General Assembly

The General Assembly, acting on the recommendation of its Second Committee (Economic and Financial), today adopted 38 resolutions — seven requiring recorded votes — and five decisions on a range of issues relating to strengthening the post-2015 agenda.  Those included external debt, creation of a new international economic order, the multidimensional nature of development and poverty, South-South cooperation, liberalization of world trade, promotion of new and renewable sources of energy, and problems of countries in special situations.

The Bureau of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People issued the following statement today:

As the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) began its examination of the revised budget proposal for the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) for the biennium 2014-2015, some delegates expressed deep concern that sufficient resources would not reach the field, where assistance was most needed.

Sending a strong message to end impunity and to renew efforts to promote and protect human rights, especially for vulnerable groups, the General Assembly adopted 61 resolutions and seven decisions recommended by its Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) while deferring action on one draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Myanmar pending the issuance of budget implications.

As the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) began its examination of the first performance reports of the United Nations regular budget for the two years ending 31 December 2015, some delegates expressed concern over escalating costs, which could exceed $6 billion, a highest ever for the Organization.

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) signalled its approval this afternoon to extend the terms of office of judges of the United Nation Dispute Tribunal, while stating its preference for the aims and makeup of an independent judicial panel to assess the Organization’s formal system of administering justice.

Reaffirming the need to build and promote a culture of peace in a world where hatred was adding new dimensions to old conflicts, the General Assembly today adopted without a vote two draft resolutions that stressed tolerance and dialogue.

As the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today examined the financing of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, delegates expressed concern that funding shortfalls were hindering the judicial mechanism’s ability to discharge its mandate.

The General Assembly today adopted, without a vote, six resolutions covering humanitarian assistance, the Programme of Action for landlocked developing countries and the role of diamonds in conflict.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic, which was established in April last year, would receive more than $628.7 million for the year ending 30 June 2015, should Member States approve the proposed amount, the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) heard today.