Americas

UN official attends ceremony to mark end of World Trade Centre recovery effort

30 May 2002
A senior United Nations official represented the UN at a solemn ceremony in downtown Manhattan today to mark the end of the recovery effort at the World Trade Center site.

UN welcomes Colombians' resolve in electing candidate of their choice

28 May 2002
Welcoming the fact that the Colombian people were able to exercise their right to vote during Sunday's elections, the United Nations said today it was looking forward to seeing the new leadership's plans for UN involvement in helping to bring about peace.

UN envoy on human rights defenders to visit Guatemala

23 May 2002
A United Nations envoy on human rights activists today announced plans to undertake a fact-finding mission to Guatemala next week.

UN hails forum's declaration defining basis for ecotourism development

23 May 2002
The United Nations environment agency has hailed the strong turnout for the first-ever world conference on ecotourism that has just ended in Canada, saying that it bodes well for the industry's intention to develop in a way that respects fragile ecosystems.

Colombia: UN report blames FARC and paramilitary groups for civilian deaths

22 May 2002
Paramilitary and rebel groups in Colombia are responsible for scores of civilian deaths in the Medio Atrato region of the country, according to a new United Nations report.

Colombia: UN agency voices concern over alleged recruitment of refugee boy soldiers

21 May 2002
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today voiced concern about refugee children being recruited to fight in Colombia, saying it has received reports that illegal armed groups have been recruiting Colombian boys in the border areas of Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela.

Robinson 'regrets' Colombian officials' press attacks on UN rights work

20 May 2002
Reacting to critical media statements by Colombian officials, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has voiced full backing to the work of UN rights experts in the strife-torn Latin American nation.

At World Ecotourism Summit, UN agency highlights sustainability issues

20 May 2002
As the World Ecotourism Summit got under way in Québec City, Canada, over the weekend, the top United Nations environment official hailed the forum's thrust to examine vital issues related to the tourism industry in the context of sustainable development.

Guatemala: UN mission voices concern over increase in army budget

17 May 2002
The United Nations mission in Guatemala today expressed concern that an increase in the army's budget over the limits agreed to in the country's peace accord will divert funds from social development areas.

Deputy Secretary-General meets with Bretton Woods officials in Washington

16 May 2002
Aiming to enhance the ability of the United Nations to meet global development goals, UN Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette held meetings in Washington, D.C., today with senior officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).