I. Introduction

1. The present report is submitted pursuant to paragraph 12 of Security Council resolution 1320 (2000) of 15 September 2000. It provides an update on developments since my report of 20 December 2002 (S/2002/1393), and describes the activities of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), whose mandate was extended until 15 March 2003 by Security Council resolution 1434 (2002) of 6 September 2002. The report also includes an update on UNMEE activities related to the provision of assistance to the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC), as mandated by the relevant Council resolutions.