The global movement under way to stamp out international tax fraud was central to ending the booming illegal cross-border flow of money and capital obstructing realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Economic and Social Council heard today, as it wrapped up its Forum on Financing for Development follow-up with a series of expert panel discussions and related events.
Delegates today expressed support for a budget proposal to establish a new counter-terrorism office, as the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) took up reports on the Organization’s Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and on peacekeeping missions in Abyei and Lebanon.
Despite 15 years of steadily growing international attention to the question of protecting civilians in conflict situations, life in war zones around the world remained grim, with suffering “pushed to the limits” as cities turned into “death traps”, the Security Council heard today as it held an open debate on attacks against medical personnel and facilities.
The Economic and Social Council Forum on Financing for Development follow-up opened its expert segment today with a panel discussion and set of three thematic round tables dedicated to garnering the vast resources required to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Taking up three texts on the role of professional translation, and cooperation between the United Nations and the International Organization of la Francophonie, the General Assembly adopted two draft resolutions and a draft decision today.
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations today recommended 46 entities for special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, while deferring action on the status of 48 others.
The national dialogue just launched in South Sudan by President Salva Kiir would only be credible if opposition groups genuinely participated, the senior United Nations official in that country said today, as he briefed the Security Council on the significant military, humanitarian and political challenges facing that nation.
Unanimously adopting a resolution today that featured a new framework developed by its Counter-Terrorism Committee, the Security Council urged Member States to follow a number of concrete guidelines aimed at countering the narratives used by terrorist groups and amplifying positive and credible alternatives to audiences vulnerable to extremist messages.
The Security Council today renewed until 31 May 2018 a raft of sanctions, including a travel ban and asset freeze imposed by resolution 2206 (2015) on those designated to be blocking peace, security and stability in South Sudan.
Noting that the current global trajectory would not fully eradicate poverty by 2030 target date, the Economic and Social Council’s financing for development follow-up forum closed its ministerial segment today with a pledge to take concrete, immediate steps to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and expedite implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.
