SECURITY COUNCIL SAY UNITED NATIONS’ EXPERIENCE IN CONFLICT

RESOLUTION, PEACEKEEPING CAN PROVE USEFUL IN IRAQ, OTHER NEW SITUATIONS