The Secretary-General, on behalf of international humanitarian organizations, is calling for $7.4 billion to provide urgent humanitarian aid to 50 million people in 28 countries worldwide.

Despite positive developments in the Gaza Strip since the Israeli blockade adjustment in the wake of the 31 May attack on the relief flotilla, 80 per cent of the population was still aid dependent, the top United Nations official there said today at a Headquarters press conference.

The recovery of the world economy had started to lose momentum since the middle of 2010, and all indicators pointed to weaker global economic growth, according to a new United Nations report, “World Economic Situation and Prospects 2011”, part of which was released today at a Headquarters press conference.

The Secretary-General has taken note of the preliminary findings by the international observer missions that the second round of the Ivorian presidential election on 28 November was conducted in an overall satisfactory and credible manner. He also recalls that his Special Representative has found the elections to have been conducted in a democratic climate, despite some regrettable incidents.

Prosecutors from some 20 countries affected by terrorism were meeting at Headquarters from 1 to 3 December to exchange information and best practices on how to bring terrorists to justice, the head of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) told correspondents today at Headquarters.

The number of the world’s deadliest conflicts has decreased dramatically in recent years, according to an independent study released today at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The results for the run-off presidential election that was held on 28 November in Côte d’Ivoire have been announced, and the Secretary-General requests all the Ivorian stakeholders and institutions to demonstrate responsibility.

The Security Council’s programme of work for December would include a high-level event on Iraq chaired by United States Vice-President Joe Biden, an open debate on resolutions 1820 (2008) and 1888 (2009) — both on “women, peace and security” — as well as a briefing by the Chair of the 1737 Committee on Iran sanctions, Ambassador Susan Rice of the United States, Council President for the month, said today at a Headquarters press briefing.

Close collaboration between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) was critical, IPU President Theo-Ben Gurirab said at a Headquarters press conference today.

The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the situation in Côte d’Ivoire. He has been in close contact with many world leaders, including the Presidents of Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Malawi. He is also consulting with former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who is in Côte d’Ivoire on the African Union’s behalf.