Asia Pacific

UN official calls for full Asian-Pacific participation in world trade forum

31 March 2003
Making a plea for multilateral cooperation, a senior United Nations official today called for full membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO) by Asian and Pacific states that had yet to join.

Grant to help rid Myanmar of poppy cultivation, UN anti-drug office says

31 March 2003
To support United Nations drug control efforts in one of Myanmar's main opium producing regions, the Government of Japan will provide $1.2 million towards a project expected to contribute to increasing the food security of opium farmers, improving their living standard, and eventually eradicating opium poppy cultivation.
Lakhdar Brahimi

UN envoy condemns murder of relief worker in Afghanistan

30 March 2003
Lakhdar Brahimi, the senior United Nations envoy to Afghanistan, today strongly condemned the "brutal and callous killing" of Ricardo Munguia, a water supply engineer with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) who was killed in the southern part of the country earlier this week.

Annan appalled by brutal murder of Red Cross worker in southern Afghanistan

28 March 2003
Stressing the reprehensible nature of targeting humanitarian workers, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today said he expects authorities in Afghanistan to make every effort to find those responsible for the brutal murder of an aid worker.

Security Council approves 1-year extension for UN mission in Afghanistan

28 March 2003
Recognizing that the United Nations must continue to play its central and impartial role in efforts to assist the Afghan people to consolidate peace and rebuild their country, the Security Council today decided to extend the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another 12 months.

UN teams with EU to boost reproductive health services for Asian youth

28 March 2003
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the European Union have teamed up to support peer counselling and promote HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in seven Asian countries.

Bougainville peace agreement can be implemented by year's end - UN official

28 March 2003
Despite the remaining obstacles, the Bougainville peace agreement can be fully implemented before the end of the year, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, stressing that international support to the island will be more critical than ever.

DPR of Korea: UN welcomes Republic of Korea’s $20 million pledge for relief aid

27 March 2003
Three United Nations agencies today welcomed a pledge of almost $20 million by the Republic of Korean (ROK) for emergency food and health programmes to assist millions of vulnerable people in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

UN seriously concerned local journalist may have been ordered to leave Afghanistan

27 March 2003
The United Nations mission in Afghanistan expressed great concern today as disturbing details emerged following an incident in which an Afghan journalist in Herat was beaten and arrested.

Security sector reform vital to rebuilding of Afghanistan, UN official says

27 March 2003
While Afghanistan had made definite gains over the past year and the Government was determined to take a lead role in rebuilding the country and economy, the persistent lack of security still threatened the peace process at all levels, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today.