Brasília, September 4, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The resident representative in Brazil of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Carlos Lopes, affirmed today in the Planalto Palace that Brazil's message at the opening of the United Nations General Assembly will serve to reaffirm the idea of multilateralism defended by Brazil, taking into consideration the fight against poverty, hunger, and exclusion. Lopes recalled that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will be the first to speak at the meeting of the General Assembly.

Lopes was received today by President Lula to work out the details of Brazil's participation at the General Assembly meeting. The PNUD representative also pointed out that President Lula should reinforce the idea of creating a fund to combat hunger and poverty. According to Lopes, the President intends, during his opening address, to recall the necessity of strengthening the role of the United Nations in the resolution of international conflicts. Lopes also observed that the unification of social policies in Brazil will help the country to lead in this effort to combat social exclusion. (DAS)