In progress at UNHQ

Amid Spreading Conflict, Rising Tensions, Ancient Olympic Truce Still Relevant, Secretary‑General Says in Video Message for Winter Games’ Torch Relay Ceremony

SG/SM/18760

Following is the text of UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ video message in Olympia, Greece for the torch relay ceremony for the Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea:

As Sixth Committee Continues International Law Commission Report Review, Delegates Tackle Legal Effects of Provisionally Applied Treaties

GA/L/3555

As the Sixth Committee (Legal) continued its consideration of the report of the International Law Commission today, delegates delved into the topic, “Provisional application of treaties” and the related draft guidelines, spotlighting the legal differences between treaties that were provisionally applied versus ones that were in full force.  (For background, see Press Release GA/L/3554).

Speakers Concerned about Impact of Employee Benefits Liabilities on Regular Budget, as Fifth Committee Examines Board of Auditors’ Reports

GA/AB/4248

While welcoming the overall sound financial health of the United Nations, delegates in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) meeting today expressed concern about the potential of the employee benefits liabilities decimating the regular budget over time should it remain unfunded.

Experts Urge Governments, United Nations to Ensure Greater Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities, Albinism, as Third Committee Continues Human Rights Debate

GA/SHC/4210

States and international organizations must take simple, practical measures to ensure inclusivity, experts told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today as delegates debated the human rights of persons with disabilities, alongside broader freedoms of expression, belief and religion in an era of growing intolerance.

Occupation, Natural Resource Exploitation by Israel Hindering Social, Economic Gains in Palestinian Lands, Syrian Golan, Delegates Tell Second Committee

GA/EF/3485

Israeli occupation and natural resource exploitation continued to hamper social and economic development in the occupied State of Palestine and the Syrian Golan, speakers told the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) as it discussed those territories today.