United Nations Committee
The New York City Bar Association’s United Nations Committee engages in the same broad range of substantive issues that concern UN Member States and UN agencies, including peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, human rights, disarmament, terrorism, humanitarian and health emergencies, gender equality, good governance, and more. As attorneys, we approach such issues from the perspective of the law, thus helping to advance international legal norms. Current areas of concern include the post-2015 development agenda (the “Sustainable Development Goals” also known as “Agenda 2030”) and most specifically Goal #16, focused on good governance, access to justice, and rule of law. We are also focused on the outcomes and implementation of the World Humanitarian Summit, the selection process for a new UN Secretary General in 2016, and the responsibility of UN Peacekeepers both to protect and to respect human rights norms. The Committee hosts events with speakers active in the international community; drafts reports and op-eds; advocates with international organizations and governments; and publishes UN Update, a weekly compilation of UN-related events and a review of significant developments within the UN system. Subscribe for the UN Update here.
Want to learn more about the UN Committee? View the UN Committee Mission Statement.
Of Interest
Huffington Post blog–Secretary-General’s Synthesis Report on Post-2015 Agenda: A Missed Opportunity–by UN Committee Chair Ulysses Smith
Huffington Post blog–New Global Child Support Convention Holds Promise for Millions of Children Worldwide–by UN Committee Chair Ulysses Smith and student member Menaka Nayar – May 2014
Radio France sound bite on Western Sahara with UN Committee Chair Ulysses Smith (MP3) November 2013
Lieberman, Amy. “New York City and the UN: Cool but Useful Partners.” PassBlue. 5 September 2013
Policy Recommendations for New York City’s Next Mayor (PDF)
Statement of Ulysses S. Smith on Behalf of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York to the United Nations Special Political and Decolonization Committee Oct 6, 2011 (PDF)
