Calendar

April

Commission on Population and Development

42nd session, New York, 30 March-3 April

Committee of Experts on Public Administration

8th session, New York, 30 March-3 April

Revision of the Recommendations for International Merchandise Trade Statistics

Workshop for Developing Countries, Bogota, Colombia, 31 March – 3 April

Mainstreaming Disability in MDG Policies, Processes and Mechanisms: Development for All

Expert Group Meeting, Geneva, 14-16 April

Family policy in a changing world: Promoting social protection and intergenerational solidarity

Expert Group Meeting, Doha, 14-16 April

Sustainable Land Management & Agricultural Practices in Africa

Expert Group Meeting, Gothenburg, Sweden, 16-17 April

United Nations Forum on Forests

8th session, New York, 20 April-1 May

Special High-level Meeting of the Economic and Social Council with the Bretton Woods Institutions, the World Trade Organization and UNCTAD

New York, 27 April

14th meeting of the London Group on Environmental Accounting

Canberra, 28 April – 1 May

Economic and Social Council

Regional Ministerial Meeting on the Annual Ministerial Review, Beijing, 29-30 April

May

Commission on Sustainable Development

17th session, New York, 4-15 May

Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations

Resumed regular session for 2009, 18-27 May

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

8th session, New York, 18-27 May

Observances

World Autism Awareness Day

2 April

Autism is a complex brain disorder that affects people on all continents. It inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioural challenges.

The United Nations marks World Autism Awareness Day on 2 April, to highlight the need to help improve the lives of children and adults who suffer from this disorder. The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day in November 2007.

“On this day, the United Nations reaffirms its commitment to the rights and well-being of people with disabilities -- a commitment rooted in our fundamental principle of universal human rights for all,” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement marking the day in 2008.

For more information: http://www.un.org/disabilities/