Attempts had recently been made to expand or alter peacekeeping mandates without consulting host States and sometimes without their consent, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) heard today, while continuing its general debate on the comprehensive review of United Nations peacekeeping.
Human rights defenders including journalists, lawyers and judges were suffering repression, harassment and censorship as States struggled against terrorism, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) heard today as special mandate holders presented their reports.
Enormous technological developments in the field of autonomous weapons required the world to more sharply focus on addressing the range of threats they posed, while taking into account gaps in existing international regimes, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) heard, as it continued its debate on conventional weapons.
Curbing illicit financial flows, honouring funding commitments, South-South cooperation and reforming the international financial system were vital in meeting development goals and “leaving no one behind”, speakers stressed as the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) concluded its debate today on macroeconomic policy questions.
The negative effects of sanctions, violations of workers’ rights and obstacles to the right to development were among the wide‑ranging concerns before the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural), today as delegates engaged in interactive discussions with independent Human Rights Council experts on ways to improve respect across a range of business and Government practices.
Exports had remained stagnant or drastically declined due to low world prices, failure to adapt to changing markets and policies penalizing their traditional activity, Maldives’ delegate told the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today as it began its debate on macroeconomic policy questions.
New coalitions of support were needed to address collective security challenges in today’s multipolar world, the head of United Nations peacekeeping told the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today, emphasizing that future peace operations would require expert deployment, effective use of technology and adaptability to situations on the ground.
While the management of transboundary aquifers was critical to the success of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, States needed to approach the matter in a manner conducive to their situation and region, delegates stressed, as the Sixth Committee (Legal) took up the International Law Commission’s work on the subject today.
The human cost of the global proliferation of small arms and light weapons came under the spotlight this morning as the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) continued its thematic debate on conventional weapons, with delegates underscoring the importance of cooperation to strengthen relevant international agreements to save lives on the ground.
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budget) today considered the Secretariat’s request for a subvention of $16.24 million to keep the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia running efficiently in 2017.
