General Assembly

Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations, was elected Chair of the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee) on 15 June 2015.

Durga Prasad Bhattarai, Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations, was elected Chair of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) on 15 June 2015. 

Brian G. Bowler, Permanent Representative of Malawi to the United Nations, was elected Chair of the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) on 15 June 2015.  

Andrej Logar, Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations, was elected Chair of the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) on 15 June 2015.

Karel Jan Gustaaf van Oosterom, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Nations, was elected Chair of the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) on 15 June.

The United Nations must step up its efforts to avoid further bloodshed following an escalation of violence and increased civilian casualties in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, a senior Palestine diplomat said today.

In addressing the world’s enormous challenges — serving waves of refugees in the Mediterranean, brokering necessary peace in the Middle East and managing the “existential” threat of climate change — speakers in the General Assembly today called on the United Nations to invoke the spirit that had underpinned its historic founding 70 years ago:  one of compassion and dignity.

From the mountains to the seas, from the Caribbean to the Arctic, global warming was a global problem, and small countries were especially at risk, the General Assembly heard today as it continued its annual general debate on the fifth day.

Keeping pace with the evolving security landscape was a collective responsibility that required a staunch commitment to conflict prevention — through building capacities, investing resources, and above all, heeding the call of the United Nations Charter to “unite in strength”, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, opening a high-level thematic debate in the General Assembly.

Continuing to address the broad range of challenges facing the global community, Heads of State and Government along with other high-level representatives hailed recent diplomatic successes, while decrying the plight of refugees and the crises leading to their flight, during day four of the General Assembly’s annual debate.