NATIONAL EFFORTS TO COMBAT RACISM, DISCRIMINATION HEARD

IN GENERAL DEBATE AT RACISM CONFERENCE

DURBAN, 5 September -- As the plenary of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance this morning heard from United Nations Member States and national institutions, several speakers urged that the spirit of the debate be captured in the final Declaration and Programme of Action.

ACTION TAKEN BY WORKING GROUPS ON DRAFT DECLARATION

AND DRAFT ACTION PROGRAMME, 4 SEPTEMBER

DURBAN, 5 September -- On Tuesday, 4 September, Working Group I on the draft declaration for the World Conference on Racism and Working Group II on the draft programme of action for the Conference each held three meetings.  Working Group I is being chaired by Marc Bossuyt of Belgium, and Working Group II is being chaired by Bonaventure M. Bowa of Zambia.

                                                      RD/956/Rev.1*

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ADDRESS CONFERENCE

AGAINST RACISM FOR FIRST TIME

OPENING SESSION OF CONFERENCE GENERAL DEBATE FOCUSES

ON ADDRESSING LEGACY OF SLAVERY, COLONIALISM

DURBAN, 1 September -- Several heads of State and other top government officials from countries around the world this morning spoke on the scourge of racial hatred and the need to broaden practices of tolerance, as the United Nations World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance opened its general debate.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION MESSAGE VITAL, ANNAN TELLS BUSINESS LEADERS

DURBAN, 31 August 2001 -- It is vital that company heads send a consistent message that they will not tolerate discrimination in hiring or promotion practices and make clear that their companies will uphold human rights in their operations, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said this afternoon.

ACTION TAKEN BY WORKING GROUPS ON DRAFT DECLARATION AND DRAFT ACTION

PROGRAMME, 31 AUGUST - 2 SEPTEMBER

DURBAN, 3 September -- As of 2 September, Working Group I on the draft declaration had so far held four meetings, while Working Group II on the draft programme of action had held six meetings.  Working Group I is being chaired by Marc Bossuyt of Belgium, and Working Group II is being chaired by Bonaventure M. Bowa of Zambia. 

                                                         RD/948

PRESIDENT, SECRETARY-GENERAL URGE DELEGATES TO COMMIT TO ENSURING

SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION TO CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM

DURBAN -- The President and the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Conference against Racism this morning urged delegates to continue their work in a spirit of give-and-take to ensure a successful conclusion to the Conference.

4 September 2001

SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES COUNTRIES AT RACISM CONFERENCE

TO ‘STAY THE COURSE’ FOLLOWING ISRAEL, US WITHDRAWAL

DURBAN, 3 September -- The following statement is attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General: