In order for global decision-making to be genuinely representative, the establishment of a world parliamentary assembly was imperative, said the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order at a Headquarters press conference today.

For the first time, the Security Council met specifically to consider cooperation between the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations, said the group’s Secretary-General, Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, at a press conference at Headquarters today after the Council’s unanimous adoption of a presidential statement on strengthening efforts towards common goals.

Justice and human rights aspirations, as witnessed in the Middle East and North Africa movements, ought to be captured by the ongoing discussions about the post-2015 global development agenda, a United Nations human rights expert said at a Headquarters press conference today.

There was a great need for States to ensure the safety and protection of human rights defenders in carrying out their activities without fear of harassment, intimidation and threats to their lives, the Special Rapporteur on the issue said at a Headquarters press conference this morning.

Investigations into human rights abuses in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea benefited from the use of public hearings, the man heading those efforts said during a Headquarters press conference today.

In order to enhance human rights, Governments and civil society should encourage a synergy between the freedom of religion or belief and gender equality, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief said at a Headquarters press conference today.

Armed groups in the Central African Republic had committed “indescribable atrocities” and “instilled widespread fear” among all communities, John Ging, a senior humanitarian official said today at a press conference at United Nations Headquarters.

Gaza was “at the point of near catastrophe”, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory told reporters today during a Headquarters news conference.

Ending child marriages, both in law and practice, and giving both boys and girls unfettered access to comprehensive sexual education, health services, reproductive choices and contraception would curb adolescent pregnancy worldwide, a senior United Nations population official said at a Headquarters press conference today.