Today’s world is one of “nuclear giants and ethical infants” that know more about war than peace and killing than living, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) heard today as it began its thematic debate on nuclear weapons.
The conclusion of a legally binding instrument on the right to development is a huge step towards its eventual realization, a United Nations expert told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, as delegates also discussed the widening development gap between the Global South and the Global North, the use of technology in facilitating and preventing contemporary forms of slavery and the right to privacy.
As the Sixth Committee (Legal) commenced its consideration of the scope and application of the principle of universal jurisdiction today, the debate revealed a rift in speakers’ understanding of its interaction with national legal frameworks and the possible risk that the perpetrators of the most heinous crimes might escape justice.
The issue of arms supplies to Ukraine was taken up again at the Security Council, putting on display divisions among briefers and Council members, with some contending that the unchecked flow of weapons dragged out the conflict, and many others defending Kyiv’s legitimate right to defend itself against the Russian Federation’s ongoing war of aggression.
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization), acting without a vote, approved today a draft resolution focusing on the work of the United Nations specialist body tasked since 1955 with examining the impact of atomic radiation on human health and the environment.
On 29 September 2023, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Al-Shabaab held informal consultations to consider the final report of the Panel of Experts on Somalia, submitted pursuant to paragraph 47(c)(iii) of resolution 2662 (2022).
On 28 September 2023, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Al-Shabaab held informal consultations to hear a briefing by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in accordance with paragraph 47(d) of Security Council resolution 2662 (2022) following the submission of the report of the Emergency Relief Coordinator, and in accordance with paragraph 5 of resolution 2664 (2022), on the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Somalia.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Volker Perthes of Germany as the Head of the Independent Strategic Review of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) mandated by Security Council resolution 2682 (2023).
As the Sixth Committee (Legal) concluded today its deliberations of crimes against humanity, speakers spotlighted the need for a universal instrument on preventing and punishing those crimes in the midst of geopolitical confrontations, including the recent violence between Hamas and Israel, while also welcoming further constructive discussions during the second resumed session in April 2024.
South-South and triangular cooperation not only enabled developing countries to obtain vaccines during the height of the COVID‑19 pandemic, but also enhanced resilience through the establishment of vaccine production facilities in countries like Brazil, Egypt and Indonesia, a United Nations official told the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today as it also discussed operational activities for development of the United Nations system.
