The Security Council today decided to authorize member States of the African Union to maintain the deployment of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) until 31 August.
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations today recommended 7 entities for special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, while deferring action on 75 others.
The global movement under way to stamp out international tax fraud was central to ending the booming illegal cross-border flow of money and capital obstructing realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Economic and Social Council heard today, as it wrapped up its Forum on Financing for Development follow-up with a series of expert panel discussions and related events.
Delegates today expressed support for a budget proposal to establish a new counter-terrorism office, as the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) took up reports on the Organization’s Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and on peacekeeping missions in Abyei and Lebanon.
The Secretary-General spoke today at the Security Council’s open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. He noted that despite efforts, civilians continued to bear the brunt of conflict around the world, and outlined three clear ways to improve their protection.
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council at the open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, in New York today:
Despite 15 years of steadily growing international attention to the question of protecting civilians in conflict situations, life in war zones around the world remained grim, with suffering “pushed to the limits” as cities turned into “death traps”, the Security Council heard today as it held an open debate on attacks against medical personnel and facilities.
The Economic and Social Council Forum on Financing for Development follow-up opened its expert segment today with a panel discussion and set of three thematic round tables dedicated to garnering the vast resources required to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message — “Investing in Peace around the World” — on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, to be observed on 29 May:
