Speakers decried Israel’s excessive use of force during peaceful demonstrations today, citing more than 100 deaths and thousands of injuries, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) began its general debate on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories.
Some 16 countries pledged a total of $516 million at today’s 2019 United Nations Pledging Conference for Development Activities, representing a considerable increase over 2018 which saw $425.69 million promised.
Delegates today expressed their strong support for the Joint Inspection Unit’s proposals to make the United Nations premises more accessible for persons with disabilities, as the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) examined progress and challenges related to conference management services.
While pleased with the Board of Auditor’s precise review of the overall healthy financial statements of 18 United nations entities, several delegates today in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) were troubled by what they viewed as some of these same entities’ lax attitude in carrying out the auditing watchdog’s recommendations.
Amidst an investigation of misconduct allegations, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is working to address management issues and continues to provide vital services despite facing a funding crisis, its Officer in Charge told the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today.
Endorsing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) annual report, the General Assembly today adopted a draft resolution that recognizes the critical role it plays in helping countries to keep nuclear and radioactive material and technologies safe and out of the hands of terrorists and other criminals.
After hearing the oral reports of its working groups, the Sixth Committee (Legal) today approved without a vote three draft resolutions concerning international trade law and one on transboundary harm and allocation of loss.
Acting without a vote, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) approved a draft resolution on special political missions today as it concluded its general debate on that agenda item.
At a time when the continued operations of the United Nations face uncertainty because of budgeting shortfalls and a liquidity crisis, reducing the number of meetings and consolidating the work of General Assembly is vital to address global challenges and meet development goals, speakers said today during a joint debate on implementing resolutions and revitalizing the organ’s work.
Concluding its programme of work, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today rejected a draft decision that would have potentially seen it convene in Geneva or Vienna in 2020 due to concerns among some delegations that the United States is failing to abide by its host country obligations when issuing visas to United Nations Member State representatives.
