The fourth UN world conference on women has been underway (September 4-15) in Beijing, China. Weighty -issues being discussed in the conference include action to alleviate poverty, abolishing slavery and prostitution, stopping violence against women, equality under the law and equal access to health care, education and jobs. Around 24,000 delegates from allover the world, among whom are America's First Lady Hillary Clinton and Pak premier Benazir Bhutto, are attending the conference.

Under its environmental programme, the UN has declared September 16 as World Ozone Day. The focus will primarily be on global reduction in the use of chemical substances like halon and chloroflurocarbons (CFCS) which destroy the ozone layer in the atmosphere. While CFCs are mainly used in refrigerator and airconditioners, halons are used In fire engines. According to Suvit Yodmani, director of the environmental I Iprogramme for Asia, the campaign is the first of its kind to be launched this year.