General Assembly Meetings Coverage

21 August 2019

SEA/2111

Speakers Consider Criteria for Area-Based Management Tools, as Negotiations on Draft Treaty to Protect Marine Biodiversity Enter Third Day

Negotiations on a new treaty on biodiversity in areas of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction centred today on whether areas requiring protection through area-based management tools - including marine protected areas – should be determined on the basis of “precautionary principle” or “precautionary approach”.

20 August 2019

SEA/2110

Delegates Consider Role of Capacity-Building, Technology Transfer, as Deliberations Continue on Treaty Governing Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions

Delegates working to draft a new treaty on biodiversity in areas of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction today weighed issues related to building capacity and transferring marine technology, with speakers outlining a range of views on how — and on what basis — those types of support should be provided to States.

19 August 2019

SEA/2108

Delegates Begin Text-Based Deliberations for First-Ever Treaty on Managing Marine Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction Areas, at Start of Conference Session

The process of drafting the first-ever treaty addressing marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction entered a new phase today as Member States began text-based deliberations, with a view to reaching an agreement by the first half of 2020.

1 August 2019

GA/12168

General Assembly Adopts Resolution on Enhancing United Nations Cooperation with Pacific Islands Forum, Pays Tribute to Late President of Tunisia

The General Assembly, by a recorded vote of 137 in favour to none against with 12 abstentions, adopted a resolution today urging the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum to strengthen their joint pursuit of sustainable development outcomes, while also underlining the need for coherent approaches to build resilience to extreme weather in the region.

25 July 2019

GA/12167

General Assembly, Adopting 5 Texts, Establishes 2021 International Year for Ending Child Labour, Promotes Cooperation between United Nations, Regional Organizations

The General Assembly today adopted five resolutions, establishing an international year to end child labour, fostering cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, and promoting a culture of peace.

19 July 2019

GA/12166

General Assembly Extends Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support’s Term of Office, Agrees on Format for International Migration Review Forums

The General Assembly today decided to exceptionally extend the term of the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support and adopted a resolution outlining details of international migration review forums and deciding to convene the first one in 2022.

17 July 2019

GA/12165

Complete ‘Unfinished Business’ of Protecting Female Sexual, Reproductive Health Rights, Speakers Urge as Anniversary Meeting for Population Conference Ends

Delegates called for finishing “the unfinished business” of promoting and protecting women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights, as the General Assembly today concluded its high-level meeting commemorating the twenty‑fifth anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development.

16 July 2019

GA/12163

Keep ‘Promise of Cairo Alive’ to Further Advance Women’s Empowerment, Speakers Urge at General Assembly Anniversary Meeting for Landmark Population Conference

Achieving continuous progress on women’s empowerment hinges on keeping the “promise of Cairo” alive, speakers stressed, as the General Assembly convened a high-level plenary meeting to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the landmark International Conference on Population and Development.

10 July 2019

GA/12162

General Assembly Appoints Four Judges to United Nations Dispute Tribunal, Accredits Major Group Organizations to Participate in Small Island Developing States’ Review

The General Assembly today elected by secret ballot Francis Belle (Barbados), Rachel Sikwese (Malawi), Eleanor Donaldson-Honeywell (Trinidad and Tobago) and Margaret Tibulya (Uganda) to serve half-time terms of office on the United Nations Dispute Tribunal, each for seven years beginning immediately, while also deciding to endorse the accreditation of several major group organizations to participate in a review of the United Nations overarching development strategy for small-island States.

3 July 2019

GA/12161

General Assembly Adopts 22 Draft Resolutions from Fifth Committee Reports, Agreeing on $6.5 Billion Budget for 13 Peacekeeping Operations

The General Assembly today adopted 22 draft resolutions and 1 draft decision forwarded by its Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary), thereby authorizing an annual United Nations peacekeeping budget of $6.51 billion for the 2019/20 fiscal year and requesting the Secretary-General explore options to improve the Organization’s cash position.