Press Release

Press Release
ECOSOC/5932

UN ESTABLISHES PERMANENT FORUM FOR INDIGENOUS ISSUES

The United Nations Economic and Social Council today adopted by consensus a resolution to establish a Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues -- an unprecedented event in the international community. Today's action was the latest step in a long process initiated in 1993, when the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights first proposed such a forum.

Press Release
DC/2719

1999 UNITED NATIONS DISARMAMENT YEARBOOK RELEASED

NEW YORK, 31 July (Department of Disarmament Affairs) -- The 1999 United Nations Disarmament Yearbook has been released. This reference work focuses on the actions and reactions of the world community to the entire range of disarmament issues. In addition, it provides an overview of regional developments as they reflect concerns at the global level.

Press Release
SG/SM/7499
ECOSOC/5930

SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR ACTION TO ACCELERATE DEBT RELIEF FOR POOR COUNTRIES

Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s closing statement today to the Economic and Social Council substantive session:

Press Release
SC/6901

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS UNOMIG MANDATE UNTIL 31 JANUARY 2001

Resolution 1311 (2000) Adopted Unanimously

The Security Council this morning decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) for a further six months, until 31 January 2001.

Press Release
ECOSOC/5931

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL, WINDING UP 2000 SUBSTANTIVE SESSION, DECIDES TO ESTABLISH INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION, TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE

Adopts 70 Texts, Nine By Recorded Vote

Press Release
TAD/1923

MORE IS LESS: UNCTAD SHOWS WAY TO REDUCE AFRICAN AID DEPENDENCE

GENEVA, 27 July (UNCTAD) -- Doubling the current amount of aid to give a big push to African economies today could end their aid dependence within a decade. This is, in a nutshell, the message from a study on "Capital Flows and Growth in Africa" released today by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Press Release
DEV/2257

INTERGOVERNMENTAL PREPARATORY COMMITTEE ON THIRD UN CONFERENCE ON LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES CONCLUDES FIRST SESSION

The Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee on the Third United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries concluded its first session this afternoon with a commitment to involve all stakeholders in ensuring that the Conference to be held next year led to achievable and quantifiable results.

Press Release
SC/6902

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS, KILLING OF UN PEACEKEEPER, PLIGHT OF REFUGEES, DISCUSSED IN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON EAST TIMOR

Political developments in East Timor, the killing of a United Nations peacekeeper and the continuing plight of refugees in the neighbouring Indonesian province of West Timor were the dominant themes this morning as the Security Council held an open meeting on the situation in East Timor.

Press Release
HR/CT/587

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE CONCLUDES SIXTY-NINTH SESSION

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 28 July (UN Information Services) -- The Human Rights Committee concluded its sixty-ninth session this morning by issuing final observations and recommendations on reports submitted to it by Kyrgyzstan, Ireland, Kuwait and Australia.

Press Release
ECOSOC/5929

UNITED NATIONS KEY TO EXPANDING IMPACT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON DEVELOPMENT, SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

"We must not let the new information technologies become another resource that divides rich and poor nations", Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, told the Economic and Social Council this morning in his closing address as the Council prepared to conclude its 2000 substantive session.