KYIV, UKRAINE - On February 23, a press conference on the upcoming Stella Zakharova Cup, dedicated to the 20th Anniversary of the Chornobyl Catastrophe, was held at the Arena City Conference Hall in Kyiv. The Cup is to take place in late March 2006 under the auspices of the United Nations and is aimed to attract public attention to the Chornobyl related issues and to promote healthy life style through sport in Chornobyl affected areas in Ukraine.
The participants of the press conference included Mr. Francis M. O’Donnell, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations system in Ukraine and UNDP Resident Representative and Ms. Stella Zaharova Olympic games champion in rhythmic gymnastics.
During the press conference Mr. O’Donnell emphasized the importance of the upcoming 20th Anniversary of the Chornobyl Catastrophe for the United Nations, which invests significant efforts in the mitigation of the Chornobyl catastrophe consequences, actively supports the processes of recovery and development of Chornobyl affected areas, and advocates healthy life style among people living there. He also accentuated the significance of the visits of Mr. Kemal Dervis, UNDP Administrator and Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO to Ukraine in April 2006. Both high-rank UN officials will come to Ukraine to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Chornobyl Catastrophe.
Mr. O’Donnell especially stressed the importance of sport in combating the risks of HIV/AIDS, drugs dependence and influenza, and the essential role of the United Nations in assisting Ukraine to overcome the consequences of avian influenza.
The press conference was largely covered in Ukrainian mass media, including major TV channels and key newspapers.
For detailed information please, contact:
Mykola Movchan, UNDP/CRDP Knowledge Management Specialist
Tel: /044/ 253 07 08; 253 50 68; 253 51 77
E-mail:
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