The evolution of the rule of law in international relations would be at stake during the ninth Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, now underway at Headquarters, William Pace, Convenor of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court, said today.

Even with the lack of reparations, or even basic services for women victims of conflict-driven violence, justice for women was “still an afterthought”, Anne Marie Goetz, Chief Adviser on Governance, Peace and Security at the United Nations Development Fund for Women, said today.

The Secretary-General has just arrived in Cancún, Mexico, and, as you know, he will be opening the High-Level Segment of the Climate Change Conference there this afternoon.

The Secretary-General supports today’s certification by his Special Representative of the result of the 28 November run-off presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire. He accepts his Special Representative’s analysis and evaluation, taking into account all aspects of the outcome of these elections is in accordance with the announcement made by the President of the Independent Electoral Commission on 2 December.

Prompted by communications from citizens in the Republic of Korea, the International Criminal Court has launched a preliminary examination into whether forces of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea have committed war crimes, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, Chief Prosecutor, said at a Headquarters press conference today.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Côte d’Ivoire, Choi Young-jin, held a press conference in Abidjan earlier today, during which he explained the UN’s certification process of the presidential election. Choi said that the will of the people, as expressed on 28 November, is irrefutable.

At a Headquarters press conference today, top United Nations relief officials described their recent trips to Afghanistan and Pakistan to assess ongoing humanitarian operations and the future needs in those neighbouring South Asian nations, which have faced conflict, food shortages and floods.

The Security Council issued a statement to the press last night on Côte d'Ivoire, in which Council members noted the recognition by the Economic Community of West African States of Alassane Ouattara as President-elect of Côte d'Ivoire. Council members called on all stakeholders to respect the outcome of the election.

Today is Human Rights Day, and the Secretary-General spoke at a number of events, including one on ending violence and criminal sanctions based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The United Nations has launched an appeal for nearly $530 million in 2011 to help humanitarian groups operating in Somalia meet the basic needs of 2 million of the war-ravaged country’s most vulnerable people, officials of the world body said today at a Headquarters press conference.