It was ironic that the weapons that propelled and sustained conflict, causing a series of regional arms races in volatile parts of the world where non-State actors wreaked havoc on civilian populations, came from areas that enjoyed peace and stability, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) heard today as it embarked on its thematic debate on conventional weapons.

Amid the widespread use of sanctions and counter-terrorism legislation, more transparency and human rights impact assessments were needed when imposing unilateral coercive measures, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) heard today, continuing its consideration of the promotion and protection of human rights.

The Sixth Committee (Legal) today approved, without a vote, requests for observer status in the General Assembly for the International Civil Defence Organization, which promoted the development of governmental bodies and mechanisms to respond to natural and man-made disasters, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association, comprised of 20 countries, which focused on fisheries management and gender equality.

A powerful earthquake struck Badakshan Province in Afghanistan today, also affecting a large area of Pakistan.  Early indications are that the impact of the initial shock may be relatively light, but in Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority says that 148 people were killed and 815 injured.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

On 26 October 2015, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities removed the name below from the Al-Qaida Sanctions List after concluding its consideration of the delisting requests for this name submitted through the Office of the Ombudsperson established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1904 (2009), and after considering the Comprehensive Report of the Ombudsperson on this delisting request.

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the Singapore International Energy Week, in Singapore today:

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, delivered by Under-Secretary-General Susana Malcorra, Chef de Cabinet, to the event marking United Nations Day, today in Madrid:

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks for the unveiling of “Enlightened Universe”, in New York today:

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: