The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) met today to introduce 36 draft resolutions, including one highlighting the adverse effects of climate change, such as persistent drought, extreme weather, land degradation, sea level rise and retreat of mountain glaciers.

The High Commissioner for Refugees described a new model for meeting the needs of millions around the world forced to flee their homes due to crisis, presenting his annual report to the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) amid calls for more equitable sharing of responsibility.

The General Assembly today adopted its annual resolution calling for an end to the United States-led economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba, expressing near universal concern over President Donald Trump’s announced intention to tighten the blockade, a reversal from the previous Administration’s efforts to normalize relations.

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks on building resilience to natural hazards, including tsunamis, and the need to reduce disaster risk for the Sustainable Development Goals, as prepared for delivery in New York today:

Refugees, trafficking in persons and other effects of current conflicts would be a thematic focus of the Security Council in November, Sebastiano Cardi (Italy), Council President for the month, said at a press briefing today at Headquarters.

As the Sixth Committee (Legal) concluded its debate on the third and final cluster of topics from the International Law Commission report today, delegates called for further clarification regarding the topic, “Protection of the environment in relation to armed conflicts”, as well as on “Peremptory norms of general international law”.

United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Luís Carrilho of Portugal as United Nations Police Adviser in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.  He will succeed Stefan Feller of Germany to whom the Secretary‑General is grateful for his dedication, professionalism and leadership on United Nations policing issues.

United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Alice Walpole of the United Kingdom as his new Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Kim Bolduc of Canada as his Deputy Special Representative for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), where she will also serve as United Nations Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Susan D. Page of the United States as his Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH).