The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) met this morning to introduce 17 draft resolutions, including one on “World Tsunami Day”, which aimed to raise public awareness, promptly disseminate information through early warning systems and implement the concept of “build back better”.
Divergent opinions on the protection of civilians — including whether and when force could be used in defence of that mandate — emerged today as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) concluded its annual debate on United Nations peacekeeping operations.
Trafficking and targeted violations against women, indigenous peoples and other groups were among the national, regional and global concerns delegates raised as the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) concluded its discussion on the promotion and protection of human rights, introduced 14 draft resolutions and approved, without a vote, 6 texts on issues ranging from counter-terrorism to efforts to end gender-based violence.
Libya’s leaders had a unique opportunity to reach a political settlement that would spare their people further bloodshed, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in that country told the Security Council today, emphasizing that the recently negotiated Political Agreement sought to create a viable middle ground upon which all stakeholders could meet.
Speakers expressed unanimous satisfaction with the quality, independence, transparency and efficiency of the work of the International Court of Justice, and greater nuance in their responses to the International Criminal Court as the General Assembly took up the reports of those two bodies today.
Reiterating its deep concern at the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today approved a new draft revised resolution containing a universal declaration on the achievement of a nuclear-weapon-free world, one of 20 passed today.
The era of accountability and rule of law upon which to build the future of Libya may be within reach of its people, Fatou Bensouda, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, told the Security Council this morning as it addressed the situation in that country.
Concerned that cluster munition remnants killed or maimed civilians including women and children, obstructed economic and social development, impeded post-conflict rehabilitation, and delayed or prevented the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today approved a draft resolution urging all States outside the Convention on Cluster Munitions to join as soon as possible.
Delegates in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today reiterated a call for establishing a separate account for special political missions as their growing share in the regular budget, at above 20 per cent, distorted the United Nations’ finance and could usurp funding for development and other key areas.
During an eventful day in which delegations and visiting legal advisors heard an address from the President of the General Assembly, the Sixth Committee (Legal) concluded the first cluster of topics from the annual report of the International Law Commission and then commenced consideration of the second cluster.
