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.
Progress had been made to eradicate poverty, but hindrances like climate change, the technology gap, non-inclusive financial policies and geography continued to stifle development, speakers told the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today as it took up that topic.
Pointing to past and potential nuclear catastrophes, several non-nuclear States expressed alarm that the fate of global security remained in the hands of just a clutch of nuclear-weapon and nuclear-armed States, as the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) concluded its debate on nuclear weapons.
As the Sixth Committee (Legal) began its deliberations on the Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law today, speakers noted that the 2016 budgetary commitments enacted by the General Assembly during its seventieth session had enabled the Programme to continue and expand its work, most notably with regard to its Regional Courses.
The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) concluded its general discussion on the rights of children today, with delegates describing progress and challenges on a range of issues pertaining to child health, education and protection.
