Meetings Coverage

The expansive “surge” of United Nations peacekeeping of past years had reached a plateau and the priority now was consolidation of existing missions and accelerating reforms, the Under-Secretary-General of Peacekeeping Operations said today, as he introduced briefings by five Force Commanders to the Security Council.

The Security Council this morning extended the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) for another year, until 31 July 2011, calling on Member States for continued support. Through the unanimous adoption of resolution 1936 (2010), the Council determined that the mandate of the Mission would remain unchanged, taking into account the request of the Iraqi Government, but expressed an intention to review the mandate in 12 months or sooner, if requested by the Government.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq called on that country’s leaders to show a “higher sense of urgency” in forming a new Government through an inclusive process, while urging continued support for the country from the international community, as he addressed the Security Council this morning.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Kosovo told the Security Council this afternoon that the issuance of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the declaration of independence of that territory could end the deadlock in progress on outstanding issues which had held sway during the wait for the Court’s action.

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today reaffirmed its commitment to the spirit of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security and its integral link to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, as it wrapped up its forty-sixth session.

The Security Council this morning renewed the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) for 12 months while demanding that the parties to the conflict in the region immediately end the fighting as well as attacks on civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel. Unanimously adopting resolution 1935 (2010), the Council extended the mandate until 31 July 2011, requesting UNAMID to develop a strategy to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access.

The General Assembly this afternoon adopted by consensus, as orally revised, a resolution on the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, deciding also to establish a trust fund for victims, especially women and children.

By a vote of 122 in favour to none against, with 41 abstentions, the General Assembly today adopted, as orally revised, a resolution calling on States and international organizations to provide financial resources, build capacity and transfer technology, particularly to developing countries, in scaling up efforts to provide safe, clean, accessible and affordable drinking water and sanitation for all.

Reporting mixed progress in achieving the goals of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), its top official urged the Security Council this morning to support a “holistic” approach to ending the conflict and to promote the participation of all parties in the peace process.

With the inception of a new law and the country’s first shelter to assist victims, Albania was strengthening its arsenal to stamp out domestic violence, the South-Eastern European country’s delegation told the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today.