SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES CONFERENCE TO MEET WORLD’S EXPECTATIONS

WITH CALL FOR ACTION TO COMBAT RACISM

Must Banish from New Century Hatred and Prejudice of Past

Following is the text of the opening address today by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the World Conference against Racism in Durban, South Africa:

CONFERENCE MUST ISSUE CLARION CALL TO END UNSPEAKABLE EVILS OF RACISM,

CONFERENCE PRESIDENT SAYS

   Following is the text of an address today, as received, by Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa and President of the World Conference against Racism, at the opening ceremony of the Conference in Durban, South Africa:

MARY ROBINSON, SECRETARY-GENERAL, WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM

Mary Robinson, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, is Secretary-General of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance taking place in Durban, South Africa, from 31 August to 7 September. 

Mrs. Robinson, a former President of Ireland, has served as High Commissioner since June 1997.

NKOSAZANA DLAMINI ZUMA ELECTED PRESIDENT

OF WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM

Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, South Africa's Foreign Minister, was elected President of the World Conference against Racism as it opened in Durban this morning.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT ENCOURAGES CONFERENCE TO WORK HARD TO MAKE

OUTCOME A LANDMARK FOR FURTHER ACTION AGAINST RACISM

Following is the text of a statement today by Harri Holkeri, President of the United Nations General Assembly, at the opening of the World Conference against Racism in Durban, South Africa

SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT TELLS CONFERENCE ‘WE MUST COMBINE TO DEFEAT

CONSEQUENCES OF SLAVERY, COLONIALISM AND RACISM’

Following is the text of an address today by the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, at the opening of the World Conference against Racism in Durban, South Africa:

                                                         SG/SM/7934

SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON NGOS TO CREATE WORLDWIDE ANTI-RACISM MOVEMENT

Following is the text of a speech given by Secretary-General Kofi Annan in Durban today, at the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Forum running parallel to the Racism Conference:

UN SECRETARY-GENERAL AND HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

TO HOST GLOBAL COMPACT DIALOGUE

Theme is ‘Discrimination is Everybody’s Business’

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 29 August (UN Information Service) -- Business and trade union leaders will meet in Durban on 31 August to discuss the impact of racism and discrimination in the workplace and wider community.

Background Release

WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM TO OPEN IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA ON 31 AUGUST

DURBAN, 27 August -- The World Conference against Racism will take place in Durban, South Africa from 31 August to 7 September, with progress having been made on some of the key issues before it, including questions related to slavery, identification of the victims of racism and the Middle East.