Meetings Coverage and Press Releases

In progress at UNHQ

Meetings Coverage

SC/9771

United Nations Mission in Central African Republic, Chad Continues to Build Confidence in Region, Balancing Deployment Delays with Solid Progress

Despite challenges, the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) had continued to build confidence through a series of high-profile operations to deter criminality and provide a security umbrella for the protection of civilians and various processes under way on the ground, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmond Mulet told the Security Council today.
GA/SPD/434

Space Technologies of Infinite Value, but Carry Double-Edged Potential for Good or Evil, Fourth Committee Hears, Warned of Possible Militarization of Space

As the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) concluded its general debate on the peaceful uses of outer space this afternoon, delegates greeted the increase in the number of countries focusing on outer space issues, affirming space technologies as of “inestimable value” to the Earth’s population, but warned at the same time of the danger of its militarization.
GA/SHC/3957

Third Committee Approves Texts on Crime Congress, Cooperatives, Year of Family, Women’s Anti-Discrimination Convention, African Crime Institute, Ageing

Continuing its wide-ranging discussion on the promotion and protection of human rights, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) approved six draft resolutions on a range of social-economic issues, including one that would have the General Assembly proclaim 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives.
GA/EF/3253

Despite Observance of Anti-Poverty Day, Huge Populations Still Afflicted by Hunger and Extreme Deprivation, Economic Committee Is Reminded

Five days after celebrating the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the international community still had a long way to go to erase the vast socio-economic inequities that existed from Argentina to Zimbabwe, several speakers told the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today, as it began its consideration of the eradication of poverty and other development issues.
GA/DIS/3397

Robust Regional Action, Combined with Strict Compliance with Arms Control Accords, Contains Arms Races, First Committee Told during Debate on Regional Disarmament

Peace and security could only be achieved with strong regional action and strict compliance with existing arms agreements, otherwise the present arms races would erect stumbling blocks along the road to stability around the world, the Disarmament Committee heard today, concluding its thematic debate on regional disarmament and security, with the introduction of eight related draft resolutions, and opening its discussion on the disarmament machinery.
GA/SPD/433

Debating Outer Space Cooperation, Fourth Committee Hears Growing Number of Actors in Outer Space Could Risk Security of Space Assets, Limit Scope of Peaceful Uses

While space technology was indispensable in addressing issues related to sustainable development and disaster management, the international community must work together for its harmonious use and prevent the militarization of outer space, delegates stressed today, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) continued its consideration of international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.

GA/SHC/3956

Ordinary People Throughout World Want Human Rights of Universal Declaration ‘Translated into Reality’, UN High Commissioner Tells Third Committee

The true test of the world’s human rights machinery was not found in lofty visions and goals, but in the lives of ordinary people struggling to work, eat and stay healthy, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) was told today during a day-long discussion on the promotion and protection of human rights.

GA/EF/3252

Economic Committee Is Told ‘Illicit Financial Flows’ Major Obstacle to Development, Reportedly Far Exceeding Official Assistance

Illicit financial flows represented a major obstacle to development and estimates showed that such flows out of developing countries were eight to 10 times higher than all official development assistance coming in every year, Norway’s representative said today, as the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) began its general debate on preventing and combating corrupt practices.
GA/DIS/3396

Time for General Discussion on Arms Trade Treaty Is Over, First Committee Hears, Seeking in One of Five Drafts to Prevent Diversion of Weapons to Illicit Market

It was the widespread view of the United Nations community that the time for general discussion on an arms trade treaty was over and the international community must move forward and consider the practical details of such a treaty, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) was told this morning, in connection with the introduction of a draft resolution on the treaty.