Plenary

The International Criminal Court should be properly funded, particularly when it came to cases referred to it by the Security Council, the General Assembly heard today, as it concluded its debate on the Court’s report.

Speakers expressed unanimous satisfaction with the quality, independence, transparency and efficiency of the work of the International Court of Justice, and greater nuance in their responses to the International Criminal Court as the General Assembly took up the reports of those two bodies today.

The General Assembly would welcome the erection of the Ark of Return — the permanent memorial to honour the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade — in a prominent place at United Nations Headquarters that would be easily accessible to delegates, staff and visitors, according to a draft resolution it adopted today.

In the wake of allegations of corruption against a previous President of the General Assembly, representatives of the 193-member body today debated the function of and the selection to the United Nations highest leadership positions.

Many speakers emphasized the invaluable nature of intergovernmental negotiations to reform the Security Council, and suggested a range of possible changes to its membership, while discussing the future of the veto power, as the General Assembly today held its annual debate on Council reform and the question of equitable representation in the 15-member body.

The General Assembly today elected 18 States to serve on the Human Rights Council, the United Nations body responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe.

In a near-unanimous recorded vote, the General Assembly today adopted, for the twenty-fourth time, a resolution on the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba, despite resumptions of relations between the two countries.

Recognizing the potential of sport as a valuable tool in the achievement of peace and development, the General Assembly today adopted a resolution reaffirming its use to promote dialogue and reconciliation in areas of conflict during and after the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

This afternoon, the General Assembly reaffirmed its faith in the United Nations and its unfailing commitment to the purposes and principles of the 70-year-old Organization’s Charter.

The General Assembly today elected 18 members of the Economic and Social Council to serve three-year terms beginning 1 January 2016.