Some petitioners described the desperate conditions in the Tindouf refugee camps while others demanded self‑determination for the people of Western Sahara, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) continued its general debate on decolonization today.
The General Assembly today adopted three resolutions including two containing political declarations on realizing universal health coverage by 2030 and addressing the priorities of small island developing States amid the rising threat of climate change.
Holding United Nations officials and experts on mission accountable for crimes required Member States to increase their exercise of national extraterritorial jurisdiction in order to ensure the integrity of the Organization, the Sixth Committee (Legal) heard today as it took up that topic, alongside the matter of the principle of rule of law.
Delegates highlighted improvements in children’s access to health care and vaccination coverage, while also underscoring the importance of young people’s participation in decision-making, as the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) continued its discussion on the protection of children’s rights today.
Multilateralism and a stable, inclusive international trade environment are crucial to developing countries, while growing debt threatens their progress in sustainable development, speakers told the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today during debate on macroeconomic policy questions.
The international disarmament machinery is a barometer of global security, but with the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva and the United Nations Disarmament Conference in New York both at a standstill, it is more urgent than ever for the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) to achieve truly meaningful outcomes this year, the United Nations top disarmament official said today as the Committee began its annual general debate.
As the Sixth Committee (Legal) continued its consideration of measures to eliminate international terrorism, delegates called for more funding for counter-terrorism efforts, as well as increased cooperation in tackling and stopping the legal and illegal financing that supports terrorist groups and activities.
Delegates in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today began discussing the proposed programme budget for 2020 totalling $2.87 billion, which represents no real-term growth from 2019 but reflects the strategic priorities and reforms of the United Nations.
With international terrorist groups increasingly turning to online platforms to spread messages of hate, influence potential recruits and coordinate attacks, delegations today underscored that a holistic, global response was crucial in combatting the threat, as the Sixth Committee (Legal) took up the Secretary‑General’s report on measures to eliminate international terrorism (document A/74/151).
Extreme climate events could spell annihilation for certain Non‑Self‑Governing Territories faced with neglect by their administering Powers, petitioners told the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today, as it continued its general debate on decolonization.
