Describing multilingualism as essential for the dissemination of United Nations information, the Organization’s new information chief said it was a priority for the Department of Public Information, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) began its consideration of questions relating to information today.
After 24 years of ground‑breaking work in the fight against impunity, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia would close its doors by end of year, having “blazed a trail of remarkable firsts”, the General Assembly heard today.
Speakers stressed the need to increase official development assistance (ODA), build infrastructure, widen export bases and stimulate trade in least developed and landlocked developing countries, as the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) took up groups of countries today.
Amid fears of an arms race in outer space, coupled with the transformation of that domain into a zone of conflict, several speakers in the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) warned today against its misuse, with some calling for new laws and mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable.
Amid reforms to end fragmentation of the United Nations system, it was crucial to maintain sufficient funding for the Secretary‑General’s representatives working to make the Organization’s operational activities more efficient and effective at the country level, delegates said today as the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) examined the proposed 2018‑2019 cost‑sharing arrangement and financing of the Resident Coordinator system.
Experts stressed the need for preventive measures and accessible remedies to mitigate wide‑ranging challenges to human rights, the Sustainable Development Goals and global stability, as the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) held a series of interactive dialogues today.
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) approved four draft resolutions and a draft decision today, concluding its general debate on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
The General Assembly today elected, by secret ballot, 15 States to serve on the Human Rights Council, the United Nations body responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe.
Through regional courses, online resources and legal publications, as well as a new project producing accessible digital files, the Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law was stepping up to the demanding task of meeting the increased need for international law training and research materials, the Sixth Committee (Legal) heard today as it began its consideration of the Secretary-General’s report on the matter.
International human rights standards “can and must” be translated into programmes on the ground, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, pointing to gender-related killings in Central America, massive migration from Myanmar to Bangladesh and ongoing tragedy in Syria.
