Meetings Coverage and Press Releases

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Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict Needs Greater Adherence to Geneva Convention Protocols, Assembly’s Legal Committee Is Told

GA/L/3393

Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict Needs Greater Adherence to Geneva Convention Protocols, Assembly’s Legal Committee Is Told

As the Sixth Committee began its deliberations on the status of the Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, and relating to the protection of victims of armed conflicts, delegates expressed grave concerns about the accountability of Member States and urged greater compliance to all provisions in the Conventions and Additional Protocols.

Budget Committee Approves Consensus Texts on Contributions Committee, Statistical Report on Financial Situation of United Nations Organizations

GA/AB/3961

Budget Committee Approves Consensus Texts on Contributions Committee, Statistical Report on Financial Situation of United Nations Organizations

After approving two draft texts on financial issues for adoption by the General Assembly, delegates at the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) this morning backed the Board of Auditors’ role as a key watchdog of the Organization, while raising concerns about the procedure the Secretariat had used to create the Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Horrific Attacks, Mass Rapes in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Prompt ‘Major Internal Review’ of United Nations Mission’s Protection Activities

SC/10058

Horrific Attacks, Mass Rapes in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Prompt ‘Major Internal Review’ of United Nations Mission’s Protection Activities

The horrific attacks in Democratic Republic of the Congo’s restive North Kivu province in late July and early August, clearly underscored the importance of civilian protection and had provoked a “major internal review” of the protection programmes being carried out by the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission there, the head of that operation told the Security Council today.

Adopting Resolution on ‘Sport as Means to Promote Development’, General Assembly Recognizes Potential of Sport to Encourage Tolerance, Social Cohesion

GA/11012

Adopting Resolution on ‘Sport as Means to Promote Development’, General Assembly Recognizes Potential of Sport to Encourage Tolerance, Social Cohesion

During a day of lively and wide-ranging discussion on the significance of sport as a driving force for peace and development, and intercultural dialogue as a tool to ensure respect and the equal dignity of all cultures, the General Assembly adopted a consensus resolution recognizing the potential of sport to help attain the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, and foster an atmosphere of tolerance.

‘High Priests of Disarmament Content with Status Quo,’ First Committee Told, as Debate Intensifies Over Geneva-based Conference on Disarmament Gridlock

GA/DIS/3416

‘High Priests of Disarmament Content with Status Quo,’ First Committee Told, as Debate Intensifies Over Geneva-based Conference on Disarmament Gridlock

Asserting that the “high priests of disarmament are quite content with the status quo”, Pakistan’s representative told the First Committee that “the deafening silence surrounding the real priorities is pierced by a cacophony about the imaginary malaise of the Conference on Disarmament”.

Responsibility of States to Ensure Protection of Diplomatic Personnel, Premises Is Reviewed by Assembly’s Legal Committee

GA/L/3394

Responsibility of States to Ensure Protection of Diplomatic Personnel, Premises Is Reviewed by Assembly’s Legal Committee

The Sixth Committee (Legal) today took up and completed its current consideration of two items, one relating to the safeguarding of diplomatic and consular premises and the other relating to the report of the Special Committee on the Charter. It also concluded current debate on the Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions.

Better Global Governance Needed to Help Most Vulnerable, Stave Off Climate Change Meet ‘New Generation’ Challenges, Says Secretary-General in Marrakesh

SG/SM/13188

Better Global Governance Needed to Help Most Vulnerable, Stave Off Climate Change Meet ‘New Generation’ Challenges, Says Secretary-General in Marrakesh

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s address to the World Policy Conference organized by the French Institute of International Relations in Marrakesh, 16 October:

Delegates in Second Committee Stress Need to Adopt New, Targeted, Action-Oriented Successor Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries

GA/EF/3286

Delegates in Second Committee Stress Need to Adopt New, Targeted, Action-Oriented Successor Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries

Given the myriad challenges still facing least developed countries, small island developing States, and landlocked developing countries due to multi-dimensional global crises, the international community must work to establish a new, targeted and action-oriented programme of action at the Fourth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries next May, several speakers stressed today.
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