The Sixth Committee (Legal) continued its discussion of the third cluster of topics from the International Law Commission’s annual report today, as delegates debated the weight that should be accorded to the decisions of international courts and tribunals in the context of the body’s work on “Subsidiary means for the determination of rules of international law”.

Even if an algorithm can determine what is legal under international humanitarian law, it can never determine what is ethical, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) heard today after it approved a new draft resolution on lethal autonomous weapons systems (document A/C.1/78/L.56).

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that, on 31 October, 59 trucks carrying water, food and medicines entered through the Rafah crossing with Egypt. This is the largest convoy since delivery of aid resumed on 21 October, bringing the total number of trucks up to 217 since that date.

The responsibility to protect the world’s refugees continues to fall on countries in the Global South, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) heard today, as delegates also discussed their respective visions for the Human Rights Council.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Nepalese Parliament, in Kathmandu today:

As multiplying conflicts drive forced displacement worldwide, States must step up their support or risk the humanitarian system’s collapse, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, as delegates stressed the need to address root causes of displacement, share responsibility for refugees and find lasting solutions for the uprooted.

Keeping peace in an increasingly polarized and dangerous world requires clear mandates, adequate resources and stronger cooperation with local stakeholders and regional organizations, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) heard today as its general debate on all aspects of United Nations peacekeeping operations continued.

As the Sixth Committee (Legal) concluded its review of the second cluster of topics from the International Law Commission’s annual report, many speakers underscored the need for developing clear definitions of concepts and terms in both the settlement of disputes to which international organizations are parties and the prevention and repression of piracy and armed robbery at sea.

During a time of staggering displacement, conflict and violence, the growing workload of the Human Rights Council reflects the importance and relevance of its work, its President said, as the General Assembly today took up the intergovernmental body’s annual report.

The General Assembly today continued its emergency session on the situation in the Middle East, with many Member States echoing urgent calls for a humanitarian ceasefire and the provision of adequate aid to civilians in Gaza.