GA/PAL/739
21 January 1997
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the Elaboration of an International Convention to Combat Desertification suspended its tenth session on Friday night, 17 January.
Following is the statement made today by Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the occasion of the ceremonial take-over by the United Republic of Tanzania from Costa Rica of the Chairmanship of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China:
Secretary-General Kofi Annan today took personal direction of United Nations reform in a 90-minute Saturday morning meeting with senior advisers that addressed the time-frame and the process for the reform effort.