Delegates in the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) described today the myriad challenges they faced in combating the illicit drug trade and the related scourges of terrorism and human trafficking, calling for more cooperation and people-centred approaches, as they held their general discussion on crime prevention, criminal justice and international drug control.

Member States stressed the importance of the quadrennial comprehensive policy review and the value of South-South cooperation as the General Assembly’s Second Committee (Economic and Financial) held a debate today on operational activities for development.

Almost 18 months since the signing of the Mali peace agreement, the United Nations peacekeeping chief this afternoon called the Security Council’s attention to the absence of concrete progress in implementing the accord and the degrading security environment in the country.

The United Nations Disaster Assessment Coordination team and the Government of Haiti hope to conduct a joint assessment with other humanitarian partners today after Hurricane Matthew left widespread destruction, flooding and at least 350,000 people in need of immediate assistance in the southern part of the country.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea defended its nuclear weapons programme before the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today, with its representative saying his Government had no option but to build a nuclear deterrent in response to threats from the United States.

Deploring continued loss of life due to migrant smuggling and human trafficking off the coast of Libya, the Security Council this morning extended its authorization for Member States to intercept vessels on the high seas suspected of being used for those illicit activities, for a further period of one year.

In a meeting on revitalizing the work of the General Assembly, representatives of the 193-member body this morning debated various ways to make the United Nations system more efficient, inclusive and accountable.

Delegates in the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) shared the floor with youth representatives today, grappling with issues of inequality, unemployment and xenophobia that hampered young people’s advancement, as they concluded their two-day debate on social development.

The Economic and Social Council today adopted a resolution and decision on international cooperation in tax matters, as well as a decision on its working arrangements.

The rule of law, embodied in Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, was a goal in and of itself, as well as a critical enabler of all the Sustainable Goals, the Deputy Secretary-General told the Sixth Committee (Legal) as the debate on the principle commenced today.