Yearbook of the United Nations 2003

This is the 57th volume of this publication which reviews the work of the United Nations and its programmes and bodies during 2003. It is divided into six parts which deal with: international political and security questions; human rights; economic and social issues such as development policy, humanitarian assistance, environment and human settlements, refugees and displaced persons; legal matters including the International Court of Justice, international tribunals, and the Law of the Sea; institutional, administrative and budgetary questions; and intergovernmental organisations related to the UN. The year 2003 was one of the most challenging in the history of the UN, with key issues including the Iraq crisis, the problems of post-conflict reconstruction, and the terrorist bombing of the UN's headquarters in Baghdad, the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS in Africa and disarmament, as well as problems of environmental degradation, human rights violations, extreme poverty, humanitarian emergencies and displaced populations.