Meetings Coverage

General Assembly Debates Global Health Challenges, Report of Youth Office, Takes Action on Drafts on Several Topics

The General Assembly debates the report, transmitted in a Secretary-General note (document A/79/915), on improving international cooperation and multilateral efforts to address global health challenges and promote equity in health for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, prepared by the World Health Organization (WHO), pursuant to Assembly resolution 78/280, as well as discusses the Secretary-General’s report on the United Nations Youth Office (document A/79/986).

Preparatory Commission for High-Seas Treaty Continues Second Session

Continuing its second session today is the Preparatory Commission for the Entry into Force of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction and the Convening of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement.

Violence Outpacing Diplomacy in Democratic Republic of Congo, United Nations Senior Official Warns amid Surge in Civilian Deaths

Light of Diplomacy Dimmed by Rising Violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Delegate Tells Diplomatic gains fall short without a genuine ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, warning that the country is facing one of the most acute humanitarian emergencies worldwide.

Libya Still Mired in Political Deadlock, Fragile Security, Special Representative Tells Security Council, Outlining Road Map towards Successful National Elections

While the Libyan people have shown remarkable determination to exercise their democratic rights in recent municipal elections, the country remains mired in political deadlock, fragile security, economic hardship and human rights concerns, a senior UN official told the Security Council this afternoon.

Syria Needs International Support on ‘Epic Scale’, Special Envoy Tells Security Council, Stressing Threat of Renewed Conflict ‘Ever Present’

Syria needs tangible international support on an "epic scale", a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, as he warned that — while violence in Sweida has largely subsided following a ceasefire — the threat of renewed conflict is ever present.

Marine Biodiversity Treaty’s Preparatory Commission Discusses Cooperation, Rules of Procedure, as Second Session Continues

As delegates continued preparing for the entry into force of a treaty on high-seas biodiversity today, they both underscored the benefits of cooperation with relevant instruments, frameworks and bodies and cautioned that neither new nor existing mandates, operations or activities should undermine the other.

ISIL/Da’esh Still Resilient Global Threat, Top Counter-Terrorism Officials Warn Security Council, Urging Rights-Based Strategies, Steadfast Unity to Defeat It

Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh) remains a resilient and evolving global threat, increasingly active in Africa, and exploiting technology and financing networks, such as social media and cryptocurrency, high-level officials warned the Security Council today as they called for comprehensive, rights-based strategies and unwavering international unity to defeat it.

Preparatory Commission Considers Ocean Biodiversity Treaty’s Clearing-House Mechanism, Secretariat

As the marine biodiversity treaty’s anticipated entry into force draws near, at the forefront of discussions today was the mechanism by which information about treaty-related activities will be shared amongst States, with delegates debating the optimal size, composition and working methods for the informal group of experts that will be tasked with its operationalization.

Rise in Conflicts, Food Insecurity Putting Women, Girls Worldwide at Increasing Risk of Sexual Violence, Special Representative Warns Security Council

Women and girls face escalating risks of sexual violence, driven by intensifying conflict, deepening food insecurity and drawdowns of UN peace operations, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, warning of the devastating impact of sharply reduced humanitarian assistance.

Preparatory Commission for Marine Biodiversity Treaty Takes Up Financial Matters

The commission tasked with preparing for the entry into force of a high-seas biodiversity treaty continued its second session today, taking up matters relating to both institutional and participatory financing as a number of speakers stressed the importance of ensuring equity and inclusion for developing States.