Despite raised hopes, the overall political, security and socio-economic situation in the Central African Republic remained “fragile and challenging”, the senior United Nations representative in that country told the Security Council today.

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks while introducing Wangari Maathai as a United Nations Messenger of Peace in Copenhagen today, 15 December:

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s opening remarks at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP15 High-Level Segment in Copenhagen today, 15 December:

Wrapping up its resumed 2009 substantive session, the Economic and Social Council today filled outstanding vacancies on a number of its subsidiary bodies, and heard briefings by key United Nations officials dealing with food security issues, as well as detailed review by its President on coordinated follow-up in response to the world economic and financial crisis.

Following is the statement by the Bureau of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People on Israel’s settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem:

In paragraph 3 of Security Council resolution 1854 (2008) the Council, inter alia, directed the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1521 (2003) concerning Liberia to update the guidelines for the conduct of its work, particularly with regard to listing and delisting procedures. On 14 December 2009, the Committee adopted updated guidelines for the conduct of its work.

Urging the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia to take all possible measures to complete its work, the Security Council today allowed several judges to serve beyond the expiry of their term of office to enable them to complete work on cases in which they were involved.

The Security Council, while urging the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda to take all possible measures to complete its work, today allowed one of its judges to serve beyond the expiry of his term of office so he could complete work on cases in which he was involved.

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the World Food Programme (WFP) “Safe Stoves” event in Copenhagen today, 16 December:

Progress in the coming year should allow the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) to hone its task of helping ensure the future stability of the vast central African country, Alan Doss, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, told the Security Council today.