Second Committee

The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) of the United Nations General Assembly held its first meeting of the seventy‑fifth session today, introducing its new Bureau and approving its organization of work in a virtual format.

Concluding its programme of work, the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today approved 14 draft resolutions, including one expressing concern that proceeds from offences under the United Nations Convention against Corruption have yet to be disposed of in favour of the requesting States parties.

The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today approved 28 draft resolutions, including one emphasizing the urgent need to combat protectionism in all forms and rectify trade‑distorting measures inconsistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today introduced 16 draft resolutions and approved two, including one calling on the international community to condemn unilateral economic, financial or trade measures impeding development.

The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today introduced 26 draft resolutions and approved six, two by recorded vote, including one demanding that Israel end its occupation of the Palestinian Territory and the Syrian Golan.

Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories and the Syrian Golan violates international law and the human rights and living conditions of millions living there, speakers told the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today as it took up the issue of those lands.

With the United Nations striving to reform its development system into a more robust, reliable and accountable entity, delegates underscored the importance of sufficient financing, revamped country offices, host country relations and South-South cooperation, as the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) took up operational activities for development today.

Despite global progress in expanding use of the Internet and information communications technology (ICT), the digital divide between developed and developing countries remains wide, speakers told the Second Committee (Economic Financial) today as it addressed that issue.

With unilateralism, protectionism and inequalities casting a shadow on globalization, delegates underscored the importance of opening up trade and closing the digital divide in boosting economic growth, as the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) took up globalization and interdependence today.

Despite a significant reduction in the rate of worldwide extreme poverty, speakers stressed that eradicating it has slowed, especially in rural areas, as the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) met to take up that issue today.