The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today explored ways to make the United Nations more accountable, transparent and effective through better oversight, with delegates stressing the need to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse and to protect civilians.
The Economic and Social Council today adopted a decision (document E/2017/L.4), by which it recommended that the General Assembly decide on enlarging the membership of the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) from 98 to 101 States at its seventy-first session.
The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) met today for a brief organizational meeting to adopt its agenda and work programme for the seventy-first session of the General Assembly.
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today approved its work programme for the seventy-first session, which covers topics ranging from the decolonization of the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories, to peaceful uses of outer space, to the plight of Palestinian refugees and Israel’s practices in Occupied Arab Territories.
Members of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today urged each other to work together during the current session as they tackled a complex and ambitious agenda that included forming an outline for the Organization’s two-year multi-billion-dollar budget for 2018-2019 and financing of the new blueprint for global advancement known as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Warning that “Syria is bleeding and its citizens are dying” in increasing numbers and with increasing ferocity, the United Nations top humanitarian official urged the Security Council today to find common humanity and restore the cessation of hostilities to protect civilians, save lives and end the “unbridled horror”.
Ending attacks on medical workers, facilities and transports in conflict hotspots — including by several of its own permanent members — must remain an urgent priority for the Security Council, speakers emphasized today as the body convened to consider hospital bombings in embattled Aleppo, Syria’s largest city.
Holding its first meeting of the General Assembly, the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today introduced the Bureau and approved its organization of work.
Despite yet another delay in Somalia’s planned elections — the first national polls held since 1969 — the country remained committed to advancing hard-won democratic progress and electing a new President on 30 November, the Security Council heard this morning as it was briefed by top officials from the United Nations, the African Union and the Somali Government.
Spotlighting examples of persistent inequality around the globe – from skewed banking practices to entrenched poverty to lingering systemic racism – world leaders participating in the final day of the General Assembly’s seventy-first annual debate nevertheless expressed optimism that efforts to promote equitable growth, peace and prosperity would prevail.
