Decolonization had been one of the “most defining issues” of the latter part of the twentieth century and beyond owing to the United Nations’ “untiring” efforts, but with 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories still on the Organization’s list, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today heard calls for completing the process through a common endeavour in the spirit of cooperation among all parties involved.
In progress at UNHQ
General Assembly
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) met today in a brief organizational meeting to adopt its agenda and work programme for the sixty-ninth General Assembly session.
Tuvako Nathaniel Manongi, Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations, was elected Chair of the Sixth Committee (Legal) on 18 June 2014.
František Ružička, Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the United Nations, was elected Chair of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) on 18 June 2014.
As the world celebrated the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the situation on the ground was deteriorating, with the summer’s conflict in Gaza having caused the worst impact on civilians of all that had preceded it, and Israel continuing to expand settlements, the Palestinian Rights Committee stressed.
Durga Prasad Bhattarai, Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations, was elected Chair of the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization Committee) on 18 June 2014.
Sofia Mesquita Borges, Permanent Representative of Timor-Leste to the United Nations, was elected Chair of the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee) on 18 June 2014.
Sebastiano Cardi, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations, was elected Chair of the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) on 18 June 2014.
Courtenay Rattray, Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations, was elected Chair of the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) on 18 June.
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today adopted the work programme for its sixty-ninth session and began its examination of the Secretary-General’s budget proposal for the United Nations operation to fight the Ebola outbreak, the Organization’s first-ever emergency health mission.