Asia Pacific

Disarmament process stalled in northern Afghanistan, UN mission says

23 January 2003
Weapons collection in northern Afghanistan has stalled due to disagreements between two key factions assisting the multi-party force monitoring the demobilization programme, according to the United Nations mission in the country.

Chronic environmental problems depleting forest resources in South Asia, UN reports

22 January 2003
South Asia suffers from excessive land degradation, desertification and habitat fragmentation, depleting the wide variety of forest products that are an important source of food, medicine and income for indigenous people, according to a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Maurice Strong

Aid pipeline to millions in DPR of Korea 'drying up,' UN envoy warns

22 January 2003
The aid pipeline on which six million to eight million people in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) depend is drying up, a United Nations envoy who just returned from that country warned today.

China: UN agency seeks access to 48 asylum seekers from DPR of Korea

21 January 2003
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has asked the Government of China for access to a group of 48 asylum seekers from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) arrested on Saturday.

DPR of Korea: UN envoy to report on talks with senior government officials

20 January 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special adviser, Maurice Strong, has returned to Beijing after four days of talks with senior officials in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

UN agency in talks with Sri Lanka government, rebels on refugee returns

17 January 2003
Officials from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have been meeting with representatives of the Government of Sri Lanka and Tamil Tiger rebel leaders this week to determine a possible role in returning an initial group of over 100,000 internally displaced Tamils, the UN agency said today.

UN agency takes over food distribution to Afghan refugees in Pakistan

17 January 2003
Signalling what may be a major push to streamline humanitarian aid delivery schemes worldwide, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today took over from the UN's refugee agency responsibility for providing food to Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
UN Security Council in session

Security Council improves Al-Qaida sanctions regime

17 January 2003
Stressing the obligation of all States to work together urgently to prevent and suppress terrorist acts, the United Nations Security Council moved unanimously today to improve implementation of the sanctions regime imposed on Usama bin Laden, Al-Qaida, the Taliban and their associates.
Hans Corell and Sok An of Cambodia speak to press

UN, Cambodia wrap up exploratory talks on special court for Khmer Rouge

14 January 2003
The United Nations and Cambodia have wrapped up exploratory talks in New York on the establishment of a special court to try former Khmer Rouge leaders for crimes against humanity.

DPR of Korea: Annan sees signs diplomatic solution is possible

14 January 2003
Although recent statements by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on its nuclear programme pose a "grave" threat to peace and security, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today said he remained optimistic that a diplomatic solution to the crisis could be found.