Americas

More than 40 per cent of Latin America lives in poverty - UN report

26 August 2003
With progress toward overcoming poor economic conditions grinding to a halt in the past five years, 220 million Latin Americans - more than 40 per cent of the population - were living in poverty by end of 2002 and the figure is set to rise, according to a report released today by the United Nations economic commission for the region.

Outbreak in British Columbia, Canada, is not linked to SARS - WHO

25 August 2003
Following extensive investigations, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today dispelled fears that an outbreak of respiratory illness in an aged care facility in Canada might be linked to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

US Open Tennis championship draw held at UN Headquarters

20 August 2003
The universal appeal of tennis is felt most at the local level, where its impact on rich and poor communities alike can be seen in youngsters developing physical fitness and character, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a message today to a ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to determine the singles pairings for this year's United States Open Tennis Championship.

UN's acting rights chief praises moves by Argentina, Peru to boost civil liberties

18 August 2003
The Acting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has saluted both Argentina and Peru in their respective bids to deal decisively with impunity and strengthen civil liberties and democracy in order to come to terms with painful episodes in their histories.

UN commission forecasts modest economic growth in Latin America, Caribbean

8 August 2003
Latin American and Caribbean countries will enjoy better economic, employment and financial conditions this year, though the recovery will be modest - according to a report released by the United Nations economic commission for the region.

Two UN agencies join forces to fight child hunger in Latin America, Caribbean

8 August 2003
Two United Nations agencies signed a new agreement today to strengthen their cooperation in reducing child malnutrition in Latin American and the Caribbean and to improve the livelihoods of the poorest families in the region.

In Ecuador, UNICEF chief applauds new law to secure children’s welfare

5 August 2003
On the first day of an official visit to Ecuador, the chief of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today praised the country’s new law aimed at improving the lives of boys and girls, and urged authorities to make the necessary budget allocations to enable its full implementation.

Chile’s monkey tree, some dating back to days of Christ, in peril – UN agency

4 August 2003
The United Nations environmental agency today called for urgent action to map and protect the world's wild forests following an “ecological disaster” in Chile, where forests made famous by a television series have been almost destroyed by fire, killing monkey puzzle trees dating from the days of Jesus Christ.