Asia Pacific

Conducive environment for Afghan elections still does not exist – Annan

31 July 2003
While the peace accord leading to elections in Afghanistan next year is largely on track despite considerable obstacles, a conducive environment still does not exist and the international community must address the threat of insecurity in the country for several years to come, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s says in his latest report.

Only multilateral cooperation can solve challenges of present age – Annan

30 July 2003
Hailing the first-ever meeting of Asian and African regional organizations as a real opportunity “to build a strategic bridge across the Indian Ocean,” United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called for multilateral cooperation as the only way of meeting the challenges of the present age.

With peace talks faltering, Annan urges Nepalese parties to find lasting end to conflict

30 July 2003
With peace talks between the Government and the Maoist group in Nepal faltering, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today encouraged the parties to continue efforts to find an enduring solution to the conflict.

UN Assembly President says Timor-Leste heading in ‘right direction’

30 July 2003
The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Jan Kavan, ended his tour of Timor-Leste today, saying he was “personally convinced” the tiny island-nation – the world’s first in the new millennium – was heading in the right direction.

UN University, UNESCO host Tokyo forum on globalization

30 July 2003
The United Nations University (UNU) in Tokyo today teamed with the world body’s cultural heritage agency and leading development experts to kick off an international conference to explore ways to make globalization work for the benefit of all humankind.
Refugees returning from Pakistan's Katcha Garhi camp

300,000 Afghan refugees have returned home so far this year with UN help

29 July 2003
The United Nations refugee agency has helped more than 300,000 Afghans return home from Pakistan and Iran so far this year, but the rate is far below last year’s unprecedented flow, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said today.

Arab ministers at UN-backed meeting voice concern over stalled trade talks

25 July 2003
Arab ministers gathered in Beirut ended their United Nations-backed meeting today expressing concern with the lack of progress in talks since the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) last ministerial conference, in Doha, Qatar, in 2001, and voiced dissatisfaction that developed countries have not fulfilled the promises they gave in previous negotiation rounds.

Top UN official on HIV/AIDS to address over 1,000 political leaders in India

25 July 2003
The top United Nations official on HIV/AIDS will address tomorrow over 1,000 political leaders from every part of India, expected to convene for the first time ever in New Delhi for a national convention where they will sign a declaration underlining their personal commitment to fight the pandemic.

On 50th anniversary of Korean armistice, Annan urges resolution to nuclear issue

25 July 2003
Marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Korean War’s truce agreement, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan stresses that resolving the conflict, and the related nuclear and security issues, should remain a top priority.
Afghan farmer preparing his field

Afghanistan set for biggest wheat crop in two decades – UN agency

24 July 2003
Afghanistan, where 85 per cent of the population depends on agriculture and chronic under-nutrition remains a major problem, is about to harvest its biggest wheat crop in two decades due in part to help from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the agency said today.