Asia Pacific

Seven asylum seekers from DPR of Korea arrive in Seoul

2 July 2001
Seven asylum seekers from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea who had sought help at the United Nations refugee agency's office in Beijing arrived in Seoul over the weekend, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

UN reports success of 'Adopt-A-Minefield' campaign in Afghanistan

2 July 2001
A privately funded effort to remove landmines called "Adopt-a-Minefield" has achieved its best results in Afghanistan, the United Nations announced today.

Republic of Korea to host first ever tobacco-free World Cup, UN health agency says

29 June 2001
South Korea will ensure a tobacco-free 2002 World Cup when the event kicks off on 31 May 2002, which is also the United Nations-designated World 'No Tobacco' Day, the UN health agency announced today.

Despite disagreements over Kyoto, industry acts to fight global warming: UNEP

29 June 2001
Voluntary actions by industry, governments and organizations are leading to small but significant reductions in emissions of global warming gases worldwide, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Energy Council (WEC) said today.

East Timor: head of UN mission delivers first State of the Nation address

28 June 2001
The head of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) today presented the first State of the Nation address to the East Timorese National Council, giving an in-depth overview of the progress to date and the challenges that lie ahead.

Former head of UN agency, Japanese organization receive UN population award

28 June 2001
Secretary-General Kofi Annan today presented the 2001 United Nations Population Award to this year's two winners of the prize - Dr. Nafis Sadik, former Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and to the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning.

Annan says Khmer Rouge trials cannot start until UN-Cambodia MOU is ratified

27 June 2001
Noting recent media statements on the possibility that trials of Khmer Rouge leaders in Cambodia could begin this year, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today that no trials could start until a Memorandum of Understanding between the United Nations and Cambodia is signed and ratified.

East Timor: 16 parties meet deadline to nominate candidates for election, UN says

27 June 2001
Sixteen political parties have nominated candidates to run in the August elections for East Timor's Constituent Assembly, meeting the deadline set for noon local time on Wednesday, UNTAET, the United Nations Transitional Administration in the territory, said today.

UN refugee agency helps Korean family seeking asylum in China

26 June 2001
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is attempting to help a family from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea that requested asylum this morning at the organization's office in Beijing, China.

East Timor: donors pledge aid to newly formed defence force

26 June 2001
A donor conference chaired by the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) ended today in Dili with representatives of 13 countries indicating they will provide continued support to the newly formed East Timor Defence Force (ETDF).