18 October 2000

In the morning, Mr. Holkeri presided over the General Assembly's plenary meeting on the Report of the Security Council. In the afternoon, he presided over the resumed Tenth Emergency Special Session on "Illegal Israeli Actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the Rest of Occupied Palestinian Territory".

The President met with the President of Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), H.E. Dr. Makarim Wibisono of Republic of Indonesia.

The President was a keynote speaker at the World Food Day event in the Second Committee. In his speech Mr. Holkeri spoke about world leaders' commitments to achieve "A Millennium Free from Hunger" and about the importance of translating these commitments into action. The full text of his speech is available in the "Statements and Messages" page. The event was followed by a luncheon, hosted by the Director-General of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Mr. Jacques Diouf. The President also had a bilateral meeting with Mr. Diouf before the World Food Day event during which Mr. Diouf briefed the President of the FAO's activities.

Mr. Holkeri attended a United Nations Correspondents' Association event on the occasion of a special exhibition of selected flags of UN Member States. Mr. Holkeri was given a framed photograph of the Finnish flag made of fresh flowers.

Mr. Holkeri met with nine Humphrey Fellows from the College of Journalism at the University of Maryland. Mr. Holkeri spoke to them about the work of the General Assembly and about the importance of implementing the Millennium Declaration speedily. The President also spoke about strengthening the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security. There was a lively discussion during the meeting and Mr. Holkeri answered to a number of questions from the journalism students from different countries.

Mr. Holkeri attended an Inaugural Ball of the Scandinavia House and a dinner hosted by Mrs. Jane Erkko and Mr. and Mrs. Jaakko Rauramo.