Sixth Committee

After concluding deliberations on the third and final cluster of topics in the report of the International Law Commission, the Sixth Committee (Legal) today approved without a vote two draft resolutions, the first on the report of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and the second on the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law.

Continuing their debate on the third cluster of topics from the report of the International Law Commission, Sixth Committee (Legal) delegates today sought clarity and balance on a broad array of elements covered by the three diverse subjects under discussion.

Following the Sixth Committee’s (Legal) concluding deliberations on the second cluster of topics from the annual report of the International Law Commission, the Chairman of that body introduced topics from the third and final cluster, before delegates embarked on their debate of those matters.

The International Court of Justice’s contributions to the United Nations were evident not only in its establishment of the Organization’s international legal personality, but by clarifying the Organization’s role and place in the world’s legal regime, as well as the scope of its powers with which it was entrusted, the President of that Court told Sixth Committee delegates today.

During an eventful day in which delegations and visiting legal advisors heard an address from the President of the General Assembly, the Sixth Committee (Legal) concluded the first cluster of topics from the annual report of the International Law Commission and then commenced consideration of the second cluster.

States had the obligation to cooperate with each other and with international organizations in protecting the atmosphere, delegations and legal advisors heard today as the Sixth Committee (Legal) continued its debate on the International Law Commission’s report.

Opening discussion today on the broad array of issues deliberated upon by the International Law Commission in its sixty-seventh session, the Sixth Committee (Legal) began with the first cluster of topics, debating the Commission’s approach to “Protection of the atmosphere” and its conclusions on the “Most-Favoured-Nation clause”, of which it had completed consideration.

The Sixth Committee (Legal) today approved, without a vote, requests for observer status in the General Assembly for the International Civil Defence Organization, which promoted the development of governmental bodies and mechanisms to respond to natural and man-made disasters, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association, comprised of 20 countries, which focused on fisheries management and gender equality.

As the Sixth Committee (Legal) began deliberations on the Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law today, speakers lauded not only the Programme’s fiftieth anniversary, but the achievement of its long-standing goal for funding of its core programmes to be requested by the Secretary-General in the regular budget.

Despite the persistence of divergent views on its role, Member States would remain committed to the work of the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on Strengthening the Role of the United Nations, the Sixth Committee (Legal) heard today as it took up the work of that body.