Plenary

The General Assembly met today to pay tribute to Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, late Emir of Kuwait, who passed away on 16 December.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks for the General Assembly Tribute to His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait, in New York today:

Acting on the recommendations of its Second Committee (Economic and Financial) and Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural), the General Assembly today adopted a total of 99 resolutions and 3 decisions on items ranging from permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people and eradicating poverty to combating glorification of Nazism and plight of refugees.

The General Assembly, endeavouring to complete by year’s end the main part of its current session, adopted eight resolutions today, covering issues that included promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, safe water and sanitation in health-care facilities, sustainable use of oceans and security challenges posed by synthetic drugs.

Save those who can still be saved in Gaza, the General Assembly heard today, as delegates also expressed alarm that the body’s recently adopted ceasefire resolution does not condemn Hamas.

Demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the General Assembly today adopted a resolution reiterating its insistence that parties to the conflict there comply with international law, all hostages be released immediately and without conditions, and humanitarian access be ensured.

Against a backdrop of climate change, devasting violence and acute humanitarian crises, the General Assembly today adopted three resolutions to strengthen its beleaguered relief system which struggles to aid millions of people in need. The Assembly also adopted a resolution titled “Assistance to the Palestinian People”, with many delegates noting the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Acting on the recommendations of its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) and Sixth Committee (Legal), the General Assembly today adopted a total of 50 resolutions and 13 decisions on items ranging from decolonization and the question of Palestine to the work of the International Legal Commission and restrictions on United Nations staff members from certain missions.

Member States today called for collective will to address cumulative pressures on oceans and their resources, which pose direct threats to people who depend on them, as the General Assembly adopted two draft resolutions in a joint debate on oceans and the law of the sea as well as sustainable fisheries.

With the sustainability of the non-proliferation regime under strain, the geopolitical context unpredictable, and perils to peace capricious and complex, the General Assembly today adopted 55 resolutions and 1 decision on the recommendation of its First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) with most failing to achieve consensus.