Meetings Coverage and Press Releases

In progress at UNHQ

Top United Nations Officials, Briefing Security Council, Highlight Drug Trafficking, Military Coups as Key Threats to Fragile West Africa

SC/9699

Top United Nations Officials, Briefing Security Council, Highlight Drug Trafficking, Military Coups as Key Threats to Fragile West Africa

While praising fragile West Africa’s steady progress towards lasting peace, senior United Nations officials warned today that a string of countries along the subregion’s Atlantic coast were fast becoming hubs for the trafficking of cocaine to Europe, and urged the Security Council to support efforts to tackle that emerging threat, as well as other challenges, including fallout from the global financial crisis and recent unconstitutional changes of government there.

Secretary-General Appoints David Tolbert of United States as Registrar of Special Tribunal for Lebanon

SG/A/1192-BIO/4094

Secretary-General Appoints David Tolbert of United States as Registrar of Special Tribunal for Lebanon

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed David Tolbert of the United States as the Registrar of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. He will commence his duties on 26 August. Mr. Tolbert is the second Registrar of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, succeeding Robin Vincent.

General Assembly Endorses World Financial Crisis Summit Outcome, Setting in Motion Sustained Follow-Up; Will Assess Millennium Summit’s Progress at 2010 Meeting

GA/10844

General Assembly Endorses World Financial Crisis Summit Outcome, Setting in Motion Sustained Follow-Up; Will Assess Millennium Summit’s Progress at 2010 Meeting

The General Assembly today endorsed the outcome of the Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development, which, among other things, outlined the need for sustained follow-up within the United Nations system to the issues raised during that historic meeting held from 24 to 30 June.

‘Time for Delays and Half-Measures Is Over’, Says Secretary-General, Calling G-8 Climate Change Commitments ‘Not Sufficient’, but Food Security Pledge Welcome

SG/2153-ENV/DEV/1060

‘Time for Delays and Half-Measures Is Over’, Says Secretary-General, Calling G-8 Climate Change Commitments ‘Not Sufficient’, but Food Security Pledge Welcome

The commitments expressed here today at the G-8 and Major Economies Forum (MEF) Leader’s meeting, while welcome, are not sufficient.  Much more needs to be done if Governments are to seal the deal on a new climate agreement in December in Copenhagen.

The time for delays and half-measures is over.  The personal leadership of every Head of State or Government is needed to seize this moment to protect people and the planet from one of the most serious challenges ever to confront humanity.

Security Council Condemns Renewed Insurgent Attacks against Government of Somalia, Deplores Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation

SC/9700

Security Council Condemns Renewed Insurgent Attacks against Government of Somalia, Deplores Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation

Condemning the renewed attacks against Somalia’s fledgling unity Government and war-weary civilian population by Al Shabaab and other violent opposition groups, the Security Council today demanded an immediate end to that offensive, saying it would promptly consider what action to take against Eritrea and others providing support to armed groups and foreign fighters undermining the peace and reconciliation process in the strife-torn Horn of Africa country.

Civilians Have Paid High Price in Campaign to Integrate Congolese Armed Groups, Dismantle Foreign Ones, Special Representative Tells Security Council

SC/9701

Civilians Have Paid High Price in Campaign to Integrate Congolese Armed Groups, Dismantle Foreign Ones, Special Representative Tells Security Council

Significant progress had been made in the integration of local armed groups into the Congolese military, and in their incorporation into its operations against foreign fighters, but the two processes had engendered serious humanitarian consequences for the civilian population, Alan Doss, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, told the Security Council this morning.
Subscribe to