Painting a picture of the obstacles to social development — economic inequality, social injustice, racism and issues affecting the rights of older persons — the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) opened its session today, with delegates calling for a greater international response to the needs of the world’s most vulnerable.
The Nelson Mandela Peace Summit concluded today as senior Government officials and representatives of international organizations called on world leaders to uphold the principles Mr. Mandela stood for — courage, humility and tolerance — to promote peace and stability across the globe. Speakers stressed that Mr. Mandela’s teachings are the foundation for global peace initiatives.
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) elected Gillian Elizabeth Bird (Australia) as Chair on 5 June.
The Third Committee (Social Humanitarian and Cultural) elected Mahmoud Saikal (Afghanistan) as Chair on 5 June.
The Sixth Committee (Legal) elected Michel Xavier Biang (Gabon) Chair on 5 June.
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) elected Lewis Garseedah Brown II as Chair on 5 June.
The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) elected Jorge Skinner‑Klee (Guatemala) as Chair on 5 June.
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) elected Ion Jinga (Romania) as Chair on 5 June.
As the General Assembly concluded its high‑level debate amid calls for regional solidarity, multilateralism and respect for human rights, Assembly President María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés (Ecuador) said discussions over the past week underscored not only the relevance of the 193‑member organ, but the Organization as a whole.
World leaders underscored the continuing threats of terrorism and cybersecurity while urging protection of valuable principles such as freedom of the press and peaceful electoral processes, as the General Assembly general debate entered its fifth day.
