Meetings Coverage and Press Releases

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Press Release

ORG/1711

COVID-19 Impacting Global Security with Heightened Volatility, Increased Threats to United Nations Personnel, Secretary-General Says in New Report

The global security environment has entered a phase of heightened and extended volatility, with increased threats of civil unrest and a steady rise in instability across the globe, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres says in his report on the “Safety and Security of Humanitarian Personnel and Protection of United Nations Personnel”, released today.

GA/DIS/3655

Directors of Regional Centres Call for More Funding to Advance Disarmament Goals, as First Committee Holds Virtual Dialogue, Highlighting Progress amid Pandemic

Highlighting progress made amid COVID‑19 pandemic-related challenges, directors of United Nations regional centres called for increased funding to further advance arms reduction initiatives, while the heads of related entities presented reports on their activities, as the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) held the final virtual informal interactive dialogue of its seventy‑fifth session today.

SG/SM/20383

Stressing Constant Increase of Global Military Spending Must End, Secretary-General Warns Gains in Achieving Women, Peace, Security Agenda Too Slow, Easily Reversible

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the high-level event of the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network “20 Years after United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325: Leadership and Concrete Action to Realize the Women, Peace and Security Agenda”, held today:

GA/SHC/4306

As COVID-19 Crisis Unfolded, Human Rights Council Moved Fast to Address Evolving Ground Conditions, its President Tells Third Committee amid Calls for Fairness

As the COVID‑19 crisis unfolded into a human rights emergency, the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and its mandate holders quickly mobilized to carry out their work despite multiple challenges, its President told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, as some delegates raised questions about bias and favouritism.