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General Assembly: Meetings Coverage

9 May 2011

DEV/2880

As Istanbul Conference Opens, Secretary-General Urges Recognition of Least Developed Countries as ‘Vast Reservoirs of Untapped Potential’

ISTANBUL, 9 May — As the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries opened this morning, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, other senior international officials and Heads of State and Government called for a new vision to reverse the profound poverty of the people living in the world’s 48 poorest countries and lay a firm foundation for their integration into the world economy.

6 May 2011

PI/1983

Committee on Information Unanimously Approves Text Calling for Enhancing Multilingualism, Partnerships, Local Outreach as Session Concludes

The Committee on Information today called on the United Nations Department of Public Information to bolster multilingualism, partnerships, efficiency and local outreach in order to heighten awareness of critical international issues.

5 May 2011

GA/AB/3987

Fifth Committee Considers Financing for 13 Peacekeeping Missions, Hears Proposals for Disposition of Unspent Funds, Deficits from 23 Closed Operations

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) this morning heard the budgetary reports of 13 United Nations peacekeeping missions, as well as proposals for the disposition of $230.7 million of unspent funds from 18 closed operations and deficits of $86.7 million from 5 others.

3 May 2011

GA/AB/3986

As United Nations Peacekeeping Portfolio Continues to Grow, Speakers in Fifth Committee Welcome Efforts to ‘Do More with Less’

Speakers lauded last year’s launch of the global field support strategy and called for its further implementation as the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) this morning considered cross-cutting administrative and budgetary aspects of financing United Nations peacekeeping operations.

3 May 2011

GA/11079/Rev. 1

General Assembly, in Recorded Vote, Adopts Resolution Granting European Union Right of Reply, Ability to Present Oral Amendments

Recognizing the importance of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, as well as its benefits to the world body, the General Assembly today adopted a set of modalities granting the delegation of the European Union the right to make interventions, as well as the right of reply and the ability to present oral proposals and amendments.

2 May 2011

GA/AB/3985

In Resumed Session, Budget Committee Reviews Funding for Peacekeeping Operations, Underlining Need to Sustain Adequate, Efficient, Accountable Support

Speakers affirmed the importance of adequately, efficiently and accountably funding United Nations peacekeeping operations as the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee opened the second part of its resumed session this morning.

29 April 2011

GA/PAL/1201

Palestinian Rights Committee Chair Urges Quartet to ‘Help Sun Set on Occupation’, Finalize Permanent Status Parameters, So Peace Talks Can Proceed without Delay

HELSINKI, 29 April — With plans nearly complete for welcoming a sovereign, independent Palestinian State into the community of nations this September, the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People today urged the Quartet of Middle East peace mediators to “help make the sun set on the occupation permanently”, by rapidly finalizing the permanent status parameters so that direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations could proceed without delay.

29 April 2011

GA/PAL/1200

Experts Consider Practical Aspects of Building Viable Palestinian State, Urge Sound Social, Economic Policies, as United Nations Meeting Continues

HELSINKI, 29 April — Assessing the mechanics of building a Palestinian State — one that could inspire confidence in its citizens, deliver basic services, and support a vibrant economy — experts attending the United Nations Seminar on Assistance to the Palestinian People today said that democratic and accountable institutions, backed by sound social and economic policies, were essential for long-term success.

28 April 2011

PI/1978

Role of Communications Not Just Supportive, but Integral to Creation of Policy, Programmes and Change, Information Committee Told

Stressing the important role of the global network of United Nations information centres in carrying out regional strategic communications campaigns, the Organization’s top communications official this afternoon called for the requisite resources to strengthen those centres and the Department of Public Information as a whole.

28 April 2011

GA/PAL/1198

United Nations Seminar in Helsinki Weighs Achievements, Challenges of Palestinian State-building Programme

HELSINKI, 28 April — The United Nations Seminar on Assistance to the Palestinian People this afternoon focused its discussions on the progress towards obstacles that might undermine the Palestinian Authority’s two-year plan to build an independent State, with speakers warning that the Authority’s efforts were held back by the physical and political restrictions imposed by Israeli occupation.