Strengthened global economic recovery indicated by UN Economic Survey of Europe 15 December 2003
There are increasing indications of a strengthening global economic recovery during 2003. This is reflected in improved business and consumer confidence, favourable profit expectations in international equity markets and rising indicators for industrial and services activity, as emphasized in the Economic Survey of Europe just released by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
Weather Related Natural Disasters in 2003 Cost the World Billions 15 December 2003
Natural disasters, the lion’s share of which were weather-related catastrophes, cost the world over $60 billion in 2003 up from around $55 billion the year before. The high economic losses, highlighted in a report by experts with the Finance Initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are part of a worrying trend that is being linked with climate change.
The UN Secretary-General lecture on global ethics “Do We Still Have Universal Values?”, Tuebingen University, Germany, 12 December 2003 12 December 2003
The values of peace, freedom, social progress, equal rights and human dignity,
enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and in the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights, are no less valid today than when, over half a century ago,
those documents were drafted by representatives of many different nations and
cultures. And they were not any more fully realised in actual human conduct at
that time than they are now.
World population in 2300 to be around nine billion, according to UN projections 10 December 2003
The Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) of the United Nations released on 9 December 2003 its new projections of world population in the year 2300. These new long-range results are groundbreaking in two respects: they extend the time horizon to 2300 (previous long-range projections were to 2150) and they include country forecasts (previously, long-range projections were available by continent only). Such long-reaching projections are needed by environmental scientists, policy makers and others who assess the long-term implications of demographic trends.
Message of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Human Rights Day, 10 December 2003 10 December 2003
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has served as a beacon of hope for our
world for fifty-five years. So have the brave men and women who defend human
rights in every country. Today, I wish to pay tribute to their commitment and
their courage.
World Health Organization and UNAIDS unveil plan to get 3 million AIDS patients on treatment by 2005 08 December 2003 | WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS released a detailed and concrete plan to reach the 3 by 5 target of providing antiretroviral treatment to three million people living with AIDS in developing countries and those in transition by the end of 2005. This is a vital step towards the ultimate goal of providing universal access to AIDS treatment to all those who need it.
Global Environment Facility approves $224 million in grants for 19 projects to improve global environment 01 December 2003 | UNDP
The Council of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) approved today $224 million in grants for 19 new projects in developing countries and countries with economies in transition -- including initiatives that promote the growth of markets for highly efficient fuel cells, provide financial assistance for environmentally-friendly small and medium-sized businesses, and support a newly signed treaty to protect the world’s largest natural lake.
Failing health systems in Eastern Europe 17 November 2003 | ILO
More than a decade after the fall of the Berlin Wall, healthcare in many former East bloc states has been corroded to the point of near collapse, threatening an increasingly vulnerable population.But according to a new publication just out from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Public Services International (PSI)*, not only patients are at risk.
On 16 November 1995, the date of the fiftieth
anniversary of the Organization, the Member States of UNESCO adopted a
Declaration of Principles on Tolerance in which they affirmed that tolerance is
neither concession nor indulgence but rather respect and appreciation of the
rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of
being human.
“Study Abroad 2004-2005”guide just published 27 October 2003
Some 2,600 higher education institutions in 147 countries are listed in the latest edition of “Study Abroad 2004-2005”, which has just been released by UNESCO Publishing.
UNESCO adopts international Declaration on Human Genetic Data 21 October 2003
With the Declaration, human genetic data now have their own standard-setting instrument, laying down the ethical principles that should govern their collection, processing, storage and use.
Message of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the occasion of the World Food Day, 16 October 2003 16 October 2003
Despite the extraordinary technological and agricultural advances of the modern era, the ancient and most basic affliction of hunger is still with us. Every day, 840 million people do not have enough to eat. In South Asia, one person in four goes hungry. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the proportion is as high as one in three.
Joint Message on the Occasion of the World Teachers' Day, 5 October 2003 03 October 2003
Ask any parent to name the most important element of her or his child’s education and chances are that the answer you will receive will be “good teachers.” While new technologies and new subject areas are rushing into the foreground of the educational process, these can only be used appropriately by students through the guidance of good teachers.
Message of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the International Day of Older Persons 01 October 2003
Over the next few decades, older persons will form an increasingly large and important presence in communities and societies everywhere. And yet, until recently, little attention had been paid to how we can best use the skills of older persons in development.
General Assembly opens 58th session with plea for multilateralism and reform 16 September 2003
The United Nations General Assembly opened its 58th annual session with a minute of silence for staff killed in the terrorist attack in Baghdad, a pledge to persevere in the speedy restoration of sovereignty to the Iraqi people, a promise to pursue the benefits of multilateralism embodied by the world organization and a plea for reform.
Air pollution cuts help forests recover 08 September 2003
The latest report on forest condition in Europe indicates that drastic reductions in sulphur emissions have led to decreasing concentrations of sulphur in the needles of Norway spruce and Scots pine.
Microcredit and microfinance are important poverty reduction tools 05 September 2003
Microcredit and other financial services for poor people are important instruments for poverty reduction and for empowerment, especially for women, according to a report prepared by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan for the upcoming General Assembly session.
UN panel considers respect for rule of law in battle against terrorism 29 July 2003
The challenge of respecting the rule of law while fighting terrorism, the urgency of combating poverty in order to promote basic human rights and the need to eliminate injustices against women are high on the agenda of a United Nations rights panel that opened its annual three-week meeting in Geneva
Annan launches new UN-private sector alliance to fight poverty, AIDS, illiteracy 28 July 2003 | UNDP
Calling it a task of “crucial importance,” United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan launched a new partnership with the global private sector aimed at achieving targets set at the 2000 Millennium Summit to halve extreme poverty, halt the spread of HIV/AIDS and provide universal primary education by 2015.
UN treaty on the rights of migrant workers enters into force 04 July 2003 | ILO
The United Nations international treaty on the rights of migrant workers and their families came into force on 1 July, a landmark in global efforts to protect people who – separated from their countries of origin – have historically fallen through the cracks of the international legal system.
“Water: Two Billion People are Dying for It!” 04 June 2003
The theme of World Environment Day 2003 — “Water: Two Billion People are Dying for It!”–
highlights the centrality of water to human survival and sustainable
development.
The UN Commission on Human Rights adopted resolutions on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Cuba, Turkmenistan, North Korea and Belarus 18 April 2003
On 17 April 2003 the UN Commission on Human Rights completed voting on the draft resolutions and decisions under agenda item 9 “Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world”. The Commission adopted resolutions on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Cuba, Turkmenistan, North Korea and Belarus (see the text). Draft resolutions on the situation of human rights in the Republic of Chechnya, Zimbabwe and Sudan did not pass.
Despite threats, world should see 2003 as year of new opportunities, Annan says 14 January 2003
Despite numerous
challenges around the world, 2003 can be a year of opportunity for the
international community, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today
at his first official press conference of the year at UN Headquarters in New
York.
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