Asia Pacific

Role of women in city government highlighted at mayors' conference in Thailand

19 June 2001
Asian and Pacific countries would be much cleaner, healthier and friendlier if women had an equal decision-making role in local government, the head of the United Nations office in the region said today.

Afghanistan: UN agency reaches accord with Taliban to resume bakeries project

18 June 2001
An agreement reached in talks with the Taliban has allowed the United Nations to resume a major food distribution project which benefits some 282,000 people in Kabul, Afghanistan, a UN spokesman announced today.

Secretary-General welcomes release of political detainees in Myanmar

15 June 2001
Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed the recent release of a number of political detainees in Myanmar and stressed the need to pursue national reconciliation talks between the Government and the opposition.

Disturbed at reported attacks in Afghanistan, Annan urges international response

15 June 2001
Secretary-General Kofi Annan reacted with dismay today to reported attacks against civilians in Afghanistan and urged the international community to explore ways to prevent further rights violations there.

Over 90 per cent of East Timorese registered for election: UN mission

15 June 2001
Nearly 91 per cent -- more than 738,000 people -- of East Timor's population had been registered for the upcoming elections in the Territory, the United Nations mission in East Timor announced today.

Afghanistan: UN holds talks with Taliban to keep bakeries aid project running

14 June 2001
Talks between the United Nations and the Taliban aimed at forestalling the possible closure of a key UN food project in Afghanistan are now under way and could run through tomorrow, according to a UN relief official.

East Timor: UN mission chief calls for funds in final stretch before independence

14 June 2001
The head of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) today urged donors meeting in Australia to contribute generously to the UN operation to help it in preparing the territory for full independence.

East Timor: over 30 suspected militia surrender to UN peacekeepers

13 June 2001
A security operation conducted by United Nations peacekeepers in East Timor has resulted in the surrender of 34 suspected militia members in the eastern part of the territory, the UN Transitional Administration (UNTAET) said today in Dili.

Afghanistan: donation from Germany will boost UN efforts to help poor farmers

13 June 2001
United Nations efforts to help farming families affected by drought in Afghanistan will get an infusion of badly needed funds with the contribution of $232,000 announced by the Government of Germany, the UN said today.

East Timor: UN lauds move to dissolve CNRT resistance organization

11 June 2001
Sergio Vieira de Mello, the head of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), has called the dissolution of the East Timor resistance umbrella organization CNRT a difficult and painful decision, but a "politically courageous, wise and timely one."