Zambia ratified today the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Dicrimination, which came into force on 4 January 1969. Under the Convention, States parties condemn "racial discrimination and undertake to pursue, by all appropriate means and without delay, a policy of eliminating racial discrimination in all its forms and promoting understanding among races." A Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has been established under the Convention to oversee implementation of its provisions. The Convention was adopted by the General Assembly on 21 December 1965. Zambia also acceded to the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, which was adopted by the General Assembly on 20 December 1952. The Convention has been into force since 7 July 1954. It provides that women, on equal terms with men and without discrimination, shall have the right to vote, to be eligible for election to all publicy elected bodies, to hold public office and to exercise all public functions.
Ambassador Vernon Johnson Mwaanga, Permanent Representative of Zambia to the UN, depositing the instruments with Constantin. A. Stavropoulos, United Nations Legal Counsel.

Yugoslavia signed today the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Dicrimination.
Ambassador Danilo lekic of Yugoslavia after signing the Convention. Standing next to him is Mr. C.A. Stavropoulos, Under-Secretary for the UN Office of Legal Affairs.

Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim, today declared open the World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Dicrimination in Geneva. The Conference is scheduled to conclude on 25 August. In his address to the delegates the Secretary-General stated, "It is my hope that the Connferece will mark a decisive turning point in the International struggle against all forms of racial prejudice, inequality and injustice". Mr. Looki V. Molapo, Minister of Commerce and Industry of Lesotho, was elected President of the World Conference.
Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim (second from left) congratulating Mooki V. Molapo upon the latter's election as President of the World Conference.
At the presiding table during today's meeting are (left to right) Luigi Cottafavi , Director-General of UN Office at Geneva; Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim; Mooki V. Nolapo, President; C.V. Narasingham, Secretay-General of Conference; and T. van Boven, Director of Division of Human Rights.

Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim, today declared open the World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Dicrimination in Geneva. The Conference is scheduled to conclude on 25 August. In his address to the delegates the Secretary-General stated, "It is my hope that the Connferece will mark a decisive turning point in the International struggle against all forms of racial prejudice, inequality and injustice". Mr. Looki V. Molapo, Minister of Commerce and Industry of Lesotho, was elected President of the World Conference.
Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim (second from left) congratulating Mooki V. Molapo upon the latter's election as President of the World Conference.

Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim, today declared open the World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Dicrimination in Geneva. The Conference is scheduled to conclude on 25 August. In his address to the delegates the Secretary-General stated, "It is my hope that the Connferece will mark a decisive turning point in the International struggle against all forms of racial prejudice, inequality and injustice". Mr. Looki V. Molapo, Minister of Commerce and Industry of Lesotho, was elected President of the World Conference.
Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim (second from left) congratulating Mooki V. Molapo upon the latter's election as President of the World Conference.
A general view of the World Conference on 14 August.