Briefing the General Assembly today, the Head of the Mechanism established to advance justice in Syria reported on that body’s continuing efforts over the past year, detailing its work with jurisdictions and investigations, but noting in light of increasing demand for its services that predictable financing through the regular budget and voluntary contributions by Member States are essential for it to continue serving the interests of victims, survivors and their families.
The General Assembly adopted today by consensus three decisions and five resolutions, including resolution the Fifth Committee’s (Administrative and Budgetary) first comprehensive resolution on human resources management in more than six years.
The General Assembly today adopted by consensus a resolution requesting an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change, with most speakers hailing the move as a milestone in their decades-long struggle for climate justice. The Assembly also adopted a resolution on the role of diamonds in fuelling conflict.
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the General Assembly on the request for an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change, in New York today:
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the General Assembly event marking the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, in New York today:
The scars of slavery are still visible around the world as disparities in wealth, income, health and education, speakers in the General Assembly emphasized, calling for transformative education that acknowledges this history, as well as concrete measures to address the resulting inequalities.
Speakers urged greater action to end long-standing inequalities affecting many groups worldwide due to the legacy of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade, as the General Assembly commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The General Assembly today adopted by consensus two decisions, one on the 2024 session of the Economic and Social Council and its high-level political forum on sustainable development and the other on the upcoming 2023 United Nations Water Conference.
The General Assembly adopted three consensus resolutions today, one under peacebuilding and sustaining peace and two under global health and foreign policy. The latter — which included a resolution on the high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response — notably saw the inclusion of a draft amendment, the rejection of a separate one and a recorded vote on a preambular paragraph.
The General Assembly adjourned its emergency special session on Ukraine today on the eve of the first anniversary of the Russian Federation’s invasion of that country, adopting a resolution that underscored the need to urgently reach peace, demanded that the Russian Federation withdraw its military forces and emphasized the need to ensure accountability for crimes committed on Ukraine’s territory.
