United Nations Daily Highlights, 03-07-11

United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.org

OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC

ASSOCIATE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Friday, July 11, 2003

ANNAN DISCUSSES AIDS AT AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT

Secretary-General Kofi Annan began his final day in Maputo, Mozambique, with a working breakfast hosted by President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, to reviewed the progress to date in the fight against AIDS in Africa and to discuss a work plan for the coming year. Speaking to reporters afterward, the Secretary-General said that the officials gathered for the breakfast had very useful and constructive discussions, not just on AIDS but also on conflict resolution, economic and social development and the empowerment of women.

In the afternoon, the Secretary-General visited an AIDS clinic at Matola, on the outskirts of Maputo, run by the Catholic Order of St. Egidio, which has done a remarkable job in dealing with mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The clinic houses some 300 HIV-positive pregnant mothers; but, following treatment with anti-retroviral drugs, only three out of 151 babies born at the clinic have been diagnosed as HIV-positive.

A baby boy was born at the clinic as the visit was taking place, and the Secretary-General met with the mother, telling her that his own name, Kofi, means a boy born on Friday. The mother decided to name the boy Kofi.

The Secretary-General told the workers at the AIDS clinic, This is our fight, and lets all move ahead and win this fight.

AIDS was also the subject of some of the bilateral meetings the Secretary-General held in the margins of the African Union Summit. He saw the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Dr. Peter Piot, to discuss tighter coordination between the UN and the Global Fund against AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis for the most effective use of the increased funds in the fight against AIDS.

He also met with the Director General of the World Trade Organization, Supachai Panitchpakdi, with whom he discussed efforts by multinational pharmaceutical firms to make AIDS medication available at low cost to developing countries. The Secretary-General emphasized that there should be no slippage in this campaign, and he invited Supachai to join him at a meeting with pharmaceutical executives that he is planning for later this year. Supachai agreed.

The Secretary-General will be departing Mozambique this evening, to return to New York over the weekend.

Asked about the Secretary-Generals travels to Washington on Monday, the Spokesman said it would be a day trip, and that details were still being finalized.

ANNAN HOLDS DISCUSSIONS ON BURUNDI WHILE AT SUMMIT

The Secretary-General met with the Foreign Minister of Burundi, Terence Sinunguruza, on the margins of the African Union Summit this afternoon. The Minister raised the issue of the bombardment of his capital and the failure of a second group, the National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD/ Nkurunziza), to honor a ceasefire agreement signed last December.

Earlier in the day, the Secretary-General also had a one-on-one meeting with his Representative for Burundi, Berhanu Dinka.

In Burundi itself, the shelling of the capital continued on Thursday, wounding four civilians in the suburb. A brief pause in the shelling overnight was short-lived when fighting resumed at mid-morning today. Most workers have stayed home, and many businesses remain closed for the second day running.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs today expressed concern for the inaccessible populations in the south, particularly in Bujumbura Rural, where closed highways have prevented any humanitarian access since fighting began on Monday.

The Government has now registered 15,000 displaced people from the suburbs around the capital, temporarily relocated in the Burundi Life Museum.The UN agencies, in cooperation with nongovernmental organizations, have facilitated the delivery of food, water and shelter to the displaced persons.

ANNAN HOPES ECOWAS, US TROOPS MAY COME TO LIBERIA

The Secretary-General, when asked by reporters in Maputo about Liberia, said that there had been a good discussion among West African leaders about that country, and that he was hopeful that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) would send in troops in the not-too-distant future.

He also said that he would meet with U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington, D.C. on Monday to discuss Liberia, among other issues, adding, If President Bush were to decide US troops should join the force, I hope it wouldnt take them too long either to join.

Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners in Monrovia are still struggling to assist tens of thousands of refugees and displaced people in and around the wartorn capital.

Following weeks of looting, UNHCR says its operations are hampered by a shortage of vehicles, which were stolen, and a lack of fuel. Nevertheless, national staff and nongovernmental partners are doing their best to help people scattered throughout the Monrovia area, focusing particularly on life-saving activities. Medical clinics have been set up in various locations, and an ambulance service is being provided for critical cases.

According to evacuees interviewed by UNHCR staff in Freetown, Sierra Leone, most of the 15,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in Liberia want to leave the country. Some of the returnees said they had witnessed various abuses, including rape, by soldiers. They also said that some Sierra Leoneans were unable to leave because they had become separated from their children and were trying to find them.

The World Food Programme continued to distribute food to displaced persons sheltered in the various parts of the city. About 40 centers have received food and WFP is planning to target food distribution to more than 180,000 people displaced by the fighting.

UN ENVOY FOR IRAQ TO MEET WITH SAUDI CROWN PRINCE

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, will visit Taif, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, where he will meet Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdel Aziz of Saudi Arabia, and other senior officials.

This is part of de Mellos continuing consultations with Iraqs neighbours on current efforts to assist the Iraqi people in creating a stable, democratic and sovereign Iraq, as mandated by UN Security Council resolution 1483 (2003). He intends to visit other neighboring capitals in due course.

De Mello is expected to brief the Security Council in New York on July 22.

Asked about UN involvement in the setting up of governing bodies in Iraq, the Spokesman said that de Mello has been listening to Iraqis at all levels of society and encouraging them to participate in representative government. He noted that there could be an announcement about an Iraqi governing council on Sunday.

Responding to further questions on UN involvement, he noted that the Special Representative was an independent player, who, in accordance with his Security Council mandate, worked closely with the occupying powers and the Iraqi people.

SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES WESTERN SAHARA

The Security Council held consultations on Western Sahara this morning. Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guéhenno briefed on the latest developments. A draft resolution was introduced for further discussion.

Following consultations, the Security Council held a formal meeting during which members unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing a 12-month extension of the NATO Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

WORLD POPULATION DAY PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON YOUTH

Today is World Population Day, and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is drawing attention to the more than one billion people who are between the ages of 10 and 19 the largest youth generation in history. UNFPA Executive Director Thoraiya Obaid said that too many young people suffer severe consequences because they lack access to adequate education and health care.

She noted that more than 70,000 teenage girls are married each day, and nearly 40,000 give birth, adding, For these young women, this means an incomplete education, limited opportunities and serious health risks. Obaid also pointed to the fact that half of all new HIV infections occur among young people.

In a separate message, the Secretary-General said that one in every six people on Earth is an adolescent and that decisions by young people will shape our world and the prospects of future generations. He urged that they be provided with the information and services they need and deserve.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

UNHCR APPEALS FOR FUNDS FOR AFRICA: UNHCR is issuing a special appeal, totalling just over $14 million, to cover unforeseen new developments in seven African countries that have received little international attention. The countries concerned are Chad, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, Rwanda and Republic of the Congo. The problems covered include new displacement, serious flood damage to refugee camps, relocations of threatened refugee groups and on a more positive note two small repatriations.

WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION BECOMES UN SPECIALIZED AGENCY: The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on Thursday, at their 2003 substantive session in Geneva, adopted a resolution in which it recommended to the General Assembly that the World Tourism Organization become a specialized agency of the United Nations, the first new specialized agency to be admitted since 1985.

CYBERSCHOOLBUS TO FEATURE KOREAN AMBASSADOR: The Cyberschoolbus, the UNs global teaching web site, says that Ambassador Kim Sam-hoon of the Republic of Korea, will be the new featured diplomat in their Ask an Ambassador section. Students from around the world will have the opportunity until September 30 to send questions to Ambassador Kim about the Republic of Korea's policies on different global issues. The permanent representatives of Russia, China and Switzerland have already participated in this program.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS Monday, July 14

The Secretary-General plans to travel to Washington to meet with President George W. Bush and his advisers. While in Washington, the Secretary-General also plans to meet with a number of members of Congress and Senators.

The Security Council has scheduled consultations on Sierra Leone.

Tuesday, July 15

The Security Council has scheduled consultations on the Central African Republic.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Peter Hansen is to deliver a message on the Secretary-Generals behalf to a seminar on assistance to the Palestinian people.

Wednesday, July 16

The Security Council has scheduled consultations on the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea and on Somalia.

Thursday, July 17

The Security Council has scheduled an open briefing, followed by consultations, on the Middle East.

Friday, July 18

The Security Council intends to hold a public meeting on the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-weight: Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General

United Nations, S-378

New York, NY 10017

Tel. 212-963-7162 - press/media only

Fax. 212-963-7055

All other inquiries to be addressed to (212) 963-4475 or by e-mail to: inquiries@un.org

United Nations Daily Highlights Directory - Previous Article - Next Article