NEW YORK, 20 October (United Nations Statistics Division) — Today, statistical offices, universities, international organizations, the private sector and statisticians worldwide join the Statistics Division in celebrating the second Word Statistics Day, promoting the invaluable importance of data in the uplifting of lives:  “Better data. Better lives.”

Delegates in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) once again threw their support behind an independent panel now examining the internal justice system set up in 2009 to resolve disputes for tens of thousands of United Nations employees around the world.

The Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) has agreed to convey to Member States the current trends in financing of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Al-Nusrah Front for the People of the Levant (ANF) (QDe.137) and any others designated as associated with Al-Qaida.  They are drawn from the assessment by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the impact of the measures imposed in Security Council resolution 2199 (2015), pursuant to paragraph 30 of the resolution, and the Chair’s summary of this document (S/2015/739).  The Committee also wishes to provide suggestions to Member States to assist with their implementation of resolution 2199 (2015).

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the Israeli and Palestinian people, recorded in Bratislava today:

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson’s remarks at the Security Council open debate on working methods, in New York today:

The immense, uncontrollable capability and indiscriminate nature of a nuclear detonation reached well beyond national borders, and leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) heard today as it continued its debate on nuclear weapons.

The use of the veto, cooperation with the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, as well as with regional organizations and troop- and police-contributing countries, and procedures to appoint the new Secretary-General were among topics addressed by speakers at today’s Security Council’s open debate on that body’s working methods.

Strongly condemning the recent upsurge of violence and instability in the Central African Republic, the Security Council reiterated today its decision to apply the asset freeze and travel ban contained in its resolution 2196 (2015) to individuals and entities engaging in or providing support for acts undermining the country’s peace, stability or security.

The Security Council today adopted its annual report to the General Assembly for the period 1 August 2014 to 31 July 2015.

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on United Nations Day, to be observed on 24 October: