General Assembly

Proper management of the world’s vast oceans — the lifeline of the planet — and its rich marine life was vital to end degradation of ecosystems, stem biodiversity loss and ensure the world’s food supply, delegates warned as the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States continued today.

The critical importance of partnerships, financing, trade, capacity-building and technology to address severe challenges facing small island developing States were highlighted today in Samoa as world leaders met on the second day of the Third International Conference on those nations.

With their very existence at stake, isle nations made a fervent call for urgent global teamwork and a new approach to address rising sea levels and the surge in more extreme weather patterns that were wreaking havoc on their communities, as the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States opened in Samoa this morning.

Reiterating that all Member States should strictly adhere to their obligations under the United Nations Charter to peacefully settle disputes and prevent and resolve conflicts, the General Assembly today encouraged those States, the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations to bolster mediation as a tool towards that end.

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

The United Nations General Assembly will mark Nelson Mandela International Day with an informal meeting on Friday, 18 July, honouring the South African leader’s contributions to democracy, racial justice and reconciliation.

The General Assembly today adopted a resolution by consensus that reaffirmed its support for the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development.

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

Funding of the global coordination mechanism to fight disease averaged just $10,000 per Member State — a paltry $1.8 million in total — the General Assembly heard today as it concluded its two-day high-level review of progress achieved in the prevention and control of non-communicable disease.