Completing its work for the main part of the General Assembly’s seventy-fourth session today, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) approved eight draft resolutions concerning Israeli practices in the occupied Arab territories and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and a draft decision on its work programme for the next session.
Delegates expressed concern today over Israel’s attempts to change the status of holy sites in Jerusalem, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) concluded its general debate on that country’s practices that affect the human rights of people in occupied Arab lands.
Speakers decried Israel’s excessive use of force during peaceful demonstrations today, citing more than 100 deaths and thousands of injuries, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) began its general debate on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories.
Amidst an investigation of misconduct allegations, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is working to address management issues and continues to provide vital services despite facing a funding crisis, its Officer in Charge told the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today.
Acting without a vote, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) approved a draft resolution on special political missions today as it concluded its general debate on that agenda item.
Funding, resourcing and training issues undermine peacekeeping mandates and the safety of “Blue Helmets”, delegates said today, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) continued its comprehensive review of peacekeeping operations.
Delegates highlighted the essential importance of adequate training and gender parity for the success of peace operations today, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) continued its general debate on the comprehensive review of United Nations peacekeeping.
Highlighting the Organization’s developing partnership with the African Union today, senior United Nations officials also described the progress achieved in terms of the security of peacekeepers and gender parity, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) began its annual review of all aspects of peacekeeping operations.
Acting without a vote, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) approved a draft resolution today, concluding its general debate on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
Warning about the increasing weaponization of outer space, delegates called today for a legally binding instrument to make up for deficiencies in the existing treaty, during a joint ad hoc meeting of the First (Disarmament and International Security) and Fourth Committees (Special Political and Decolonization).
Emphasizing that the benefits of outer space must be accessible to all countries, regardless of their development level, delegates said today that they should not be restricted to those with space programmes, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) began its general debate on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
Delegates highlighted the role of the Scientific Committee in informing radiation safety standards for the entire international community, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) approved a draft resolution on the effects of atomic radiation today.
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) approved a draft resolution today, by which the General Assembly would urge States to provide humanitarian assistance for victims of anti-personnel mines, as it concluded its consideration of assistance in mine action.
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) approved two draft resolutions today as it concluded its general debate on questions relating to information.
The Department of Global Communications has a responsibility to disseminate a positive narrative in a world where hate has once again found a voice, a delegate told the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today as it continued its general debate on questions relating to information.
Renaming the Department of Global Communications was a reflection of a shift in the way in which the United Nations approaches communications, the departmental head told the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) today after it approved three draft resolutions on decolonization issues before taking up questions relating to information.
Taking action on a series of decolonization texts today, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) approved five draft resolutions — three of them by recorded vote — and one draft decision for adoption by the General Assembly.
Delegates called upon the United Kingdom to withdraw from the territory of Mauritius in accordance with a recent ruling by the International Court of Justice, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) continued its general debate on decolonization questions today.
After calling numerous meetings on the question of Western Sahara for more than 40 years, it appears the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) is taking steps backwards instead of moving forward, a delegate told that body today, as it continued its general debate on decolonization.
Some petitioners described the desperate conditions in the Tindouf refugee camps while others demanded self‑determination for the people of Western Sahara, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) continued its general debate on decolonization today.
