Geneva - The United Nations Durban Review Conference on racism entered its third day Wednesday with delegates having already adopted by consensus the outcome document which calls upon all states to fight racism, intolerance and discrimination.

The declaration was adopted Tuesday afternoon after no state attending the conference in Geneva voiced objection to the text, which was drafted over several months and included compromises to satisfy as many governments as possible.

Geneva - Nestle Group announced Tuesday its first quarter sales dropped 2.1 per cent from the same period last year to 25.2 billion Swiss francs (21.56 billion dollars).

The company said it achieved organic growth of 3.8 per cent in the quarter and was on track to meet its goals of "at least" 5 per cent organic growth this year.

Organic growth, which does not take into account currency effects and acquisitions, was nearly 10 per cent in the first quarter of last year.

Geneva  - Following opening events dominated by boycotts, walkouts and a divisive speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the United Nations conference against racism began its second day Tuesday, trying to refocus on the core issues.

Government officials and diplomats from various countries continued the delivery of their statements on progress accomplished since the first racism conference in 2001 in Durban, South Africa.

Geneva - The United Nations Durban Review Conference on racism began Monday in Geneva amid controversy and the notable absence of several Western states.

The United States, Germany, Canada, Italy, New Zealand and other countries have boycotted the conference saying the draft declaration prepared was unacceptable as it included vague attempts to limit free speech regarding criticism of religion, and concern that Israel might be singled out.

Geneva  - Diplomats believe they have come up with a suitable compromise draft final declaration ahead of next week's controversial racism conference in Geneva, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said Friday.

The conference, known as Durban II, has been plagued with disagreement, with Canada and Israel boycotting the event over fears Muslim nations will focus exclusively on the Jewish state's treatment of Palestinians.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said agreement from all member states had been received, and that all disputed points such as references to the Middle East had been deleted.

Geneva - United Nations Assistant Secretary General David Nabbaro said Thursday that the best way to prevent hunger and sustainably reduce poverty was to invest in agriculture.

"Over the last 25 years many countries have cut back on investment in agriculture," he said.

Nabbaro warned that countries were finding it difficult to meet the UN's Millenium Development Goals, including halving the number of hungry people globally by 2015.