The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today approved its work programme for the seventy‑third session, which covers topics ranging from the decolonization of the 17 remaining Non‑Self‑Governing Territories, through the peaceful uses of outer space, to the plight of Palestine refugees and Israel’s practices in the occupied Palestinian and other Arab territories.
Given young people’s demographic weight, their voices should be amplified at the national and international levels, young delegates told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today as it concluded its general discussion on social development.
Civilians in Darfur continued to suffer the effects of a lack of progress in the peace process there, the Chair of the Committee that oversees sanctions on those impeding peace in the Sudanese region told the Security Council this afternoon.
As terrorist groups and their ever‑evolving tactics become increasingly diffuse and creative, United Nations counter-terrorism bodies — including the Security Council’s committees established to combat the phenomenon — must also remain flexible and adapt quickly, the 15‑member organ heard today, as the committees’ chairs provided an overview of their recent work.
The Security Council today decided to renew, for a period of one year, its prior authorization allowing Member States to inspect vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya, given reasonable grounds for suspicion that they are being used for smuggling migrants or human trafficking.
With international terrorism evolving into new, complex forms, the lack of a comprehensive convention has become a handicap and deterrent in the fight against the threat, the Sixth Committee (Legal) heard today as it commenced its first meeting of the seventy‑third General Assembly session.
Painting a picture of the obstacles to social development — economic inequality, social injustice, racism and issues affecting the rights of older persons — the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) opened its session today, with delegates calling for a greater international response to the needs of the world’s most vulnerable.
The Nelson Mandela Peace Summit concluded today as senior Government officials and representatives of international organizations called on world leaders to uphold the principles Mr. Mandela stood for — courage, humility and tolerance — to promote peace and stability across the globe. Speakers stressed that Mr. Mandela’s teachings are the foundation for global peace initiatives.
As the General Assembly concluded its high‑level debate amid calls for regional solidarity, multilateralism and respect for human rights, Assembly President María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés (Ecuador) said discussions over the past week underscored not only the relevance of the 193‑member organ, but the Organization as a whole.
World leaders underscored the continuing threats of terrorism and cybersecurity while urging protection of valuable principles such as freedom of the press and peaceful electoral processes, as the General Assembly general debate entered its fifth day.
