The gruesome crisis in Sudan has “darkened even further” in the last six months, the Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said today, citing a pattern of large-scale crimes against humanity that is being repeated “in town after town” across the country’s Darfur region.
NEW YORK, 16 December (Office of Legal Affairs) — The United Nations General Assembly adopted yesterday the United Nations Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents, a landmark treaty that extends the long-established benefits of maritime bills of lading to all modes of transport. For the first time in history, goods carried by road, rail, air or sea could be represented by a single negotiable document — on paper or in electronic form.
Since 10 December, the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region, Huang Xia, has held several exchanges with officials regarding the rapid deterioration of the situation in Uvira and its regional implications, including the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Burundi, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.
By a recorded vote of 139 in favour to 12 against with 19 abstentions, the General Assembly today adopted a resolution welcoming the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on Israel’s obligations in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organizations and third States in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The recent arrest by German authorities of the alleged Libyan war criminal Khaled el Hishri — and his expected imminent handover to the International Criminal Court — mark a major step forward in long-delayed efforts to bring accountability for crimes committed in the North African nation, the Security Council stressed today, following a briefing by the Court’s Deputy Prosecutor.
The General Assembly today elected Alexander De Croo of Belgium as the next Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for a four-year term. The Russian Federation objected to confirming the appointment by acclamation and requested a recorded vote. The Assembly approved the nomination with 172 votes in favour to none against, with 1 abstention (Russian Federation). Mr. De Croo will serve from 2 December 2025 to 1 December 2029.
The General Assembly today adopted a resolution reaffirming its strong support for the indispensable role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), before concluding its resumed debates on that Agency’s work and that of the International Court of Justice.
After three rounds of balloting, the Security Council today elected Phoebe Okowa (Kenya) as a member of the International Court of Justice, voting concurrently with — but separately from — the General Assembly.
The General Assembly today, acting concurrently but independently with the Security Council, elected Judge Phoebe Okowa (Kenya) as a member of the International Court of Justice, over the course of four rounds of voting, conducted during two meetings.
The past year has been overshadowed by threats, attacks, and coercive measures against the International Criminal Court and its officials, delegates warned the General Assembly, while underscoring the body’s vital role in advancing accountability and delivering justice for victims of atrocities.
