Legal

The Sixth Committee (Legal) elected Alya Ahmed Saif al-Thani (Qatar) on 7 June.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the Day of International Criminal Justice, observed today:

In Syria, United Nations agencies and aid partners are trucking in emergency water supplies and installing reverse osmosis pumps in Al-Hasakeh city amid reports of another disruption at Alouk water station,  which shut down on 23 June.  Up to 1 million people in the region are affected when the station ceases to operate.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The final judgement against Ratko Mladić by the Appeals Chamber of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) is proof that perpetrators of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity will — sooner or later — face justice, no matter who they might be, the President of the Mechanism told the Security Council today.

Democratic Republic of Congo authorities noted the end of the lava flow from the eruption of Nyiragongo, as well as a significant decrease in tremors in the area.  Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge announced yesterday that people could return to Goma and the territory around the volcano.

The Federal Government of Somalia, in consultation with the United Nations, declared a drought on 25 April, with moderate to severe drought conditions impacting 80 per cent of the country.  Seasonal rains then began in late April and early May, triggering flash flooding that impacted 400,000 people, of whom 101,300 were displaced.

UNICEF announced today it has signed a long-term agreement with Moderna to supply vaccine for the COVAX facility.  Through the agreement, the agency and its partners will have access to up to 34 million doses for some 92 countries and territories in 2021.  This is the fifth vaccine-supply agreement it has signed.

On the heels of early consultations that many delegates described as being rife with challenges, the General Assembly today adopted a resolution laying out next steps for multilateral negotiations to draft a landmark global treaty against the rising threat of cybercrime.

In Timor-Leste, the United Nations is helping the Government amid the worst flash flooding and landslides in recent years that have damaged homes, road and bridges, affecting at least 10,000 people in eight municipalities.  The Organization has delivered sanitary and dignity kits, plastic mats and blankets to those in need.