On Tuesday, 17 October, at the invitation of the Chinese Government, the Secretary-General arrived in Beijing to take part in the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) concluded its general debate on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space today with the approval, without a vote, of a draft resolution on that topic, following the late withdrawal of a competing text.
As the world faces an onslaught of conflicts and challenges to international law, the growing docket of the International Court of Justice continues to reflect a wide variety of legal disputes involving countries from every region of the world and tackling questions that concern all of humanity, its President told the General Assembly today.
The UN disarmament machinery is paralyzed by widening geopolitical fractures, erosion of international regimes and the proliferation of regional conflicts, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) heard today, as it concluded its series of thematic debates for the session.
Ensuring greater participation of people with disabilities and tackling inequities in food and nutrition were among concerns addressed in briefings to the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, as delegates also engaged in interactive dialogues on the freedom of religious belief, the rights of minorities and the protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The importance of strengthening the participation of women for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security remained in the spotlight today as the Security Council resumed — and concluded — its annual open debate on the topic of women, peace and security.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that from Saturday through Tuesday 62 trucks travelled through the Rafah crossing from Egypt into Gaza, carrying water, food and medical supplies. Most of this aid has already reached hospitals, ambulances and internally displaced people.
The worsening tension, unspeakable violence and harrowing suffering must end now, UN General Assembly President stressed today at an emergency meeting on the situation in the Middle East, during which he condemned the killing of all civilians on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides and urged all parties to abide by international law and immediately allow for aid to access the Gaza Strip.
Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, observed on 2 November:
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) resumed its general debate on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, with some speakers expressing concern about a draft resolution titled “Space technology for promoting peace” (document A/C.4/78/L.5), which is being put forward by the Russian Federation.
