With the New Urban Agenda crucial to sustainable human development, Member States were urged to strengthen the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN‑Habitat), as the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today addressed the role of cities and other issues faced by developing countries.
Nine nuclear-armed countries had claimed the right to determine the life and death of everyone on Earth, but all Member States had a voice and the vote to protect the world from catastrophe, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) heard today as it began its thematic segment.
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today approved five draft resolutions, including three by recorded vote, and one draft decision concerning decolonization and related agenda items, as it concluded its general debate on decolonization.
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today considered the Secretary-General’s request for $767.1 million to fund 38 special political missions in 2023, with several delegations renewing calls for a separate budget to be established to address their requirements. Delegates also raised the issue of equitable geographic representation and highlighted the disconnect between decision-making and funding of the missions.
Growing disparity between international standards and reality on the ground is generating mistrust between peoples and communities, experts told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, as delegates expressed grave concern over the human rights situations in Ukraine, China, Afghanistan, Belarus, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Iran, Syria and Yemen.
Parties to the conflict in Yemen had yet to agree on extending their truce, resulting in fresh uncertainty and a heightened risk for violence, the United Nations top official for Yemen told the Security Council today as members urged all parties to the conflict, particularly the Houthi militia, to exhibit cooperation and flexibility, and return to the negotiating table.
Outlining a brighter financial picture for the Organization than in recent years, the United Nations top management official told delegates of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today that structural changes approved in June at their second resumed session have eased the need for spending restrictions.
Delegates alternately urged action and caution as they took up the International Law Commission’s draft articles on State responsibility for internationally wrongful acts in the Sixth Committee (Legal) today, highlighting the ongoing stalemate in the Committee’s consideration of a product that has shaped international jurisprudence over the last 20 years.
