4 December 2000

The General Assembly today discussed the situation in Central America. The Assembly also took up the reports from the Third Committee, which deals with Social, Humanitarian and Cultural issues, and adopted more than 60 resolutions and 7 decisions on the recommendation of the Committee.

The President opened the Pledging Conference for United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestinian refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This is the only UN programme that is a direct subsidiary of the General Assembly and is a lifeline for almost four million Palestinian refugees .In his statement Mr. Holkeri drew attention to the fact that UNRWA is facing chronic under-funding. For next year its regular budget cash requirements are around $311 million and UNRWA is also lacking working capital, and is looking for a minimum amount of $25 million early in January next year in order to continue its operation. The full text of the remarks is available on the "Statements and Messages" page.

The President met with the State Secretary of Norway, Mr. Raymond Johanssen. The discussion centered on the Brahimi Report and the Security Council reform.

During a meeting with the Permanent Representative of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Shamshad Ahmad, the President raised the issue of the continuation of the work of the Open-Ended Ad Hoc Working Group on the Causes of Conflict and the Promotion of Durable Peace and Sustainable Development in Africa.

The President hosted a luncheon on the occasion of the Finnish Food Festival in the Delegates' Dining Room at the United Nations Headquarters. The President's remarks at the luncheon are available on the "Statements and Messages" page.

The President met with the Chairpersons of the Regional Groups to brief them about his intention to appoint vice-chairs and facilitators to a number of open-ended working groups and consultative processes.

Later in the day the President was the quest of honor in a dinner, hosted by the Permanent Representative of Luxembourg, H.E. Mr. Hubert Wurth.