From the deserts of the Middle East to the forests of Africa, blue helmets are protecting civilians and stabilizing the most dangerous zones of the world, speakers from some of the largest troop-contributing countries told the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today as it continued its debate on peacekeeping.
Ransomware attacks on hospitals and healthcare systems can be “issues of life and death” and pose a serious threat to international security, the head of the UN health agency told the Security Council today, as several delegates echoed his calls for international cooperation to address one of today’s most damaging cyberthreats, while others questioned whether the 15 nation organ was the appropriate forum for the meeting.
As conflicts rage across regions and tensions rise in many corners of the world, it is more important than ever to work together in the pursuit of non-proliferation, disarmament, arms control and sustainable peace, said the Chair of the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today, as it concluded its work for the session.
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) sent the General Assembly five nominations for the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) today and delivered the names of 20 additional candidates for four other bodies, including the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), which plays a crucial role in helping the Fifth Committee examine the Organization’s budget and manage its employees.
The Sixth Committee (Legal) today took note of the oral reports of four of its Working Groups, deferred nine requests for observer status and heard from its focal point on revitalizing the General Assembly’s work.
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today began its general debate on United Nations peacekeeping operations, with senior UN officials emphasizing the importance of accountability to maintain trust in peacekeepers and calling for increased gender parity in missions.
Amid mounting geopolitical tensions and a surge in serious violations, it is “more important than ever” for the Human Rights Council to effectively fulfil its mandate, speakers told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, urging sustainable financing to support the organ’s expanding tasks.
The recent and fourth extension of South Sudan’s transitional period must be the last, the UN’s top official in the world’s youngest nation told the Security Council today, as he conveyed the people’s “deep frustration and fatigue” with their leaders’ persistent delays in implementing the peace agreement and in realizing their long-held aspirations for peace and democracy.
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) was unable to conclude its session today, as more time is needed to consider remaining drafts concerning nuclear and conventional weapons, and outer space, on which separate provisions and amendments will be considered, however, it completed action on all other scheduled drafts, approving most without a vote.
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today approved two draft resolutions relating to the global media landscape as well as United Nations communications, as speakers concluded the debate on this topic while highlighting information wars that are intensifying many current crises.
