General Assembly

General Assembly wraps up work with approval of $5.5 billion UN budget for 2014-2015

The General Assembly today wrapped up its work for the main part of the 68th session by approving a budget of $5.5 billion for the United Nations to carry out its vital work over the next two years.

UN General Assembly honours Nelson Mandela

The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday held a special meeting to honour Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela who passed away on 5 December.

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General Assembly President laments lack of political will to reform Security Council

There are no shortages of ideas on how to reform the Security Council, the President of the General Assembly said today, adding that what is needed is a collective political will to tackle this longstanding issue.

Veteran diplomat thinks world is “on the right path” in promoting south-south cooperation

Solutions from developing countries geared at meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are being showcased this week at the Global South-South Development Expo in Nairobi, Kenya.

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Commission on human rights in DPRK to hold hearings in US capital

A UN-mandated Commission of Inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) will hold its latest round of public hearings in Washington, DC, this Thursday and Friday.

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UN General Assembly renews call for end to US embargo against Cuba

For the 22nd consecutive year at the United Nations, the General Assembly today adopted a resolution calling for an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba.

Indigenous peoples continue to face challenges, says UN expert

The rights of indigenous peoples continue to be violated throughout the world, according to a United Nations independent expert.

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Ban ‘encouraged’ by wave of diplomatic progress at UN General Assembly session

Top-level events during the opening of this year’s General Assembly highlighted the centrality of the United Nations, with a breakthrough Security Council resolution on Syria, and Iran and the United States using the world forum for overtures aimed at reversing decades of tension, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, summing up the week-long part of the session.

Developing countries call for more funding to fight poverty

A number of ministers from around the world, including Africa, were at the United Nations this week for a High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development.

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