From being increasingly vocal on human rights to taking decisions on tackling non-communicable diseases, the General Assembly had taken great strides in its current session during an “eventful and demanding” year for the United Nations, the Assembly President told journalists today at Headquarters. Speaking at a year-end press conference, Nasser Abdulaziz al-Nasser outlined some of the achievements made over the first three months of his tenure.

Michelle Bachelet, the head of UN Women, has expressed great concern about reports of direct attacks on women for exercising their political and civil rights to public assembly and expression in Egypt. She called on the Egyptian authorities to protect them from violence from any side.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has confirmed today the deaths of two staff members and a colleague working for a cooperating partner organization. The attack took place this morning in Mataban town in Hiraan Province in central Somalia. Two WFP members of a monitoring mission were shot, as was a third person who worked for Doyale, one of WFP’s NGO partners.

The Russian Federation wanted Security Council action to end violence in Syria, but not if it would become an “auxiliary of regime-change policy”, Council President Vitaly Churkin said at Headquarters today.

In the face of inter-ethnic conflict, the Government of South Sudan, supported by the locally based United Nations Mission, had taken decisive steps to evacuate civilians and deter spiralling violence, a senior official of the world body said at a Headquarters press conference today.

The Security Council would hold five briefings, 11 closed consultations and three formal debates in January, covering the Middle East, justice and the rule of law, and cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union, according to the programme of work outlined by Council President Baso Sangqu (South Africa) at Headquarters today.

The Secretary-General was informed today by Josette Sheeran of her decision to accept a position with the World Economic Forum as Vice-Chairman upon completion of her term, in April, as Executive Director of the World Food Programme. He wished Ms. Sheeran great success in her new assignment and looks forward to her continued engagement with the United Nations family.

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, is in Khartoum today. She met with the Sudanese Minister for Social Welfare, Amira Al-Fadil, and they discussed the situation in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states. Ms. Amos said the Government and her Office had agreed to share information and data on the humanitarian situation and a mechanism would be established to ensure continuous dialogue.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq has strongly condemned the recent bombings in different parts of the country, which have reportedly resulted in many deaths and injuries. He urges all Iraqis to remain steadfast in the face of those who are using violence in its worst forms to prevent the country from succeeding as a democratic nation.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said today that United Nations agencies, with the support of the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, have launched a major humanitarian emergency operation in Pibor, Jonglei State. Around 50,000 people are estimated to be in need and a rapid response plan is being finalized.