BAKU, Azerbaijan, 20 July — Against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the holy city of Jerusalem — sparked by the closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the imposition of restrictions on worshippers following a recent violent incident — the fourth International Conference on the Question of Jerusalem opened in Baku this morning, with speakers voicing concern that such actions could drive the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict into a religious confrontation with dangerous repercussions.

On 20 July 2017, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh) and Al‑Qaida approved the addition of the entries specified below to its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 2368 (2017) adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.

Briefing the Security Council on the situation in South Sudan today, the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations said the success of an Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) proposal to revitalize the 2015 peace agreement in the country would hinge on the degree to which the Government and opposition embraced it and committed to its implementation.

The Security Council today unanimously adopted a resolution reinforcing its resolve to adapt to evolving terrorist threats, encouraging Governments to update their methods for cutting off funds to terrorist groups, preventing their travel, banning them from acquiring arms and ensuring that sanctions were fully implemented.

Briefing the Security Council today on South Sudan, the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations warned that the security environment remains extremely volatile and stressed that the country needs an effective and credible ceasefire.

Turning promises into progress in achieving a sustainable future depended on harnessing a collective will and taking resolute action to meet the deadline set in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, speakers said today as the High-level Political Forum concluded its general debate.

The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development today adopted a Ministerial Declaration aimed at accelerating the pace of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to lift millions out of poverty, as it closed its 2017 session.

NEW YORK, 19 July (Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea) ― The Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf will hold its forty-fourth session from 24 July to 8 September.

Member States approved a decision on membership of and representation on the Security Council today, as the General Assembly adopted three other texts covering a range of issues and agenda items.

The United Nations refugee agency said today it is deeply shocked and saddened at reports of deaths and injuries suffered by internally displaced people in an aerial attack on embattled Mawza District in Yemen’s Taizz Governorate.  Civilian casualties are still being verified, but initial reports indicate at least 20 people killed, including women and children.