The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) began its general debate on decolonization and related items today, with many speakers emphasizing the need to resolve the questions of the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories, more than six decades after the General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.

The Security Council today authorized deployment of a Multinational Security Support Mission, headed by Kenya, in close cooperation and coordination with the Government of Haiti, for an initial period of 12 months, with a review after nine.

As developing States face compounding crises of onerous debt, extreme poverty and the costs of climate change, “business as usual is not viable” in steering the dangerously off-track Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) back towards progress, speakers warned today as the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) opened its annual general debate.

Organized criminal groups use technology in every step of their process, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) heard today, as delegates highlighted the many scourges stemming from human trafficking and outlined ways to prevent crime and combat the illicit trafficking of drugs, corruption, terrorism and organized crime.

Abdoulaye Bathily, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the UN mission there, expressed concern today over the emergence of unilateral and competing initiatives on the reconstruction of Derna and other flood-affected areas. He urges leaders to agree on a unified response.

The Security Council’s programme for October will commence this afternoon with action on a resolution authorizing the deployment of an international police force in Haiti, its President for the month told a Headquarters press conference today.

Amid rising geopolitical tensions and the peace and security architecture under unprecedented strain, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) has a key role in ensuring disarmament will be at the centre of broader multilateral efforts at this critical moment in history, the body heard today at the start of its 2023 general debate.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for World Mental Health Day, observed on 10 October:

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has appointed Bakhodir Burkhanov of Uzbekistan as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Lao People’s Democratic Republic with the host Government’s approval.