From internally displaced people to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse, the United Nations development system and Member States must work together to support those who fall between the cracks, the Economic and Social Council heard today.
United Nations officials and humanitarians alike warned that the international framework created to protect civilians during armed conflict is itself under attack during a day-long debate in the Security Council today on that topic, as many speakers stressed that civilians will continue to suffer if existing laws are not enforced.
Six years after the Resident Coordinator system was repositioned to address fragmented United Nations support for development, countries are beginning to see results on the ground — but significant funding and staffing gaps persist, the Economic and Social Council heard today.
The security and humanitarian situations in Syria remain precarious, top UN officials told the Security Council today, urging an end to sectarian violence —particularly involving Alawite and Druze communities — and warning of a deepening economic crisis and financing shortfall that is preventing vital humanitarian aid from reaching those in need.
The solidarity of the United Nations development system is not only institutional, but also “human, immediate and deeply felt”, the Economic and Social Council heard today as it began its Operational Activities for Development Segment.
As the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) continues its second resumed session today, delegates will consider cross-cutting issues under their agenda item “administrative and budgetary aspects of financing UN peacekeeping operations”.
The head of the United Nations told the Security Council today that the “basic condition” for preserving maritime security is that all States respect international law, following which speakers in a day-long debate urged cooperation to address common challenges in this domain.
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) opened its 2025 resumed session at UN Headquarters today, recommending 72 entities for special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council and deferring action on 64 others.
A severe cash shortfall is forcing the United Nations to slash spending and freeze hiring, jeopardizing its ability to deliver on mandated programmes and exposing the Organization to growing reputational risk, the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) heard today, as Member States explored potential solutions to the liquidity crisis.
“We are doing this work because States are not,” civil society activists told the United Nations today at a special consultation on their initiatives to ensure accountability for Israel’s actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
