United Nations Daily Highlights, 98-10-21

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From: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: [email protected]

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Wednesday, 21 October, 1998

Latest Developments

HEADLINES

• In Tokyo, Secretary-General refutes notion that African renaissance is unrealistic or premature.
• Top United Nations humanitarian official urges parties to conflict in Guinea-Bissau to respect humanitarian law.
• High Commissioner for Human Rights discusses administration of justice with officials in Colombia.
• United Nations and Taliban officials hold talks on return of humanitarian operations to Afghanistan.
• Economic crisis in Asia could hurt environment, United Nations official warns a regional conference in Bangkok.
• United Nations agriculture agency concerned about depletion of world's shark species.

Addressing the second Tokyo International Conference on African Development, the Secretary-General said, "Today I bring a message of hope: hope that we can put to rest inaccurate portrayals and perceptions of Africa; hope that we can consolidate the gains achieved so far; hope that Africa will at long last realize its full potential."

Responding to those who would point to resurgent conflicts in Africa as evidence that the continent was not ready for renewal, the Secretary- General said "conflicts are made -- and can be un- made -- by the force of human will."

Mr. Annan acknowledged that the United Nations could improve on its past performance in the area of development assistance. "But let us not forget the dramatic gains that have already been achieved, in life-expectancy, literacy, the fight against disease and other indicators of well-being," he added.

At the conclusion of the Conference, the Secretary-General said it had provided a boost to Africa's efforts to reform and equip itself to take advantage of the opportunities presented by globalization. "One of the most valuable aspects of this Conference has been the opportunity it provided for dialogue between African and Asian leaders and nations, dialogue that should lead to new understandings about the development process; new directions for South-South cooperation; and new partnerships on the ground, especially with the private sector." Mr. Annan noted that both Africa and Asia would benefit from deepening their ties with each other.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Sergio Vieira de Mello, the Under- Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, also appealed to the belligerents and to the neighbouring countries to facilitate the delivery of urgently-needed humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable populations of Guinea-Bissau.

Mr. de Mello said that he was extremely concerned and disheartened by the resumption of fighting in the country and the collapse of the ceasefire which all parties had largely adhered to for almost three months. "This renewed conflict is having a profound impact on the humanitarian situation in Guinea-Bissau," Mr. de Mello said.

The United Nations official said that many of the over 300,000 internally displaced civilians who had begun to return to their homes in and around Bissau city were once again forced to seek refugee in the interior of the country. He added that this was placing a heavy burden on the rural host communities which had already exhausted most of their resources over the last four months in caring for the displaced. "Furthermore, the fighting will most likely disrupt the harvest, which is currently underway."

On Tuesday, the High Commissioner discussed the administration of justice and the protection of human rights defenders with Colombian authorities and representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

After participating in a seminar on the administration of justice organized by the Andean Commission of Jurists (ACJ), the High Commissioner and the ACJ concluded a cooperation agreement aimed at securing greater respect for international treaties and strengthening national human rights institutions. The agreement, which took immediate effect, also covers education, training and the dissemination of information on human rights.

During a meeting with Colombia's Deputy Attorney-General, Jaime Cordoba, the High Commissioner raised the issue of measures being taken to prosecute human rights violators and eliminate impunity. The two also discussed clashes in jurisdiction between the military courts and ordinary courts, as well as the proposed promulgation of a new penal code.

Later in the day, the High Commissioner participated in a seminar on the protection of human rights defenders. She recalled the importance of supporting and maintaining links with those who often risk everything to be "the voice of the voiceless."

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme, Pino Arlacchi, was also in Colombia, where he was expected to sign an agreement with the country's President on Wednesday. A United Nations spokesman told reporters in New York that a conference on the peace process, which Mr. Arlacchi had been scheduled, to attend was cancelled.

"The talks are taking place in a cordial atmosphere, with both sides expressing a desire that matters be swiftly resolved, paving the way for United Nations international staff to return to the country," Spokesman David Wimhurst told reporters in New York. He added that the talks would continue on Thursday.

According to the Secretary-General's latest report on Afghanistan, all international staff of the United Nations were forced to relocate from the country this summer, partly in response to increased fighting in the northern and central regions.

"The prolonged civil war in Afghanistan, itself a massive humanitarian tragedy, is now threatening to become a regional conflict, and poses a real danger to stability in the region," the Secretary-General observed in that report, which was issued earlier this month. "Together with the endless suffering of the Afghan people, this is a cause of deep concern to me and to the international community at large," he added.

Opening a three-day meeting on the environment and natural resources in Bangkok, Kayuko Mizuta, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia (ESCAP), said that the low growth figures projected by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund for Asian output growth in 1998 did not take into account any environmental considerations and costs. She noted that the climatic anomalies and natural disasters in several parts of Asia during the past year had worsened the economic and social conditions and were related to environmental degradation caused by human action.

The meeting in Bangkok is the first session of the recently set up Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Development. The Committee was established by ESCAP in 1997 as part of a revamped programme designed to increase the responsiveness of the regional body to the environmental challenges facing countries in Asia and the Pacific.

Among the issues that the Committee will discuss during its session between 21 and 23 October are subregional cooperation for environmental programmes, transfer and adoption of environmentally sound technology, development and management of freshwater resources and the development of remote-sensing and space technologies for managing natural resources, natural disasters and the environment.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Wednesday said that many species of sharks were extremely vulnerable to overexploitation because they grow slowly, live long and mature at a late age. FAO added that this, combined with their low fertility, resulted in a low reproductive potential and made sharks susceptible to overfishing. According to FAO, it takes many years for sharks to recover from severe depletion.

FAO said that shark fishing was expanding worldwide as the international trade in shark fins and other exotic shark products grew rapidly. According to FAO, shark fins, which are highly appreciated in oriental cuisine, were one of the most expensive fish products in the world.

The United Nations agency said that the commercial exploitation of sharks had increased dramatically during the past 20 years all over the world and many shark populations were now believed to be endangered. There were indications that of the 100 exploited species, around 20 were vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.

FAO identified the major shark fishing nations as Indonesia, followed by India, the United States, Pakistan, Mexico and Taiwan Province of China. Other important countries are Japan, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Malaysia, France, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Spain, New Zealand and Maldives.

Representatives of about 70 countries, including the major fishing nations, are expected to meet in Rome next week to approve an "International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks," and "International Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries," as well as "Elements of an International Instrument for the Management of Fishing Capacity."

From the United Nations home page at <http://www.un.org> - email: [email protected]

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