The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) approved three draft resolutions without a vote today, the first two on questions relating to information and the third on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
Growing unilateralism — often fuelled by intolerance towards migrants as well as racial and ethnic minorities — impeded the realization of human rights, the senior-most United Nations human rights official told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, as delegates discussed ways to improve the Organization’s ability to serve those most in need.
A guiding set of common principles was needed to encourage responsible behaviour and secure outer space safety and security, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) heard today as other speakers debated the need for legally binding instruments with reliable guarantees.
With violent extremism on the rise and waves of intolerance and hate targeting minorities, migrants and the most vulnerable, the international community must renew efforts to uphold its human rights treaties, the General Assembly heard this morning.
While the Department of Public Information’s emphasis on the latest advances in information technologies would broaden the reach of the United Nations, conventional media remained the primary means of communication in many developing countries, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) heard today, as it continued its general debate on questions relating to information.
The language of human rights treaty bodies could counter the fear, extremism and populist speeches diminishing human rights standards around the world, but the system was hampered by scarce resources and non-compliance by Member States, briefers told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today.
International migratory flows were increasing and well-managed migration policies and governance were essential, Member States said today as the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) discussed globalization and interdependence.
Speakers expressed their deep concern with the danger of non-State actors and terrorist groups obtaining and using chemical and biological weapons, but differed on ways to approach the issue, as the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) concluded its thematic debate on weapons of mass destruction this morning.
Approving a draft resolution stressing the need for the United Nations internal oversight body to focus more on investigating fraud, the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today also took stock of progress in completing the United Nations multi-billion dollar Headquarters renovation project known as the Capital Master Plan.
Speakers in the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today called for concrete steps to protect indigenous peoples’ rights, including through obtaining free, prior and informed consent and enhancing their participation in both national policy design and at the United Nations.
