GENDER EQUALITY, WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT VITAL TOOLS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN MESSAGE ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Following is the text of the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on International Women’s Day, which is observed 8 March:

Security Council

4479^th Meeting (AM)

AFGHANISTAN POLITICAL PROGRESS FASTER THAN EXPECTED; SECURITY THREATS REMAIN,

UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS TELLS SECURITY COUNCIL

Political progress in Afghanistan had occurred at a rate faster than expected, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Kieran Prendergast, told the Security Council this morning, during a briefing on the situation in that country.

SECRETARY-GENERAL DIRECTS ‘THOROUGH INVESTIGATION’ OF ALLEGATIONS

OF ABUSE OF CHILDREN IN WEST AFRICAN REFUGEE CAMPS

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

The Secretary-General is clearly shocked and disturbed at the news of the possible extensive abuse of children in refugee camps in West Africa.

Security Council

4480^th Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MINURSO’S MANDATE TO 30 APRIL 2002

Unanimously Adopting Resolution 1394 (2002), Members Decide

Security Council

4481^st Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL RE-ESTABLISHES PANEL INVESTIGATING LIBERIA SANCTIONS,

REQUESTS FOLLOW-UP ASSESSMENT BY 8 APRIL

Unanimously Adopts Resolution 1395 (2002)

Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in London on Saturday, 23 February.

Security Council

4478^th Meeting (resumed) (Night)

IN RESUMED DEBATE ON MIDDLE EAST, SECURITY COUNCIL HEARS REITERATED CALLS

FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF MITCHELL RECOMMENDATIONS

Saudi Arabian Representative Says No Security Possible

Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Third Committee

61^st  & 62^nd Meetings (AM & PM)

THIRD COMMITTEE APPROVES FOUR DRAFT TEXTS ON RACISM, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION,

AS IT CONCLUDES WORK FOR 56^TH SESSION

Draft Supporting Establishment of Anti-Discrimination Unit,

Appointment of Experts by Secretary-General Approved by Vote of 137-2-2

PRESS STATEMENT ON WESTERN SAHARA BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

Following is the text of today’s statement on Western Sahara by the President of the Security Council, Adolfo Aguilar Zinser (Mexico):

Members of the Council heard a briefing on 26 February by Hédi Annabi, Assistant Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations.

Mr. Annabi presented to members of the Council the report of the Secretary General on the situation related to Western Sahara.

SECURITY COUNCIL ENDS MISSION TO ETHIOPIA, ERITREA

All 15 members of the Security Council headed back to New York on Monday, having completed a mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea, during which Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki agreed to work with the United Nations to move the peace process forward.