Asia Pacific

Secretary-General laments loss of life in Indonesian flash floods

4 November 2003
Secretary-General Kofi Annan sent his condolences today to the many victims of flash floods in Indonesia earlier this week as the United Nations sent staff to the affected area to help coordinate the emergency response.

Annan hopes moves by Sri Lanka leader will not harm peace process

4 November 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today that he hoped the peace process in Sri Lanka would not be harmed by the President's decision to sack three cabinet ministers, temporarily suspend Parliament and order troops to guard key sites.

Annan hails signing of Caspian Sea environmental treaty

4 November 2003
Secretary-General Kofi Annan today hailed the adoption in Iran of a five-nation treaty to protect the fragile environment of the Caspian Sea, the world's largest freshwater lake.

Caspian Sea countries to sign UN-organized environmental treaty

3 November 2003
Five countries bordering the Caspian Sea are meeting today and tomorrow in Iran to sign a treaty negotiated with United Nations support to protect the fragile environment of the world’s largest freshwater lake.
Ambassador Gunter Pleuger

Security Council delegation meets with leaders in western Afghanistan

3 November 2003
The Security Council mission to Afghanistan today completed a daylong visit to the western city of Herat, meeting with senior leaders and civil society for talks on a number of key issues, including peace and security and human rights.

Security Council mission arrives in Afghanistan to back central Government

2 November 2003
A delegation of the United Nations Security Council touched down at Kabul International Airport today bringing a message of support for the country's central Government.
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro

UN human rights observer to make six-day tour of Myanmar

31 October 2003
A United Nations expert will travel to Myanmar next week to assess developments in human rights in the Asian country since his last visit in March.
Ambassador Muñoz briefs journalist

Afghanistan at 'critical juncture', UN sanctions committee chairman says

31 October 2003
The head of a United Nations committee overseeing sanctions against Al-Qaida and the Taliban, just back from a tour of the Middle East and Asia, said today that Afghanistan was at a "critical juncture" in its battle against "enormous challenges and threats."
Food distribution in the DPR of Korea

DPR of Korea faces another tough food year, 6.5 million at risk – UN agencies

30 October 2003
Despite recent improved harvests the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will not have enough food to feed its people next year, putting millions of people at risk, according to two United Nations agencies.

Annan hails news that DPR of Korea, China agree to fresh round of 6-nation talks

30 October 2003
Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed news that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and China have agreed to hold a fresh round of six-nation talks.