Amid rapid globalization and the scramble for natural resources, indigenous peoples had become victims of violence and even genocide on their lands, often due to their distinct identities, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues heard today, as it opened its fifteenth session amid calls for their full participation in plans for peace and reconciliation that directly impacted their lives.
The Fifth Committee (Budgetary and Administrative) heard today how the United Nations had sought to manage the costs of its far-flung peacekeeping missions, for which a budget of $8.25 billion has been proposed for 2016/17, down fractionally from the 2015/16 period.
Closing its thirty-eighth session this afternoon, the Committee on Information unanimously approved a report relaying two draft resolutions to the General Assembly, with a focus as in years past on increased multilingualism and support for the communications capabilities of developing countries.
Recent developments on the ground necessitated additional budgetary resources for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) heard today, as it took up resources proposals for a pair of active peacekeeping operations, as well as the final budget performance of several closed missions.
A profound political crisis engulfing Iraq was paralysing the work of the Government and Council of Representatives at a time when terrorist attacks were spiking along with civilian deaths and a grave humanitarian situation was unfolding, the chief of the United Nations mission in that country told the Security Council today.
The current El Niño was among the most intense weather patterns of the last 100 years, affecting the food security of 60 million people and requiring nearly $3 billion in humanitarian response, the Economic and Social Council heard today amid calls to mobilize global action by promoting early warning mechanisms, building capacity, investing in disaster risk reduction and enhancing resilience.
The transition process would undoubtedly be challenging, yet Bosnia and Herzegovina could move forward if all parties worked together and fully respected the Dayton Peace Agreement, the High Representative for that country told the Security Council this morning.
DAKAR, 4 May — Amid expressions of frustration, calls for new approaches to end the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian stalemate took centre stage this afternoon as the International Conference on the Question of Jerusalem concluded in Dakar.
DAKAR, 4 May — The International Conference on the Question of Jerusalem, entering its second and final day in Dakar, held a plenary session this morning on international support for resilience, protection and development in East Jerusalem, with many speakers focusing on the long-standing support of African nations to the Palestinian cause.
The financial health of the United Nations remained “generally sound and positive”, the Organization’s senior management official told the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today, adding that some areas still needed to be closely monitored and that Member States must make all efforts to meet their obligations.
