Speakers in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today laid out the urgency of adequately funding the Organization’s 39 special political missions — which form a crucial part of its global peace and security pillar while consuming nearly one quarter of a regular budget facing a worsening liquidity crunch.

The General Assembly today adopted a special decision‑making procedure, including the use of electronic voting, for adopting draft resolutions and decisions when it cannot hold in‑person meetings under “the most exceptional circumstances”, such as a COVID‑19‑induced lockdown.

A series of tropical cyclones have devastated areas in the Philippines, Viet Nam, Cambodia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic since early October, United Nations humanitarian officials report, noting that the Organization and partners are seeking $95 million to help nearly 675,000 displaced people.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Khalida Bouzar of Algeria as the next Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, observed on 15 November:

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for World Diabetes Day, observed on 14 November:

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message to the ministerial event marking the twentieth anniversary of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, held today:

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the World Council of United Cities and Local Governments, held today:

Speakers called for a regulatory framework that will underpin international cooperation efforts when protecting persons in the event of disasters and assisting affected States, as the Sixth Committee today concluded its consideration of that agenda item.