United Nations – Selected Press Releases [to 3 January 2014]
Secretary General, Security Council, General Assembly
http://www.un.org/en/unpress/

30 December 2014
SC/11722
Resolution in Security Council to Impose 12-Month Deadline on Negotiated Solution to Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Unable to Secure Nine Votes Needed for Adoption
The Security Council today failed to adopt a draft resolution calling for Israel, within three years, to withdraw from Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 and, within one year, for the parties to reach a negotiated solution to the conflict.

23 December 2014
GA/11606
General Assembly Adopts Resolution to Reinforce United Nations Emergency Humanitarian Response, Decisions on International Criminal Tribunals
The General Assembly today, nearing completion of its work for the main part of the session, adopted three draft texts on international tribunals and on bolstering emergency humanitarian response.
The General Assembly today, nearing completion of its work for the main part of the session, adopted three draft texts on international tribunals and on bolstering emergency humanitarian response.
Resuming its consideration of its agenda item on strengthening the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations, the Assembly adopted, without a vote, a draft resolution on international cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters, from relief to development.
The representative of Bolivia, speaking for the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, introduced the text, saying that it recognized the clear relationship between emergency response, rehabilitation and development, and reaffirmed that, in order to ensure a smooth transition, emergency assistance must be provided in ways that would be supportive of short-term and medium-term recovery leading to long-term development.
The draft resolution also emphasized the fundamentally civilian character of humanitarian assistance, he said, noting that it urged Member States, the United Nations and development organizations to prioritize risk management and to work towards a common understanding of risks and responsibilities.

22 December 2014
SC/11720
Security Council, in Divided Vote, Puts Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Situation on Agenda following Findings of Unspeakable Human Rights Abuses
Concerted action by the international community was needed following a Human Rights Council report on appalling, systematic abuses in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, high United Nations officials told the Security Council today, following a procedural vote of 11 in favour to 2 against (China, Russian Federation), with 2 abstentions (Chad, Nigeria) that put the situation on the body’s agenda.

23 December 2014
SG/SM/16436-DC/3537-L/T/4440
Secretary-General Says Arms Trade Treaty’s Entry into Force Is Testimony of International Commitment to Stop Irresponsible Arms Transfers
Secretary-General
Press Release
The following statement by UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon was issued today:
Tomorrow, 24 December 2014, the Arms Trade Treaty will enter into force.
This marks the opening of a new chapter in our collective efforts to bring responsibility, accountability and transparency to the global arms trade. From now on, the States parties to this important Treaty will have a legal obligation to apply the highest common standards to their international transfers of weapons and ammunition.