As the Sixth Committee (Legal) concluded consideration of Cluster II from the International Law Commission’s Report, delegates expressed varying opinions about the draft principles on “Protection of the environment in relation to armed conflicts”, with some cautioning against the broad scope of the drafts while others stating that the provisions furthered the international community’s efforts to safeguard the environment.

The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today approved seven draft resolutions on conventional weapons and four others aimed at averting the militarization of outer space, as delegates stated their national positions on the best ways forward.

Highlighting the Organization’s developing partnership with the African Union today, senior United Nations officials also described the progress achieved in terms of the security of peacekeepers and gender parity, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) began its annual review of all aspects of peacekeeping operations.

More than 35 speakers today continued the call for accelerated progress towards women’s empowerment in conflict situations, as the Security Council concluded its open debate from last week on the women, peace and security agenda.

Amid a raft of recent rapprochements and revitalized peace processes in the Horn of Africa, the Security Council — fresh off the heels of a visit to the region — must do more to support women peacekeepers and civil society leaders on the front lines of conflict, the 15-member organ heard today.

Following are UN Deputy Secretary‑General Amina Mohamed’s remarks to the Security Council on the joint mission with the African Union to the Horn of Africa, today:

Heavy rains and flooding have affected 2.5 million people in South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and Uganda, forcing people to flee their homes and resulting in the loss of property, crops and livestock.  Higher-than-usual rainfall is expected to continue in eastern African this month and next.

The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today approved three draft resolutions on other weapons of mass destruction, including one on the importance of identifying perpetrators of chemical weapon attacks in Syria, while also hearing delegates reflect on action taken on nuclear‑weapon‑related issues.

The following is the text of UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ video message to the eighteenth general conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), held in Abu Dhabi 3‑7 November:

Following are UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ remarks at the Tenth ASEAN‑United Nations Summit in Bangkok, Thailand today: