Asia Pacific

Welcoming Karzai, Security Council vows support for Afghanistan’s recovery

30 January 2002
Extending a warm welcome to the new Afghan leader, Hamid Karzai, the United Nations Security Council today voiced its “unqualified and unreserved support” to his quest for peace, justice and stability in Afghanistan and pledged to help in the reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.

Security Council reviews preparations for East Timor independence

30 January 2002
With just over 100 days remaining before East Timor's independence, the Security Council today held a day-long meeting to review preparations in the territory for nationhood, including work on a constitution and plans for a successor mission to the current United Nations Transitional Administration (UNTAET).

UN rights committee to adopt statement supporting Afghan women

30 January 2002
Seeking to express their solidarity with the women of Afghanistan, a United Nations committee will adopt a formal statement on the important role they should play in the country's reconstruction, the body's chairperson said today.
Lakhdar Brahimi

Afghanistan: Brahimi addresses panel laying groundwork for Emergency Loya Jirga

29 January 2002
The United Nations top envoy in Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, today addressed the first session of the special panel in charge of preparations for convening the Emergency Loya Jirga, which will decide on a transitional government until democratic elections can be held.

WFP chief arrives in Afghanistan to review food agency's aid operations

29 January 2002
The head of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) arrived in Kabul today for a three-day visit to Afghanistan to review the agency's relief operations in a country devastated by years of war and drought.

Afghanistan: security concerns outside Kabul hamper UN aid effort

28 January 2002
While security in the Afghan capital of Kabul has improved, other regions continue to experience crime and lawlessness, impeding the delivery of badly needed aid, a United Nations spokesperson said today.

Afghanistan's interim leader set to attend UN Security Council on Wednesday

28 January 2002
The head of the Afghan Interim Administration, Hamid Karzai, is expected to visit United Nations headquarters on Wednesday to attend a formal meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan, a UN spokesman said today.
Kofi Annan with President Khatami

Afghanistan, Middle East top agenda of Annan's talks with leaders in Iran, Qatar

28 January 2002
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today arrived in Vienna following a weekend of talks with the leaders of Iran and Qatar on topics ranging from support for Afghanistan's new interim administration to the worsening situation in the Middle East.

In Kabul, Annan meets Afghan citizens, thanks UN staff members for their work

25 January 2002
Conducting his first-ever visit to Afghanistan, the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, today heard the concerns of ordinary citizens seeking to rebuild their war-ravaged country, and thanked UN staff members, especially Afghans, for their assistance in this endeavour.
Kofi Annan and Chairman Hamid Karzai at press conference

On historic visit to Afghanistan, Annan pledges support for war-weary nation

25 January 2002
Paying a historic visit to Afghanistan – the first one for a United Nations leader in the past 40 years – Secretary-General Kofi Annan today brought a message of support to the war-weary people as he met with the Afghan leadership to discuss UN efforts to help with the country’s political transition and economic recovery.