06 July 2009 | 11 July - World Population Day
UN Secretary–General Message
In the midst of the worst global economic crisis in generations, we must find the most effective ways to continue progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.  There is no better path than the focus of this year’s World Population Day: investing in women and girls.

29 June 2009 | Speech by Mr. Antonius Broek, UNDP Resident Representative, at the opening of the eco-educational center on the premises of the Sporovsky Reserve
Dear Mr. Deputy Minster of Environment, Dear Deputy Minister of Sport and Tourism, Dear Honored Guests, Friends and Colleagues,
I’m glad to be here today to open the ecological centre in the Sporovsky reserve. This opening ceremony crowns a joint effort of UNDP, the Ministry of Environment of Belarus, the local authorities and the local people devoted to conservation and sustainable use of the unique Polesie wetlands. 

05 June 2009 | Message of the Secretary-General on World Environment Day
The economic and financial turmoil sweeping the globe is a true wake–up call, sounding an alarm about the need to improve upon old patterns of growth and make a transition to a new era of greener, cleaner development.  The theme of this year’s World Environment Day – “Your planet needs you” – is meant to inspire all of us to do our part.

26 May 2009 | Message of the Secretary-General on the International Day of Peacekeepers
The international community’s reliance on United Nations peacekeeping continues to deepen.  Deployment is at a record high, with the number of troops, civilians and police totaling more than 113,000. The personnel who serve under the UN flag do so in some of the most difficult and inhospitable areas on earth, where they face instability, disease and violence on a daily basis.

21 May 2009 | International Day for Biological Diversity, 22 May 2009
Message of the UN Secretary-General Ban-ki-Moon
The global decline in biodiversity remains alarming, despite agreement at the World Summit on Sustainable Development to significantly reduce the rate of loss by 2010.  The main causes include deforestation, changes in habitat and land degradation, often linked to the growing impact of climate change.  Another threat – the focus of this year’s observance of the International Day for Biological Diversity – is the spread of invasive alien species.

14 May 2009 | Message of the Secretary-General on the International Day of Families
This year’s International Day of Families, being commemorated under the theme, “Mothers and Families: Challenges in a Changing World,” focuses on the important role of mothers for families and communities around the world. Mothers play a critical role in the family, which is a powerful force for social cohesion and integration. The mother–child relationship is vital for the healthy development of children. And mothers are not only caregivers; they are also breadwinners for their families.

06 May 2009 | Secretary-General's remarks to Member States on Influenza A (H1N1)
At a time of global concern about a new strain of influenza — A (H1N1) — it is necessary and right that the United Nations comes together to discuss what is happening. People the world over are worried about the health of their friends, families and children. Today our thoughts must be with all the communities that have been touched by the virus. In particular, our hearts go out to those where there has been loss of life.

16 February 2009 | The Secretary-General Message on Social Justice Day, 20 February 2009
Social justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. We uphold the principles of social justice when we promote gender equality or the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants.  We advance social justice when we remove barriers that people face because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability.

29 January 2009 | UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's plenary speech at World Economic Forum on "The Global Compact: Creating Sustainable Markets"
It is a pleasure to be with you again in Davos.
This is my second visit as Secretary–General, and I must say that the mood is very different from the optimistic spirit of the past. I've been calling this the year of multiple crises. Economies are in trouble. Trust in business and in markets has eroded.

26 January 2009 | Speech by Mr. Antonius Broek, UNDP Resident Representative, at the opening of the Training centre at the TB Institute
Today I am pleased to open the first of its kind educational and training centre on TB issues at the national TB institute. The idea of the centre comes back to the development of the application to the Global Fund in Rounds 5 and 6 and the intention of Belarusto have a solid base for training of its TB control staff in new methods of TB detection and treatment.

26 January 2009 | Secretary-General message on International Day of Commemoration in Memory of Victims of Holocaust - 27 January 2009
Today we remember the millions of victims of the Nazis — nearly one third of the Jewish people and countless other minorities — who suffered atrocious acts of discrimination, deprivation, cruelty and murder. New initiatives in Holocaust remembrance and education have given us an authentic basis for hope.  That hope is the theme of this year’s observance.

09 December 2008 | The Secretary-General message on Human Rights Day, 10 December 2008
On this Human Rights Day, we also celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Drafted amid utter destruction and destitution following the Second World War, the Declaration reflects humanity’s aspirations for a future of prosperity, dignity and peaceful coexistence.

03 December 2008 | Message of the Secretary-General on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
This year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities falls just a week before the 60^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  The United Nations is commemorating both under the theme, “Dignity and justice for all of us”.

14 October 2008 | Message of the Secretary-General on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
The theme of this year’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty – “Human Rights and Dignity of People Living in Poverty” – recalls the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 60 years ago. The Declaration affirms that “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well–being of himself and of his family”.

06 October 2008 | World Habitat Day
The theme of this year’s World Habitat Day is “harmonious cities”.  Our rapidly urbanizing world cannot claim to be harmonious if slum–dwellers do not enjoy opportunities to find jobs and improve their living conditions.  Nor will it be harmonious if the growth and expansion of urban areas comes at the expense of the natural environment.

05 August 2008 | Message of the Secretary-General for International Youth Day, 12 August 2008
Though the science of climate change is complex, the facts are simple: our world is heading towards trouble.  I saw this last year when I visited the Antarctic, where age–old ice is melting much faster than we originally thought it would.  Left unaddressed, climate change could cause an unravelling of the progress that has been made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and could also have serious implications for peace and security.

08 July 2008 | Message of the Secretary-General on World Population Day, 11 July 2008
Forty years ago, world leaders proclaimed that individuals have a basic right to determine freely and responsibly the number and timing of their children.  Millennium Development Goal 5, improving maternal health, affirms this right and yet shows the least progress to date.  On World Population Day, let us focus on the critical importance of family planning if we are to successfully achieve the Millennium Development Goals.  

26 June 2008 | UN Secretary-General Message on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
Ten years ago, in response to the seriousness of the world drug problem, Member States of the United Nations convened a Special Session of the General Assembly, where they committed themselves to a vigorous plan of action to reduce both the supply and demand for drugs. 

18 June 2008 | The Secretary-General message for World Refugee Day
Intolerance, political breakdown and war have long, pernicious histories.  Yet the fragility of political systems, the devolution of societies into catastrophic violence have also provoked a humane reply, the protection of those forced to flee their countries in escape from persecution.

11 June 2008 | ILO Director-General calls for urgent measures to address a “globalization without social justice”
GENEVA (ILO News) – Citing growing global imbalances in wages, jobs and productivity, Juan Somavia, Director–General of the International Labour Organization said today counter measures were urgently needed to head off what he called a “globalization without social justice”.
 

20 May 2008 | The Secretary-General message on the 60-th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping, 29 May 2008
This year, the annual International Day of UN Peacekeepers also marks the 60^th anniversary of UN peacekeeping. Six decades ago today, the Security Council established our first peacekeeping mission. Most of the peacekeepers came from a handful of European and American countries and they were mostly unarmed military men observing and monitoring cease–fire lines.

02 May 2008 | The Secretary-General message on World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2008
From the education of the youngest members of society to the full public engagement of citizens with their political leadership, access to information empowers each one of us to transform our lives and our communities. Just as water is essential for life to grow, knowledge sustains our capacity to imagine and to change. When information flows freely, people are equipped with tools to take control of their lives. When the flow of information is hindered -- whether for political or technological reasons -- our capacity to function is stunted.

04 April 2008 | The Secretary-General Message on World Health Day, 7 April 2008
Climate change is sometimes debated as if it affected only the planet, and not the people living on it. This year’s World Health Day is an opportunity to broaden this view by spotlighting the major health threats we face as a result of global warming.

21 March 2008 | The Secretary General message on World Water Day
This year, World Water Day coincides with the International Year of Sanitation, challenging us to spur action on a crisis affecting more than one out of three people on the planet. Every 20 seconds, a child dies as a result of the abysmal sanitation conditions endured by some 2.6 billion people globally. That adds up to an unconscionable 1.5 million young lives cut short by a cause we know well how to prevent.

07 March 2008 | The Secretary-General message on International Women's Day
At the 2005 World Summit, Governments of all nations agreed that “progress for women is progress for all”. Yet the 10–year review of the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action revealed a serious gap between policy and practice in many countries. A lack of political will is reflected in the most telling way of all: lack of resources and insufficient budgetary allocations. That is why the theme of this International Women’s Day is “Investing in Women and Girls”.

18 December 2007 | Statement by the Secretary-General on the International Migrants Day, 18 December 2007
Today marks the eighth International Migrants Day, an occasion that grows more meaningful with each passing year. Globalization and the growing disparities in living conditions within and among States are combining to increase the scale of cross–border migration worldwide.

07 December 2007 | Secretary-General Ban Ki moon message on Human Rights Day, 10 December
On this Human Rights Day, we launch a year–long commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  The entire UN family will take part in a campaign to promote the Declaration's ideals and principles of justice and equality for everyone. 

03 December 2007 | Secretary-General message on the International Day of Disabled Persons, 3 December 2007
This year’s International Day of Disabled Persons focuses on the goal of decent work for persons with disabilities, and reminds us that every person deserves opportunities for productive employment inconditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.

29 November 2007 | Secretary-General message on World AIDS Day, 1 December 2007
AIDS is a disease unlike any other. It is a social issue, a human rights issue, an economic issue. It targets young adults just as they should be contributing to economic development, intellectual growth, and bringing up young children. It is taking a disproportionate toll on women. It has made millions of children orphans. It does to society what HIV does to the human body — reduces resilience and weakens capacity, hampers development and threatens stability.

28 November 2007 | Climate Change and Development: The central challenge of our time
Imagine that a huge asteroid is hurtling towards Earth. Scientists tell us that there is a ten percent chance of a collision in 10 years and the consequences of its impact will be catastrophic. Your government advises you not to panic and reminds you that there is a 90 percent chance that the asteroid will miss the Earth. Do you decide not to worry, or do you demand that your government mobilizes all of the resources at its disposal to eliminate the risk?

16 November 2007 | The Secretary-General message on International Day for Tolerance, 16 November 2007
In 1995, when UNESCO proclaimed 16 November the annual International Day for Tolerance, it listed no fewer than 16 covenants, declarations, conventions and recommendations, all of them relating to the need for tolerance.  All of them remain relevant today, and all of them have yet to be fully respected. 

23 October 2007 | The Secretary-General Message on United Nations Day, 24 October 2007
The world is changing in the United Nations’ favour – as more people and Governments understand that multilateralism is the only path in our interdependent and globalizing world. Global problems demand global solutions – and going it alone is not a viable option. Whether we are speaking of peace and security, development, or human rights, demands on our Organization are growing every day.

09 October 2007 | The Secretary-General message on World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2007
Culture and diversity influence many aspects of mental health. First, culture determines what is seen as “normal” and “abnormal” within a given society. Culture also affects how individuals manifest and communicate symptoms, styles of coping, family and community support and willingness to seek treatment. Likewise, the cultures of clinicians and service provision influence the nature of health system services.

01 October 2007 | The Secretary-General message on the occasion of World Habitat Day, 1 October 2007
We are at the dawn of a new urban era. Half of humanity now live in towns and cities. It is estimated that by 2030, two–thirds of the world’s people will be urban dwellers. At this turning point in human history, surveys show that crime in urban areas is on the rise everywhere. And fear of crime is one of the most influential factors shaping our daily lives. In too many cities around the world, it dictates where we choose to live, shop, work and play.

01 October 2007 | The Secretary-General message on the first observance of the International Day of Non-violence, 2 October 2007
The United Nations was created in the hope that humanity could not only end wars, it could eventually make them unnecessary. Our founders hoped that the Organization could help stop violence by spreading a culture of peace, promoting tolerance and advancing human dignity.

01 October 2007 | The Secretary-General message on the International Day of Older Persons, 1 October 2007
The theme of this year’s International Day of Older Persons focuses our attention on the challenges and opportunities of ageing. Population ageing brings significant economic and social challenges, for developed and developing countries alike. Sobering statistics show that some 80 per cent of the world’s population are not covered by social protection in old age.

20 September 2007 | Message of the UN Secretary-General for the International Day of Peace, 21 September 2007
"Peace is one of humanity’s most precious needs. It is also the UN’s highest calling. It defines our mission. It drives our discourse. And it draws together all of our world wide work, from peacekeeping and preventive diplomacy to promoting human rights and development. This work for peace is vital. But it is not easy. Indeed, in countless communities across the world, peace remains an elusive goal."

14 September 2007 | The Secretary-General message on the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, 16 September 2007
"The battle to repair the ozone layer represents one of the great success stories of international cooperation. Levels of ozone–damaging substances in our atmosphere are falling. And initial signs suggest that the vital shield protecting us from the sun’s deadly ultraviolet radiation is regenerating."

07 September 2007 | The Secretary-General Message on International Literacy Day, 8 September 2007
"The theme of this year’s International Literacy Day – health and literacy – highlights the crucial role of literacy in promoting better health conditions worldwide. There are many important links between literacy and health. Literacy skills and practices are powerful instruments enabling women and men to develop the necessary capacities and self–confidence for improved health."

10 August 2007 | Message by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for International Youth Day, 12 August 2007
International Youth Day is an annual opportunity to recognize the world’s 1.2 billion young people, to celebrate their achievements, and to push for their participation in all areas of society. This year’s commemoration – Be Seen, Be Heard: Youth Participation for Development – focuses on the enormous contributions young women and men everywhere can and do make towards national uplift.

09 August 2007 | The Secretary-General message on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, 9 August 2007
Today, we celebrate the contributions which indigenous peoples make to humanity through their rich civilizations. We also celebrate the partnership that has existed for three decades between indigenous peoples and the United Nations.

11 July 2007 | The Secretary-General message on World Population Day, 11 July 2007
The theme of this year’s World Population Day – men as partners for maternal health – focuses attention on the fundamental role of men in supporting women’s rights, including their right to sexual and reproductive health. ...Partnering with men is an important strategy for advancing reproductive health and rights. And gender equality, another Millennium Development Goal, is most likely to be achieved when men recognize that the lives of men and women are interdependent and that the empowerment of women benefits everyone.

19 June 2007 | The Secretary-General message on World Refugee Day, 20 June 2007
As humankind enjoys unprecedented mobility, with more people than ever before changing countries and even continents in pursuit of better opportunities, let us remember that not everyone who leaves home does so by choice. Refugees do not leave their homes and villages willingly. They are forced to do so by conflict or persecution.

06 June 2007 | Hear the first victims of climate change
By UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
(This article first appeared in the International Herald Tribune)
So, the lines are drawn. As the industrialized nations of the Group of Eight gather in Heiligendamm, the forces mustered to fight global warming have divided into competing camps. Germany and Britain seek urgent talks on a new climate change treaty, to go into effect when the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.

01 June 2007 | The Secretary-General Message on World Environment Day, 5 June 2007
Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are causing our world to get warmer. Concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are higher than at any time for the past 600,000 years, and the rate of increase is accelerating. The most dramatic evidence of climate change is found in the polar regions. The theme for World Environment Day 2007 – “Melting Ice: A Hot Topic!” – reflects the impact that climate change is having in all regions.

30 May 2007 | Why the World Has Changed in the U.N.'s Favor
By Ban Ki-moon
(This article first appeared in Newsweek International)
My experience, each morning, may not be unlike yours. We pick up our newspapers or turn on the TV – in New York, Lagos or Jakarta – and peruse a daily digest of human suffering. Lebanon. Darfur. Somalia. Of course, as Secretary General of the United Nations, I at least am in a position to try to do something about these tragedies. And I do, every day.

28 May 2007 | The Secretary-General message on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, 29 May 2007
Today, members of the UN family around the world join together to commemorate our colleagues who gave their lives in the cause of peace last year. In 2006, for the fourth year in a row, more than 100 peacekeepers lost their lives. This brings home to us the risks that our colleagues in peacekeeping undertake on behalf of the international community to provide peace, security and hope to hundreds of millions of people.

21 May 2007 | The Secretary-General message on the International Day for Biological Diversity, 22 May 2007
"Biodiversity is the foundation of life on earth and one of the pillars of sustainable development. The richness and variety of life on earth makes possible the ecosystem services on which we depend: clean water, food, shelter, medicine and clothing. Environments rich in biodiversity are resilient when stricken by natural disaster. All of this is of particularly importance for the poorest citizens of our world. Those who live on only a few dollars a day need biodiversity to meet their basic needs. Without the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, we will not achieve the Millennium Development Goals."

16 May 2007 | Message by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on World Telecommunication & Information Society Day, 17 May 2007
"The theme of this year’s observance is “connecting the young”. Young people are among the most prolific and knowledgeable users of ICT. I therefore urge policy-makers and industry leaders to put their minds together, and to work cooperatively with children and youth to produce suitable technologies, applications and services to facilitate access to information and communications technologies."

15 May 2007 | Message of the UN Secretary-General for the International Day of Families, 15 May 2007
The theme for this year’s International Day of Families is “Families and Persons with Disabilities”.
In December 2006, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the first human rights treaty of the 21st century. In its preamble, the Convention reconfirms that the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society, and is entitled to protection by society and the State. It also states that persons with disabilities and their family members should receive protection and assistance so that families can contribute towards the full and equal enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities.

02 May 2007 | Message of the UN Secretary-General for World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2007
"In our time, more and more people are gaining the means to reach, and reach out to, a wider audience. But too often, they face attempts to restrict, deny or block the flow of information and ideas.  In the face of such threats, it is the job of the United Nations to be an unflinching defender of press freedom, and of the women and men whose talent and dedication bring it to life."

26 April 2007 | Marking 21 years since Chernobyl, Ban Ki-moon says world cannot forget loss and pain
On the 21st anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, the worst nuclear power plant accident in history, United Nations Secretary–General Ban Ki–moon said that although the world should never forget the loss and pain caused by the tragic incident, it is imperative to move forward. Mr. Ban paid tribute to the hundreds of emergency workers who risked their lives to respond to the accident, the thousands who worked to build a shelter around the damaged reactor, the over 330,000 who were displaced from their homes, the 5,000 children stricken with cancer and the millions left traumatized and deeply worried about their health and livelihoods.

20 April 2007 | Message by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the occasion of the First UN Global Road Safety Week, 23-29 April 2007
This First United Nations Global RoadSafety Week – dedicated to young road users – is a platform for improving safety for the hundreds of millions of young people who travel the world's roads every day. Since World Health Day 2004, and subsequent discussions in the United Nations General Assembly, Governments and their partners have paid increased attention to road safety. But there is still much progress to be made.

04 April 2007 | Message of the UN Secretary-General on the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
This Day is a reminder that millions of people in nearly 80 countries still live in fear of landmines and explosive remnants of war. These devices continue to claim 15,000 new victims each year. They take an unacceptable toll on lives and limbs. They wreak havoc on people’s livelihoods. They block access to land, roads, and basic services. But this Day is also an occasion to take stock of the progress in our common efforts to combat the scourge of landmines and explosive remnants of war.

01 March 2007 | Statement by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus, at INCB Report 2006 presentation, 1 March 2007
"Unfortunately, Europe has become the second largest illicit market for cocaine in the world and continues to be one of the main illicit markets in the world for stimulants. The illicit manufacture of methamphetamine appears to be taking place on a small scale but is growing. Heroin abuse has remained largely stable and even declined in Western and Central Europe, while the level of abuse of opiates has increased in Eastern Europe, and particularly in the CIS."

20 December 2006 | Statement by Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus, on occasion of Global Compact official launching event, Minsk, 20 December 2006
"The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), entrusted by the United Nations to bring the Global Compact to national level, has been facilitating this process in Belarus so far and will further seek to support and strengthen the efforts of the private sector in Belarus to engage in corporate social responsibility."

09 December 2006 | Message of the UN Secreatary-General K. Annan
on the occasion of Human Rights Day, 10 December 2006
"Basic human rights – the right to a decent standard of living, to food and essential healthcare, to opportunities for education or decent work, or to freedom from discrimination – are precisely what the world’s poorest need most. Yet, by virtue of their enfeebled status, they are the ones least able to achieve or defend such “universal” rights."

08 December 2006 | Message of the UNDP Administrator Kemal Dervis
on the occasion of Human Rights Day, 10 December 2006
"UNDP emphasizes that a human rights-based framework is essential in bringing about more equitable development. The UN Secretary-General’s High Level Panel report, Delivering as One, published last month, argues that actions to integrate human rights into all aspects of the UN’s work will help to make our development efforts significantly more effective."

08 December 2006 | Address of the UN Secretary-General K. Annan to mark Human Rights Day, New York City, 8 December 2006
"Development, security and human rights go hand in hand; no one of them can advance very far without the other two. Indeed, anyone who speaks forcefully for human rights but does nothing about security and development – including the desperate need to fight extreme poverty – undermines both his credibility and his cause. Poverty in particular remains both a source and consequence of rights violations."

05 December 2006 | Address by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus, at the Biomass Workshop
"<...>wood biomass is considered by the international community an environmentally much friendlier alternative to another domestic fuel targeted by the Belarusian Government – peat. The experience of UNDP worldwide clearly indicates that extraction of this non-renewable source of energy not only threatens landscape and biological integrity, but also leads to huge carbon dioxide emissions."

01 December 2006 | Address by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative, at the Parliamentary Hearings of the Council of the Republic on the State Policy of the Republic of Belarus on HIV/AIDS Prevention, 1 December 2006
"Belarus is one of the few countries in Eastern and Central Europe where one can say that the situation is under control or stabilized. <...> Belarus with its 0.3% prevalence rate looks in a better shape. This shows that, in Belarus, thanks to the Government’s public health policy and efforts of the national AIDS Centre and other governmental structures, as well as many non-governmental organizations working in this field, it has been possible to rein in the fast spread of the epidemic."

28 November 2006 | Speech of the UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus Cihah Sultanogly for the opening of the International Conference on border security, 28 November 2006
"Today, the issues of international and human security are voiced at every high level meeting due to the threat of terrorism, increased drugs and human trafficking, and trafficking in arms. These issues are equally important for the countries of this region and are becoming more and more crucial for Belarus and for the countries of the former Soviet block. This is caused primarily by the new dynamics related to the EU enlargement, global context and the challenges it brings."

09 November 2006 | Statement by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative at the press conference on the occasion of the launch of the Human Development Report 2006, 9 November 2006, Minsk
"The Report’s main message is that it is not the shortage of water, which causes global water crisis, but the lack of sound management. Water resources are often thoughtlessly wasted, and cooperation between countries sharing water basins is often insufficient. For Belarus, whose water consumption per capita levels are well–above European average, and who shares Dnieper and Neman basins with its neighbours, this message has direct relevance."

24 October 2006 | Message of the UN Secretary-General K. Annan on United Nations Day, 24 October 2006
"For the tenth and last time as Secretary-General, I offer friends and colleagues around the world my best wishes on United Nations Day. I have spent almost my whole professional life working for the United Nations – so this day, and the values that it stands for, will always be special for me."

16 October 2006 | Message by Kemal Dervis, UNDP Administrator, on the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, 17 October 2006
The theme for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2006 - "Working Together Out of Poverty" - signals that eradicating poverty requires a collective commitment to address the diverse dimensions of poverty. The United Nations Development Programme, as the UN’s global development network, is committed to this endeavour.

16 October 2006 | Statement by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative at the presentation of the World Investment Report 2006, 16 October 2006
"UNCTAD helps developing countries and countries in transition promote foreign direct investment and improve their investment climate. It also assists governments to improve the general understanding of global trends in foreign direct investment and related policies."

01 October 2006 | Message of Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA Executive Director, on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, 1 October 2006
"The theme of this year’s observance, "Improving the Quality of Life for Older Persons: Advancing UN Global Strategies," points to the leading role of the United Nations in fostering a society for all ages—one in which young and old, men and women, rich and poor, can enjoy long, happy and healthy lives with opportunities for individual development and self-fulfilment."

06 September 2006 | Statement by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNFPA Representative, at the launch of UNFPA State of World Population Report 2006, Minsk, 6 September 2006
"To many of us, a migrant face is a man; however, for more then 40 years, the number of female migrants has been nearly equal to the number of men who migrate. The report points out that migration can contribute to the positive social and economic empowerment of women. On the other hand, domestic work and entertainment – the most vulnerable and exploitative service sectors that attract majority of women migrants – make them subject to discrimination and abuse, including human trafficking."

25 July 2006 | Statement by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative at the presentation of the Europe and CIS Regional MDG Report “National Millennium Development Goals: A Framework for Action”, 25 July 2006, Minsk
Belarus, indeed, advanced very much in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. But this fact should not be the reason for complacency. At the moment, more ambitious goals and targets should be on Belarus’ human development agenda. United Nations Development Programme and other UN agencies stand ready to provide any necessary assistance to Belarus in this area.

13 July 2006 | Keeping the G8’s Promises to the Poor
Kemal Dervis: "Gleneagles concluded with ambitious promises—promises which must be kept in St. Petersburg. If these summits are to have meaning, each one must lead to concrete steps towards lasting improvement in the daily lives of the world’s poor – and bring us closer to effective multilateralism."

11 July 2006 | Statement on the Occasion of World Population Day 2006 by Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA, 11 July 2006
"This year on World Population Day, the focus is on young people. From a 10-year-old girl to a young man of 24, their needs are different, their cultures diverse. Yet, all over the world, young people want to be heard and involved. They possess the ideas, determination and energy to accelerate effective action to reduce poverty and inequality."

10 July 2006 | Interview of Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus, for BelaPAN Information Company, 10 July 2006
"2005 has been really a remarkable year for the UNDP in Belarus. Its annual project funding was the highest since the establishment of the UNDP Office in the country in 1992, totaling USD 7.3 million. Moreover, cost-sharing of projects implemented — in 2005 we had 18 projects at different stages of realization — increased fourfold over the last three years."

06 July 2006 | Message of the UN Secretary-General on the occasion of the World Population Day, 11 July 2006
"The theme for this year’s World Population Day, “Young People”, focuses attention on the unique challenges faced by the burgeoning ranks of the young in our societies. Today, nearly half the world’s population—more than 3 billion people—are under the age of 25. They represent the largest cohort of young people in human history, and far too many among them confront bleak prospects."

30 June 2006 | Opening remarks of Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative at the final meeting of the Advisory Board of the project on poverty reduction, Minsk, 30 June 2006
"This project was designed to produce a theoretical framework for improvements in the national social policies with respect to poverty. I believe it played an important role in strengthening the national capacity for analyzing and measuring poverty and in coordinating stakeholder contribution to this task. Strength of the project is that it approaches poverty from a broad human development perspective without viewing it simply in terms of insufficient income."

30 June 2006 | Statement by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative at the signing of Memoranda of Agreement with winners of the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Program in Belarus, 30 June 2006
Following endorsement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Belarus, we are officially launching today the first 5 projects of the Small Grants Program (SGP) in Belarus, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as a corporate program and is implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

15 May 2006 | Message of Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, on the occasion of the International Day of Families, 15 May 2006
Today, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, joins people around the world in commemorating the International Day of Families. The theme of this year’s observance, Changing Families: Challenges and Opportunities, points to the dramatic changes that families are undergoing in all regions of the world.

28 April 2006 | Statement by Kemal Dervis, UNDP Administrator, at the Special Commemorative Session of the UN General Assembly devoted to Chernobyl, 28 April 2006
"As the United Nations Coordinator of International Cooperation on Chernobyl, I am pleased that the United Nations has been able to play a prominent role in the many commemorative events that have been held to mark this solemn 20th anniversary. It is an occasion both to remember the enormous human cost of the Chernobyl disaster and take stock of the many problems that linger two decades later."

26 April 2006 | Statement Attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the 20th Anniversary of the Chernobyl Disaster
As we look back over the past two decades, we need to remember the selfless heroism of the emergency workers who responded to the accident; the suffering of the more than 330,000 people who were resettled from contaminated regions; the risks and fears experienced by millions of people living in surrounding areas; and the painstaking and costly measures undertaken over many years to limit the population’s exposure to radiation and to mitigate the accident’s impact on health and the natural environment.

24 April 2006 | Speech by Mr. Kalman Mizsei UN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Assistant Administrator
"The human impact of the Chornobyl accident has been far more disturbing than the fate of the damaged reactor. Yet the residents of the region have yet to see a comparable outpouring of international financial generosity to assist in their own recovery."

18 April 2006 | Ad Melkert: United Nations considers Chernobyl as a development challenge
On the eve of his visit to Belarus to participate in the International Conference, commemorating the 20th anniversary of Chernobyl disaster, Mr. Melkert, UN Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator of UNDP, answered the questions from the UN Bulletin.

08 March 2006 | Statement by Kemal Dervis, UNDP Administrator, on the occasion of the International Women’s Day, 8 March 2006
"Newly-elected women leaders give hope to women worldwide that from the highest political level to the most personal, equality between women and men is a goal that can be achieved. On this International Women’s Day, UNDP reaffirms its commitment to ensure that we help to provide women with the capacity to make this goal a reality."

20 December 2005 | Statement by Mr. Levan Bîuadze, Deputy UNDP Resident Representative, at the conference “UN Global Compact Initiative: Opportunities for Building Partnerships of Government, Business Community and Civil Society”, December 20, 2005
"The world we are living in today is constantly changing. As part of this change, governments, civil society organizations and businesses are learning how to work together more effectively. Growing numbers of companies are building on their market successes by integrating social and environmental concerns into core business operations, and by designing and implementing pro-poor and pro-development business models."

09 December 2005 | Statement by Kemal Dervis, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme on the occasion of Human Rights Day, 10 December 2005
"The international language of human rights has become widely accepted and spoken in the fifty-seven years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This was underlined in September, when global leaders at the 2005 World Summit firmly stated that human rights along with development, peace, and security are the pillars of the United Nations system."

05 December 2005 | Message from Kemal Dervis on International Volunteer Day, 5 December 2005
"In this, my first message on occasion of International Volunteer Day as Administrator of UNDP, I welcome the opportunity to applaud the efforts of volunteers worldwide who, together with the United Nations and the international community, are contributing to global efforts to fight extreme poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)."

24 October 2005 | Statement by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus, at the UN Day, 24 October 2005
"Sixty years ago, fifty-one nations, including Belarus, founded the United Nations to promote social progress and better living standards for all people in peace and in freedom. Though UN’s objectives have not changed since then, we must recognize that the world today is very different from that of our founders."

21 October 2005 | Address by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative, at the opening of the “UN60: Historical Tour” Exhibition, 21 October 2005
"It is my pleasure to participate today in the opening of the exhibition we called “UN60: Historical Tour”. The photo exhibit depicting unique and rarely seen images of the United Nations goes on display in the National Library of Belarus as part of activities to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the United Nations."

31 August 2005 | Statement by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative, at the Press Conference on the occasion of the launch of the National Human Development Report 2004-2005, 31 August 2005
"Human development is about putting the human being at the centre of the decision-making process. The degree to which policy decisions and actions increase people’s choices to receive a good education, lead long and healthy lives and receive a decent income is measured by the already well-publicized Human Development Index for each country, which appears in UNDP’s annual global Human Development Report."

24 June 2005 | Message of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 26 June 2005
"The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is an occasion to reaffirm our commitment to eradicate torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, in whatever guise or manifestation they occur. It is an occasion to pause and remember torture victims who have not survived, to listen to the stories of those who have, and to support their quest for justice for torture victims and their families - including by supporting the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture."

17 June 2005 | Message of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, 17 June 2005
"Desertification is one of the world’s most alarming processes of environmental degradation. It threatens the health and livelihoods of more than one billion people. And each year, desertification and drought cause an estimated $42 billion in lost agricultural production. The great scope and urgency of this challenge led the United Nations General Assembly to proclaim 2006 to be the International Year of Deserts and Desertification."

08 May 2005 | Address by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative at wreath laying ceremony dedicated to the Days of Remembrance and Reconciliation, 8 May 2005
"The war turned into the greatest tragedy for the peoples of Europe and the entire world, irrespective on whose side their states fought. Not a single family, not a single human story was left untouched by its consequences. As survivors dwindle in number it falls to succeeding generations to carry forward the work of remembrance."

22 March 2005 | Address by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative at the World Water Day and the launch of the International Decade for Action "Water for Life", 2005-2015, 22 March 2005
"On 23 December 2003 the General Assembly proclaimed the period from 2005 to 2015 the International Decade for Action, "Water for Life", to commence today, on World Water Day, 22 March 2005."

03 March 2005 | Statement by the UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus on the 2006 Chernobyl International Conference to be held in 2006
"You may recall the recommendations of the 2002 UN Report “Human Consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Accident: A Strategy for Recovery” for a new developmental approach to tackling the problems caused by the Chernobyl accident and the events that followed. The report advocated, among other things, that all parties should work towards the development of the individuals and communities concerned in an attempt ‘to give them control over their own futures’."

22 February 2005 | Statement of Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus, at the Workshop on draft National Millennium Development Goals Report 22 February 2005
"... the Millennium Development Goals is an international commitment, to which Belarus has committed itself at the highest level (in September 2000 at the UN Millennium Summit the president of Belarus together with the leaders of more than 140 countries of the world adopted the millennium declaration, from which MDGs derive)."

16 December 2004 | Statement made by UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu on the occasion of the International Conference “Chernobyl Cooperation and Information: Problems and Perspectives”, 16 December 2004, Minsk
"Belarus is one of the countries most affected by the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster. Unprecedented in their scale, the consequences of the tragedy influenced all human activities negatively -- economy, social relations, health, education, culture, science and others. In fact, Chernobyl strongly changed the mentality of the affected people, aroused in their souls fear, distrust, uncertainty about their future and their children’s future; and deep concern about their health."

01 December 2004 | Statement by Thoraya Ahmed Obaid UNFPA Executive Director, December 1, 2004
In every region of the world, AIDS is taking a terrible toll on women and girls, who are experiencing rising rates of HIV infection and a disproportionate burden of caring for those who are sick and orphaned. Despite this alarming trend, women and girls know less than men about how HIV/AIDS is transmitted, and what little they do know is often rendered useless by the discrimination and violence they face.

28 November 2004 | Address by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus, at the round table devoted to the International Day of Disaster Reduction, 28 November 2004
"Since its first coordinated humanitarian operations in Europe following the devastation and massive displacement of people in the Second World War, the United Nations has been relied upon by the international community to respond to natural and man-made disasters that are beyond the capacity of national authorities alone."

18 November 2004 | Statement by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus at the launch of the International Year of Microcredit, 18 November 2005
"As you may know, in 1998, proclaiming 2005 as the International Year of Microcredit, the General Assembly requested that the Year's observance be a special occasion for giving impetus to microcredit programmes throughout the world. Launch observances are being held today in many parts of world: from Cambodia to Mexico and from Rwanda to the CIS countries."

10 November 2004 | Speech of Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus, at the CORE website presentation, 10 November 2004
"Eighteen years after the Chernobyl disaster hundreds of thousands of people are still suffering its tragic aftermath. In some cases people’s lives have improved because of their own efforts and those of the government and the international community. But in too many cases their lives have not changed for the better and Chernobyl continues to cloud their future."

02 November 2004 | Opening remarks of Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative at the International Conference Achieving the Millennium Development Goal 1: Approaches and Strategies» (Minsk, 2 November 2004)
"In September 2000, the world's leaders adopted the Millennium Declaration, committing their nations to reduce poverty, improve health and education, and promote peace, human rights and environmental sustainability. Out of this Declaration, emerged the Millennium Development Goals, shortly, the MDGs, which set out specific, measurable targets and which the world has committed to achieving by the year 2015."

29 July 2004 | Statement by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative at the Opening of the Rehabilitation Shelter for Victims of the Trafficking in Women, Minsk, 29 July 2004)
"I am delighted to welcome you at the opening of the Rehabilitation Shelter for Victims of Trafficking in Women which has been established by the EU/UNDP Project "Combating Trafficking in Women in the Republic of Belarus."

07 July 2004 | Statement by Thoraya A. Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, on the occasion of the World Population Day, 11 July 2004
"11 July as we celebrate World Population Day, we also celebrate the 10th anniversary of the historic International Conference on Population and Development. Ten years ago, 179 governments promised to improve the quality of life for women and families with access to health care, education, a clean environment and reproductive rights."

07 July 2004 | The message of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the occasion of the World Population Day, 11 July 2004
"Ten years ago in Cairo, 179 governments agreed that population issues must be addressed if development policies are to succeed. They agreed that population issues are not just a matter of numbers; they are first and foremost about people – about human beings and their inherent right to development and to lead a decent life no matter where they happen to be born."

08 July 2003 | 11 July - World Population Day, Message of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan
The theme of this year’s World Population Day, “One billion adolescents: the right to health, information and services”, highlights the need to support young people in their efforts to lead safe, rewarding lives and contribute to the well-being of their families and communities.