NAIROBI — A redoubling of efforts to fight poverty and environmental
degradation has been pledged by the head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

His pledge comes in the wake of the news that Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the family of organizations that he leads has won the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize.

Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director of UNEP, writing to congratulate Mr. Annan, said: "We, in the UN family, are extremely proud to serve you in this great and vital organization."

He added that the Secretary-General's vision, dedication and personal commitment to decrease tension and conflict had served as a beacon not only for UN staff but also for the peoples of the
world as a whole.

"There has been more than one lesson learned from you and your openness for integrating civil society and Governments in seeking dialogue and solutions to the challenges facing the world.
Your leadership has illuminated the difficult path we are traveling on the road to a better world", said Mr. Toepfer, an Under-Secretary General at the UN.

He said the awarding of the Prize was a clear signal that the UN has achieved important results in the search for peace. It also signaled confidence in the Organization's ability to deliver peaceful solutions to the planet's many difficulties and conflicts in the future.

Mr. Toepfer added: "This award will spur myself and UN staff world-wide to even greater efforts to protect our beautiful blue planet, to fight poverty and release millions from misery. We
must work towards a stable environment, in a society based on cooperation and the rule of law, where each one respects the spiritual and cultural values of the other."

He said once these goals are achieved, once social equity is delivered globally, humankind would have the essential "preconditions for peace and solidarity".