Meetings Coverage and Press Releases

In progress at UNHQ

General Assembly: Meetings Coverage

GA/EF/3253

Despite Observance of Anti-Poverty Day, Huge Populations Still Afflicted by Hunger and Extreme Deprivation, Economic Committee Is Reminded

Five days after celebrating the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the international community still had a long way to go to erase the vast socio-economic inequities that existed from Argentina to Zimbabwe, several speakers told the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today, as it began its consideration of the eradication of poverty and other development issues.
GA/DIS/3397

Robust Regional Action, Combined with Strict Compliance with Arms Control Accords, Contains Arms Races, First Committee Told during Debate on Regional Disarmament

Peace and security could only be achieved with strong regional action and strict compliance with existing arms agreements, otherwise the present arms races would erect stumbling blocks along the road to stability around the world, the Disarmament Committee heard today, concluding its thematic debate on regional disarmament and security, with the introduction of eight related draft resolutions, and opening its discussion on the disarmament machinery.
GA/SPD/433

Debating Outer Space Cooperation, Fourth Committee Hears Growing Number of Actors in Outer Space Could Risk Security of Space Assets, Limit Scope of Peaceful Uses

While space technology was indispensable in addressing issues related to sustainable development and disaster management, the international community must work together for its harmonious use and prevent the militarization of outer space, delegates stressed today, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) continued its consideration of international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.

GA/SHC/3956

Ordinary People Throughout World Want Human Rights of Universal Declaration ‘Translated into Reality’, UN High Commissioner Tells Third Committee

The true test of the world’s human rights machinery was not found in lofty visions and goals, but in the lives of ordinary people struggling to work, eat and stay healthy, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) was told today during a day-long discussion on the promotion and protection of human rights.

GA/EF/3252

Economic Committee Is Told ‘Illicit Financial Flows’ Major Obstacle to Development, Reportedly Far Exceeding Official Assistance

Illicit financial flows represented a major obstacle to development and estimates showed that such flows out of developing countries were eight to 10 times higher than all official development assistance coming in every year, Norway’s representative said today, as the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) began its general debate on preventing and combating corrupt practices.
GA/DIS/3396

Time for General Discussion on Arms Trade Treaty Is Over, First Committee Hears, Seeking in One of Five Drafts to Prevent Diversion of Weapons to Illicit Market

It was the widespread view of the United Nations community that the time for general discussion on an arms trade treaty was over and the international community must move forward and consider the practical details of such a treaty, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) was told this morning, in connection with the introduction of a draft resolution on the treaty.
GA/10874

Speakers Call for Scaled-Up Resources to Help Meet 2010 Goal on Malaria Control, as General Assembly Concludes Debate on Africa’s Development Needs

With the clock ticking on the World Health Organization-backed deadline for comprehensive malaria control, particularly in Africa, by 2010, African diplomats in the General Assembly today appealed to the United Nations and their development partners to improve coordination of resources and fulfil long-awaited pledges of assistance that would help the continent eradicate the scourge once and for all.
GA/SPD/432

Fourth Committee, Taking Up Outer Space Item, Hears Space Technology Could Combat, Even Forecast, Spread of Disease, Ensuring Health of Current, Future Generations

Space technology applications to combat and even forecast the spread of disease were fundamental instruments in ensuring the health of current and future generations -– one of the major challenges to meeting the Millennium Development Goals –- the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) was told today, as it began its consideration of international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
GA/SHC/3955

Convention against Torture ‘Next Generation Treaty’ That Places Value on Prevention over Cure, Third Committee Told

In an exchange of views with three of the United Nations’ top watchdogs on torture, speakers in the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) expressed support for proactive measures taken by United Nations treaty bodies to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and said the Convention against Torture was a “new generation treaty” that placed value on prevention over a cure.