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General Assembly: Meetings Coverage

3 December 2013

GA/11461-PAL/2169

As Budget Shortfall, Insecurity Threaten Efforts of UN Agency for Palestine Refugees, 17 Member States Promise Funds at Pledging Conference

Appealing to the international community to confront a $65 million cash shortfall in its 2014 budget, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East today heard representatives of 17 countries pledge to provide voluntary contributions.

2 December 2013

GA/AB/4091

Fifth Committee Delegates Voice Frustration at Cost Overruns, Delays in Umoja/Enterprise Resource Planning Project

During today’s meeting, Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) delegates once again voiced their frustrations with cost overruns and delays that had plagued the Secretariat’s efforts to carry out a major enterprise resource planning project aimed at streamlining administrative practices and boosting efficiency throughout the United Nations.

27 November 2013

GA/SHC/4095

Third Committee Passes 11 Texts, Including One on Protecting Women Human Rights Defenders, as Members Conclude Their Work

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) concluded its work today, having approved 72 draft resolutions that are expected to be taken up by the General Assembly plenary next month.

27 November 2013

GA/EF/3389

Second Committee Approves Texts on Agriculture, Rural Development, as Delegates Also Pass Draft on United Nations University Charter

The General Assembly would stress the need to increase investment in agriculture and rural development, including by giving technical and financial aid to least developed and net food-importing developing countries, with a view to increasing their agricultural productivity and infrastructure, according to one of two draft resolutions the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) approved by consensus today.

26 November 2013

GA/SHC/4094

Third Committee Approves Text Titled ‘Right to Privacy in the Digital Age’, as It Takes Action on 18 Draft Resolutions

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) approved 18 draft resolutions today, including one on “The right to privacy in the digital age”.

26 November 2013

GA/11460

General Assembly, Wrapping Up Annual Consideration of Question of Palestine, Situation in Middle East, Adopts Six Resolutions by Recorded Vote

Sending a strong message of support for the Middle East peace process, albeit with the traditionally divergent views on how to achieve its aims, the General Assembly today adopted six draft resolutions on the question of Palestine and the situation in the Middle East overall.

25 November 2013

GA/SHC/4093

Third Committee Approves Texts on Youth Policies, International Cooperation on Human Rights, Protection against Enforced Disappearance

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) approved three draft resolutions today, including a text on “policies and programmes involving youth”, as it entered the final week of its session.

25 November 2013

GA/PAL/1281

Direct Talks Signal Time to End Suffering, Say Speakers as Committee Holds Special Event Marking International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People

Meeting in observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, speakers said today that with new direct negotiations under way, the time had come to end the suffering of the Palestinians and create an independent State for them.

25 November 2013

GA/AB/4090

Concern Aired over Financial Impact of Proposed Mobility Scheme, Staff Recruitment Rules as Budget Committee Takes Up Human Resources Management Reports

The unknown financial consequences of the Secretary-General’s proposed mobility framework for moving hundreds of staff around the globe each year evoked apprehension from many delegates in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) this afternoon.

25 November 2013

GA/11459

Hopes for Two-State Solution Dampened by Current Challenges Facing Peace Process, General Assembly Hears in Opening Debate on Question of Palestine

Opening a two-day debate on the question of Palestine and the situation in the Middle East, General Assembly delegates heard today the introduction of four draft resolutions that ranged from the declaration of 2014 as the Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People to efforts on moving forward towards a two‑State solution in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.