NEW ECOSOC PRESIDENT ASSUMES POST TODAY

The 2002 session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) will begin today (14 January) with the election of Ambassador Ivan Šimonović, Permanent Representative of Croatia.

Preparatory Committee for the

International Conference

 on Financing for Development                              

1^st Meeting (AM)

SHARP FOCUS REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE TANGIBLE RESULTS, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL,

Committee on NGOs

31^st Meeting (AM)

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTEE BEGINS RESUMED 2002 SESSION

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations elected a new Vice Chairman this morning, as it began its resumed 2001 session.  It also adopted its agenda and programme of work, among other organizational matters.  The session will conclude on 26 January.

SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY SADDENED AT DEATH OF CYRUS VANCE,

FORMER UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE

The following statement was issued on 13 January by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Cyrus Vance, the former United States Secretary of State, who undertook many important missions for the United Nations, notably in the former Yugoslavia.

Economic and Social Council

2002 Organizational Session

1^st Meeting (PM)

CONTRIBUTION OF HUMAN CAPITAL TO DEVELOPMENT WILL BE FOCUS

OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL IN 2002

Beginning Organizational Session for Coming Year,

Council Elects Ivan Šimonovic of Croatia as Its New President

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) held its first meeting for

Committee on NGOs

32^nd Meeting (PM)

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS 13 NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR CONSULTATIVE STATUS

WITH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) this afternoon began consideration of new applications from organizations requesting consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, as part of its 2001 resumed session.

SECRETARY-GENERAL DEPLORES HAMAS ATTACK INSIDE ISRAEL, DESTRUCTION

OF PALESTINIAN HOUSES IN GAZA BY ISRAELI DEFENCE FORCE

Calls on Parties Not to Be Deterred from Efforts to Resume Security Cooperation

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

PRESS STATEMENT ON AFGHANISTAN BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is today's press statement by Security Council President Jagdish Koonjul (Mauritius) concerning Afghanistan:

Security Council members were briefed by the Under-Secretary-General Sir Kieran Prendergast on the situation in Afghanistan.

SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS TANGIBLE RESULTS POSSIBLE AT CONFERENCE ON FINANCING

FOR DEVELOPMENT IF GROUP OF 77 CREATES REALISTIC PLATFORM FOR NEGOTIATIONS

Following is the text of remarks today by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the ceremony marking the turnover of chairmanship of the Group of 77 from Iran to Venezuela:

RECONCILIATION, REHABILITATION IN SOMALIA ARE KEY CONCERNS, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL

Somalia's Leaders Must Rise above Differences and Put Interests of Peace First

Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the Summit Meeting of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), delivered by Mohamed Sahnoun, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General, in Khartoum,

10-11 January: