Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) High-level Conference, in New York today:

The following statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, as read out at the beginning of the Security Council meeting on peace operations, was issued today:

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Mahamat Zene Cherif (Chad):

As the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) began its examination of the first performance reports of the United Nations regular budget for the two years ending 31 December 2015, some delegates expressed concern over escalating costs, which could exceed $6 billion, a highest ever for the Organization.

The Security Council today heard a briefing by the Chair of its Libya Sanctions Committee, detailing steps taken to prevent the illegal diversion of arms, adjust its sanctions list and facilitate access to the strife-ridden North African country by the Panel of Experts which monitors those measures.

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) signalled its approval this afternoon to extend the terms of office of judges of the United Nation Dispute Tribunal, while stating its preference for the aims and makeup of an independent judicial panel to assess the Organization’s formal system of administering justice.

Commending the African Union for its growing role in peace and security in its region, the Security Council today stressed the importance of building a stronger and more cohesive partnership between it and the United Nations in conflict prevention and resolution, rapid response to emerging crises, protection of children and peacebuilding.

Following are UN Secretary‑General Ban Ki‑moon’s remarks, as delivered, to the Security Council on Peace Operations: The United Nations-African Union Partnership and its Evolution, in New York today:

The Secretary-General condemned today’s attack on a school in Pakistan, which took the lives of more than 130 people, the majority children.  He extended his condolences to the people, Government and those touched by the tragedy, and urged the Government of Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice.

As the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today examined the financing of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, delegates expressed concern that funding shortfalls were hindering the judicial mechanism’s ability to discharge its mandate.