As the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) began its examination of the first performance reports of the United Nations regular budget for the two years ending 31 December 2015, some delegates expressed concern over escalating costs, which could exceed $6 billion, a highest ever for the Organization.
The Security Council today heard a briefing by the Chair of its Libya Sanctions Committee, detailing steps taken to prevent the illegal diversion of arms, adjust its sanctions list and facilitate access to the strife-ridden North African country by the Panel of Experts which monitors those measures.
Commending the African Union for its growing role in peace and security in its region, the Security Council today stressed the importance of building a stronger and more cohesive partnership between it and the United Nations in conflict prevention and resolution, rapid response to emerging crises, protection of children and peacebuilding.
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) signalled its approval this afternoon to extend the terms of office of judges of the United Nation Dispute Tribunal, while stating its preference for the aims and makeup of an independent judicial panel to assess the Organization’s formal system of administering justice.
After a “dramatic year” that saw both hope for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and a devastating war in Gaza, it was critical for the Security Council to work towards an effective framework for progress, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process told that body this morning.
Reaffirming the need to build and promote a culture of peace in a world where hatred was adding new dimensions to old conflicts, the General Assembly today adopted without a vote two draft resolutions that stressed tolerance and dialogue.
Experts, United Nations officials and representatives of Member States exchanged views over two sessions today on the longer-term positioning of the Organization’s development system taking into account the post-2015 development agenda, at a dialogue organized by the Economic and Social Council.
In the 10 months since the adoption of resolution 2139 (2013), calls by the Security Council for the parties to conflict in Syria to end all violations of international humanitarian and human rights law had gone unheard, a top United Nations relief official told the 15-member body today, stressing that an estimated 200,000 people had been killed amid worsening violence.
Marking the one-year anniversary of the outbreak of conflict in South Sudan, which has killed tens of thousands, the Security Council today demanded that the clashing leaders in the young country fully implement agreements to end the hostilities, and reiterated its intention to consider measures against those impeding the peace process.
Recognizing that the Ebola outbreak had slowed national reforms, the Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia until 30 September 2015, outlining priorities in the areas of civilian protection, humanitarian assistance support, justice and security body reforms, human rights promotion and protection, and protection of United Nations personnel.
