United Nation Bodies (2020)

The article analyses developments relevant to disaster law which occurred within generalist and specialised United Nations (UN) bodies during the course of 2020. In particular, it will address 1) the adoption by the UN Security Council (SC) of Resolution 25321 on the COVID-19 pandemic, through which the Council has for the first time called for a global ceasefire in connection with an international health emergency; 2) the discussion within the Sixth Committee of the UN General Assembly (GA) on the 2016 Draft Articles (DAs) prepared by the International Law Commission (ILC) on the protection of persons in the event of disasters; and 3) the adoption by UNGA of Resolution 75/216 on ‘Disaster Risk Reduction’. All of the documents analysed provide interesting insights on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the practice of states and international organizations which have had to confront this formidable calamity.