The undermining of independent judiciaries, along with other trends impacting access to justice, has been increasing around the world, a top United Nations official warned, as the Sixth Committee (Legal) took up the matter of the rule of law at the national and international levels today.
Multilateralism and rules‑based international order are key to reducing the risks of nuclear weapons being used, whether by accident or deliberately, delegates told the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today at the opening of its general debate, with representatives spotlighting a range of threats and progress, from the use of chemical weapons to ongoing efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.
With the #MeToo rallying cry at full volume, calls to bring the perpetrators of sexual assault to justice have broken the code of silence plaguing survivors for too long, delegates told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today as it continued its debate on the advancement of women amid appeals for Governments, schools and board rooms to root out abuse.
As the ultimate bastion of multilateralism, the United Nations is the best bulwark against the rising tide of protectionism and unilateralism, the General Assembly heard today as it took up the Secretary‑General’s annual report on the work of the Organization.
Increasing the efficiency of the registration process for treaties will contribute to an improved international treaty framework, the Sixth Committee (Legal) heard today as it took up that topic for the first time, alongside criminal accountability of United Nations officials and experts on mission.
The world is at a “moment of opportunity” in eliminating violence against women and girls, UN-Women Deputy Executive Director Åsa Regnér told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, calling for “unqualified” support for a strengthened feminist movement.
As terrorism becomes more intertwined with organized crime, human trafficking and corruption, no border of the world is untouched by the illicit drug trade, delegates told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today during their annual debate on crime prevention, criminal justice and international drug control.
As the Sixth Committee (Legal) continued its consideration of international terrorism today, speakers emphasized the importance of international cooperation and regional collaboration, with many drawing attention to specific initiatives including a proposed Code of Conduct on Counter‑Terrorism.
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) met today in an organizational meeting to adopt its agenda and work programme for the seventy-third session of the General Assembly.
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today approved its work programme for the seventy‑third session, which covers topics ranging from the decolonization of the 17 remaining Non‑Self‑Governing Territories, through the peaceful uses of outer space, to the plight of Palestine refugees and Israel’s practices in the occupied Palestinian and other Arab territories.
