United Nations Daily Highlights, 07-10-04

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

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY MICHELE MONTAS

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

Thursday, October 4, 2007

BAN KI-MOON

WELCOMES INTER-KOREAN PEACE DECLARATION

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

welcomes the

Declaration on the Advancement of South-North Korean Relations, Peace and

Prosperity, signed in Pyongyang today by the leaders of the Democratic

Peoples Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea as a major step forward

to enhance inter-Korean cooperation as well as peace and security on the

Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.

The Secretary-General commends the two leaders commitment to expand and

advance inter-Korean relations, as well as to move towards permanent peace on

a non-nuclear Peninsula through increased bilateral dialogue, cooperation and

multilateral diplomacy including the six-party talks.

The United Nations stands ready to provide assistance as may be required,

in cooperation with the international community.

U.N. ENVOY GAMBARI RETURNS FROM MISSION TO MYANMAR

Ibrahim Gambari, the Secretary-Generals Special Advisor, is scheduled to

meet with the Secretary-General at 5:00 this afternoon to provide a briefing

about his visit to Myanmar.

Gambari intends to inform the President of the General Assembly and the

members of the Security Council about his visit tomorrow.

The Secretary-General,

speaking to

reporters yesterday about Gambaris visit to Myanmar, said that his envoy was

assured of his second visit in November sometime.

Asked whether he was satisfied with the results of Gambaris visit, the

Secretary-General said, We are doing what we must do. And I was relatively

relieved that he was, first of all, able to meet with the leaders of the

Myanmar Government as well as Madame Aung San Suu Kyi. But he expressed his

continuing concerns about the ongoing situation in Myanmar, including the

human rights situation.

The Secretary-General noted the strong statement made by the Association

of South-east Asian Nations on Myanmar, and underscored ASEANs collective

responsibility on the matter.

Yesterday a UN Development Programme (UNDP) staffer, as well as her

husband and two relatives, was arrested by the Myanmar authorities. That staff

member and her family members were released to UNDP today at 16:30 local time.

Meanwhile, the Security Council has scheduled consultations at 3:00 this

afternoon, in connection with Myanmar. Council members are considering the

timing and format of Ibrahim Gambaris briefing on Myanmar tomorrow.

Asked about reports from Myanmar state media concerning the results of the

discussions between senior leader Than Shwe and Gambari, the Spokeswoman

declined to comment until Gambari reports on his trip.

Asked about the arrest of the UNDP staffer, the Spokeswoman reiterated

that she had been arrested early Wednesday morning during a sweep of a

neighbourhood in Yangon. She added that the staff member and all those

arrested with her had been released.

DIVERSITY IS A VIRTUE, BAN KI-MOON TELLS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The Secretary-General this morning

addressed the

General Assemblys High-Level Dialogue on Inter-Religious and Intercultural

Understanding and Cooperation for Peace.

In his remarks, he said it is time to promote the idea that diversity is a

virtue, not a threat. It is time to explain that different religions, belief

systems and cultural backgrounds are essential to the richness of the human

experience. And it is time to stress that our common humanity is greater than

our outward differences, he added.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION HELPS IRAQ FIGHT CHOLERA

The World Health Organization (WHO)

reports that

cholera is continuing to spread across Iraq.

Because poor water quality and sanitation are known to spread cholera

contamination, WHO is procuring five million water-treatment tablets for

Iraqis. It is also sending epidemiologists to help Iraqs Ministry of Health.

WHO reports that more than 3,000 people have tested positive for cholera,

and 14 have died.

DARFUR MISSIONS TROOP-CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES TO MEET TODAY

This afternoon at 3 p.m. at UN Headquarters, there will be a meeting of the troop and police contributing countries for the African Union-Untied Nations hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID).

Then, at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow at UN Headquarters, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guéhenno and Jane Holl Lute, acting head of the Department of Field Services, are expected to brief the press.

D.R. CONGO: U.N. MISSION HELPS EVACUATE PLANE CRASH SITE

The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) has confirmed news reports that a commercial aircraft crashed in a popular residential area of the capital Kinshasa earlier this morning.

The latest update from the Mission indicates that 25 people have been killed in the crash. Many have been injured, and efforts continue to ascertain their number.

The Mission is providing fire-fighting equipment and is helping with the evacuation of victims from the site of the crash. UN humanitarian agencies remain on site to provide further assistance. UN photographers are helping to document the extent of the damage, and other UN staff will assist Congolese authorities in the investigation they are launching into the accident.

LIBERIA IS ELIGIBLE FOR PEACE-BUILDING FUNDS

The Secretary-General has declared Liberia eligible to receive funding from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund. He has also instructed the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to begin consultations with Liberian authorities and local civil society partners to draw up a priority plan.

That plan is expected to list up key activities to push forward the consolidation of peace in Liberia the fifth country declared eligible for assistance from the Peacebuilding Fund.

U.N. APPEALS FOR $10 MILLION TO HELP FLOOD SURVIVORS IN GHANA

The United Nations and its partners are

seeking nearly $10 million to fund flood relief efforts for 75,000 people in northern Ghana.

Entire communities along the Black and White Volta Rivers have been hit by persistent flooding since late August. Crops have been destroyed, and food storage and processing facilities are currently underwater.

The funds will be used to provide health services, temporary shelter and basic household items.

TOURISM SECTOR MUST ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE

The UN-organized second International Conference on Climate Change and Tourism has wrapped up in Davos, Switzerland. Participants included government ministers, environmental experts, and tourism officials. They ended the session by issuing a Davos Declaration.

That Declaration urges the entire tourism sector to address climate change by: reducing its own greenhouse gas emissions, especially from transport and accommodation; adapting tourism businesses and destinations to changing climate conditions; and securing financial help for poor regions and countries.

SOUTH & SOUTHEAST ASIA MOST POPULAR INVESTMENT CHOICES

The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) launched its World Investment Prospects Survey for 20072009 in Geneva today.

According to the study, more than two-thirds of multinational companies believe their foreign investment will grow over the next three years, despite some concerns about global financial and political instability and protectionism in some countries.

According to the survey, South and Southeast Asia will remain the most popular investment choices for multinationals, with the United States being the third most favored location in the world.

Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

United Nations, S-378

New York, NY 10017

Tel. 212-963-7162

Fax. 212-963-7055

to the Spokesperson's Page

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