Recalling that stabilizing the security situation in the Central African Republic was the main responsibility of that country’s stakeholders, the Security Council today reiterated its appeal to the leaders of the ex-Séléka and anti-Balaka groups, among other armed groups, to “immediately and permanently” lay down their weapons, release children from their ranks and embark on a path of dialogue.
In two separate resolutions this afternoon, the Security Council decided to extend the term of office of judges of the International Tribunals handling serious crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda in the early 1990s, while requesting both courts to complete their work as expeditiously as possible.
Fresh from its first peaceful transfer of power from one elected leader to another, Afghanistan had made “significant” progress on its path towards a stable future, the United Nations top official in the Central Asian country told the Security Council today, encouraging the new unity Government to appoint a merit-based Cabinet, address budgetary pressures and launch its “ambitious” new programme of governance reforms.
The Security Council this morning renewed the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which has supervised the ceasefire between Israel and Syria since 1974, for an additional next sixth months, until 30 June 2015.
As the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) began its examination of the revised budget proposal for the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) for the biennium 2014-2015, some delegates expressed deep concern that sufficient resources would not reach the field, where assistance was most needed.
Sending a strong message to end impunity and to renew efforts to promote and protect human rights, especially for vulnerable groups, the General Assembly adopted 61 resolutions and seven decisions recommended by its Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) while deferring action on one draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Myanmar pending the issuance of budget implications.
Affirming that despite severe challenges in Syria the United Nations and its partners were delivering life-saving aid there, the Security Council this morning renewed for twelve months its authorization for those actors to use routes across conflict lines as well as specified border crossings.
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.
