A/31/PV.109 General Assembly

I call upon the Rapporteur of the Second Committee, Mr. Gerhard Pfanzelter of Austria, to introduce the Second Committee's report. NEW YOIIC 3. Mr. PFANZELTER (Austria), Rapporteur of the Second Committee: As my last duty as Rapporteur of the Second Committee of the thirty-first session of the General Assembly, I have the honour to submit that Committee'. reporton agenda item 66 [A/31/335/Add.2}. 4. Mainly in informal consultations, the Committee considered a draft resolution fA/C.2/31/L.95} introduced on 14 September by Pakistan on behalfof the States Memben of the United Nations which are members of the Groupof 77. The resolution is now contained in paragraph 3 of the report. No agreement could be reached on this draft resolution.

May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of part III of the reportof the Second Committee? If I hearno objection, it will beso decided.

I shall now call uponthose representatives who wish to explain their positions on the Second Committee's report. 7. The first speaker is the representative of Bulgaria, who will speakon behalf of the Eastern European States.

In connexion with the report of the Second Committee on its work at the resumed thirty·first session of the General Assembly, contained in document A/31/335/Add.2, I have the honour, on behalf of the delegations of ehe Byelorul. sian Soviet Socialist Republic, the Hungarian People's Republic, the German Democratic Republic, the Mongolian People's Republic, the Polish People's Republic, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the People's Republic of Bulgaria, to make the following statement. 9. First, the restructuring of international economic relations on a democratic basis and the elimination from such relations of discrimination, diktat and inequality are major requlrements of modern times. As a result of the relaxation of international tensions achieved in recent years, which i. becoming a factor contributing to the development of international economic relations, new opportunities have opened up for the transformation of the antiquated international capitalist system of divi~ion of labourimposed as far back as during the era of colonlaltsm. These new opportunities have been reflected in the Declaration and Programme of Action on the Establishment of the New International Economic Order[resoluttons 320/ (8-VI)and .1202 (S·VI)} and the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States [resolution 3281 (XX/X)}, which were adopted by the United Nations. 11. Secondly, the establishment for the first time in history of genuinely equal andmutually beneficial relations of a new type within the socialist community is a decisive contribution to the restructuring of international relations as a whole. The socialist countries support the establishment of the new international economic order, which reflects the demands of the developing countries for radical changes in the foundations of their present relations with the developed capitalist couatries. This signifies, above all, that the process of the elimination of colonialism must be extended to the economic sphere and that the oppression by the imperialist multinational monopolies andthe exploitationof thenatural and human resources of the developing countries by the developed capitalist countries must be brought to anend. 12. Thirdly, the socialist countries base their economic relations with developing countries on strict observance of equality, mutual advantage and non-interference in internal affairs. We provide, and shall continue to provide, comprehensive assistance to developing countries in forms which are in conformity with the socialist social system and the interests of the developing countries themselves. By this we mean genuine assistance, not economic activities in the developing countries which in fact promote foreign private capital and are aimed at maintaining economic backwardness and intensifying the policy of continued exploitation of the natural and human resources of the developing countries. 13. Fourthly, attempts to distort reality and without any reason to involve the socialist community in the scheme of dividing countries into rich and poor, thereby putting socialist countries on a par with imperialist Powers as regards the historical responsibility for the economic backwardness of the developing countries, for the consequences of colonialist oppression and for the continued neo-eolonlalist exploitation of those countries, cannot be tolerated. There are no grounds-indeed there can be none-for holding the socialist countries responsible for the consequences of colonialism or for the harmful effects on the developing countries of the continued inequality in economic relations or for the heavy burden of the crisis of thecapitalist economy. 14. Fifthly, as far as the draft resolution contained in the report of the Second Committee isconcerned, ourattitude towards it is determined by the aforementioned funda· mental considerations. 15. The Paris Conference on International Economic Co-operat.on was held outside the United Nations and was 16. As is well known, the socialist countries did not take part in the work of t~ie Paris Conference and they do not consider themselves in any way bound byits decisions. 17. Sixthly, the delegations of the socialist countries responded favourably to the request of the Group of 77 to adopt the draft resolution contained in the report of the Second Committee without a vote. We share many of the concerns of the developing countries expressed therein and we support their justified demands addressed to the developed capitalist countries. However, this does not imply that we agree with all the provisions of the draft resolution. We support the raising of problems of economic co-operation in it to the extent to which it corresponds to the general approach of the socialist countries to those problems repeatedly expressed in their joint statements in theUnited Nations. 18. Seventhly, the socialist countries have been consistently striving for the restructuring of international economic relations on a democratic basis and for the elimination of discrimination, diktat and inequality. As is well known, our countries have put forward, in the United Nations andelsewhere, specific proposals in thisregard. The socialist countries will continue to follow this constructive and principled policy.

The resumed thirty-first session of the General Assembly is going to be closed without any resolution having been adopted on the Conference on International Economic Co-operation. It isa matter of great regret that we could not come to an agreement on a resolution after five days of serious and intensive negotiation. It cannot be denied that we have different assessments of the results of the Conference and of the courses of action that we should take in the future. We have sufficient time to contemplate this problem at the coming regular session, and I am hopeful that we can resolve the differences to our mutual satisfaction at the thirty-second session. 20. The North-South dialogue is not an easy endeavour for any of us, since the problems with which it deals are so complex and subject to constant, evolution. In the past we have experienced and in the future we will experience satisfaction as well as disappointment in the dialogue. We 21. Today we are unable to agree, but we all know that does not mean that our joint efforts in the future will be fruitless. I would like to reconfirm that my Government will continue to be an active partner in the joint effortsby the world community to promote the development of the developing countries and the worldeconomy asa whole.

It is with some expression of relief that we see the thirty-first session of the General Assembly ending less than 24 hours before the thirty-second session begins. 23. My delegation did not expect these days to be easy ones. We recognized that points of view differed, both on the meaning of the Paris Conference andon the method of organizing our common effort in the future, especially within the United Nations system. We expected that negotiations would be prolonged and difficult. We were gratified to see significant progress in narrowing our differences. We learned much in the process of trying to resolve them. But we did not succeed. It may be that there was simply not enough time to resolve the importantissues and differences of view raised by the draft resolution. If that is so, my delegation would like to renew its commitment to utilize fully the time allottedin the next session of the Assembly. We are anxious to discuss means to ensure that sufficient time be given to treat the paramount issue of progress towards a new international economic order. 24. In honesty, however, I cannot conclude these brief remarks without the expression of a lingering disquiet as wen. I am afraid that what seemed to be the clearmessage of communication and conciliation which emerged from the remarks of all participants during the opening days of this resumed thirty-first session of the Assembly may be somewhat dulled by our inability to reach consensus. I am concerned because so much remains to be done, inside this body and in my owncountry. 25. I need hardly note that the remarks of Mr. MacEachen devoted to public opinion in his country apply equally to the United States. We are rebuilding our people's support for the United Nations and for our common effort of building a more equitable international economic system. We do not want critics of this effort to slow its progress. My Government is still determined to prove these critics wrong and to joinin demonstrating that the United Nations system can be at the centre of a fruitful international economic dialogue. . J 26. The keys to success in this dialogue remain twofold= political will and realism. The latter must be grounded in mutual comprehension. Let us, each delegation here, look forward to the opportunities that will be presented at the next session, as we quietly turn the page on thisone.

I do not intend to speak about the Conference on International Economic Co·

The Swedish delegation regrets that, despite great efforts on all sides, it was not possible to arrive at an agreed assessment of theoutcome of the Paris Conference. In the opinion of my delegation, the Paris Conference cannot be judged in terms of total success or failure. It is true that only little progress could be registered with regard to a number of important issues; still, it is our considered view that the Conference did achieve certain positive results. I would mention the acceptance of a common fund, the special action programme and the broad agreement to increase substantially the volume of official development assistance. 29. The Paris Conference was a negotiation between a limited number of countries. It is important that the work now be carried forward by the entire international community, that is, within the framework of the United Nations. Further modalities for this mustbe worked out at the thirty-second session of the General Assembly. Determined and intensified efforts must now be made by the international community to secure positive results on issues relating to the establishment of the new international economic order and to promote solutions to the outstanding problems in the enhancement of international economic co-operst.on and the economic and social development of developing countries.

The Australian delegation is disappointed that after all our efforts it has not been possible to come to an agreement with respect to the assessment of the results of the Conference on International Economic Co-operation. 31. From the start we realized that the task we had set ourselves at this resumed session was difficult: we were seeking a consensus agreement which had eluded ministers in Paris. As participants in the Conference, we know only too well that it was not possible to reach agreement on all the important issues that were faced in Paris. Nevertheless, the Conference did achieve positive results in a number of areas of concern to all countries and, in our view, made an imj.ortant contribution to increasing the degree of understanding between countries on North-South issues. 32. We do not, therefore, regard the Paris Conference as a failure, but neither do we regard it as a once-and-for-all

This resumed session was convened in order to consider the results of the Conference on International Economic Co-operation. Much to the regret of my delegation, a joint assessment of the Conference did not prove possible, nor was it possible to agree on how the United Nations system could best carry forward the work of Paris. Representing a country which did not participate in the Conference on International Economic Co-operation, I wish to state for the record the position of my delegation in thefollowing terms. 34. First, Finland appreciates the efforts made by all the participants in the Conference on International Economic Co-operation towards the establishment of more equitable relations between developed and developing countries. 35. Secondly, we recognize that the Conference reached agreement on some issues and measures under itsconsideration. In our view, the Conference also contributed in no insignificant manner to the understanding of the problems of international economic co-operation and the need for structural adjustments in the present.system. 36. Thirdly, we regret that the Conference faUed to reach agreement on a wide number of issues of importance, particularly to the developing countries, and that it did not achieve the break-through which hadbeen hoped for at the time it was convened. We also recognize that the Conference was a disappointment against thebackground of the problems and expectations of thedeveloping countries. 37. Fourthly, we stand ready to pursue actively the establishment of the new international economic order as a jointendeavour by all Membel1 of the United Nations. 38. Fifthly and finally, in accordance with the view expressed by the Foreign Ministers of theNordic countries at their recent meeting in Helsinki, we urge that new efforts now be made within the framework of the United Nations system to achieve those goals.

Spain would have wished to achieve a consensus on the basil of the draft resolution submitted bytheGroup of 77. We had worked intensively to this end, together with other delegations, throughout this resumed senion. We therefore regret that it was not possible to reach agreement, as until the very last minute we had thought we could. However, the fact that we have reached no agreement on the weiament of a conierence which a large number of Member States of the United Nations rJid notattend should not .urprise u•• Ultimately, the judgement of Pari. of what wu done there and of the value of the agreements or the desree Cif agreement reached there will be rendered by future events, to theextent that progren ismade toward. a restructuring ofthe international economic system.

I call on the representative of Belgium, who will speak on behalf of the European Economic Community.

Speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States, I should like to stress the importance we have attached to the thorough discussions which enabled us to resume this thirty-first session of the General Assembly. We attach much importance to thework of the Paris Conference and to its results. Accordingly, we worked in the hope that the General Assembly would express an assessment reflecting the point of view of all Member Stt.tes. It was in this spirit that the members of the Community addressed the General Assembly in the course of the general debate [see 7th meeting}. The Community and its member States reiterate on this occa.Ion their determination to implement the substantive commitments agreed to at the Paris Conference. They also wish to reaffirm their intention to participate actively in the work of the thirty-second session seeking to promote international economic co-operation in the pursuit of our joint quest fora new international economic order. 43. May I be allowed to voice our gratitude to the Chairman of the Second Committee, Mr. Vald6s, and to the Vice-Chairman, Mr. Goritza, who, with tireless patience, presided over the work of thecontact group. 44. Although we already spoke of this last December, I would not wish to end this statement, Mr. President, without conveying to you the appreciation of the Community and itsmember States for thecompetence, courtesy and firmness with which you constantly guided our debates. 45. Lastly, may I take this same occasion to say how much we appreciate the work of the members of the Secretariat, including the interpreters, for their invaluable aid.

I call on the representative of Pakistan, who will speak on behalf of theGroup of 77.

When I spoke here on behalf of the Group of 77 at the beginning of this week 110Bth meeting}, I said that the developing countries would like to join other groups in making a unanimous assessment of the Conference on International Economic Co-operation and thus lay thefoundation for agreed action at the thirty-second session of the General Assembly. During the past week, as we are all aware, members of various groups have been engaged in an intensive effortof con.ultations and discussions to thatend.We are very sorry thatthese efforts did not produce the desired consensus. 48. Adraftresolution which was introduced in the Second Committee on behalfof theGroup of 77by my delegation, and which is contained in the report of the Second Committee, embodies the views of thedeveloping countries 49. It is perhaps not surprising that the General Assembly was unable to reach a common position on the assessment of the Paris Conference, since, asisevident from the report of the Conference, the participants themselves, while agreeing that the Conference had been useful, were not of the same mind as to the degree and the nature of the progress made during the 18 months of negotiations in Paris. In my statement here the other dayI tried to convey the sense of disappointment felt by the developing countries as a whole at the results and their agreement with the assessment by the group of 19 that the conclusions of the Conference fell shortof theenvisaged objectives. 50. It is the hope of the developing countries that the inability of the Assembly at this resumed session to agree on an assessment of the Conference will not prevent progress in international economic co-operation and towards the establishment of a new economic order. Fresh and resolute efforts will have to be made by the international community, especially by the developed countries, to secure positive and concrete results within a specified period of time in the ultimate interests of all of us. The thirty-second session of the United Nations General Assembly, which opens tomorrow, offers an opportunity for both the developed and the developing countries to reach a new consensus about international economic co-operation and to revive progress towards the establishment of the new international economic order. At the forthcoming regular session the Assembly could make a substantial contribution to these objectives by reaching agreement on guidelines for the conduct of specific and technical negotiations in the various forums of the United Nations system. SI. AI I said the other day, we attach importance to the pledge of the Conference participants~'and in this context we address in particular the developed countries--to fulfil 52. The Group of 77 expects that effective negotiations will be undertaken by the developed countries in the various organs concerned in the United Nations system and that those negotiations will be concluded within a specific time-frame and will achieve positive results on all issues relating to the new international economic order. The developing countries fortheir part are prepared to engage in those negotiations in good faithand in a constructive spirit. 53. We feel that, concurrently with the negotiations in these forums, the General Assembly should continue to play its role as the supreme policy-making organ of the international community in this regard. The Assembly should review the results of the negotiations in various forums, and take it upon itself to resolve any difficulties that mayarise therein. 54. Finally, the developing countries consider it necessary that a special session of the General Assembly should be convened at the latestby 1980 to consider the progress that has been made in the negotiations in various forums andto decide on the future course of action, including the shape and content of the international strategy for the third Development Decade. 55. I take this opportunity, Mr. President, to pay you a tribute on this final day of the thirty-first session for the manner in which you have conducted our proceedings throughout this yearandhave guided usin every way. I also wish to place on record the appreciation and gratitude of the Group I represent for the tireless andselfless manner in which the members of the Secretariat, in particular the interpreters and other conference staff, have made their services unstinting}y available at all times of day and night to theGroup illorderto help us to achieve success.

That concludes the listof speakers. Before concluding our consideration of agenda item 66, I should like to invite the General Assembly's attention to a matter concerning the Board of Governors of the United Nations Special Fund for Land-locked Developing Countries. 57. By its resolution 31/177 of 21 December 1976, the Assembly decided that: "The policies and procedures of the Fund shall be formulated by a Board of Governors, composed of representatives of thirty-six States Members of the United Nations or members of specializec', agencies or of the International Atomic Energy Agency, elected by the General Assembly keeping in view, inter alia, the need for balance among the representation of the beneficiary land-locked developing countries and their transit neighbours, on the one nand, and potential donor countries, both developed and developing, on the other." 58. By its decision 31/429 B of 22 December 1976, the Assembly decided that the election of the members of the Board of Governors would be taken up by the Assembly at

We have now concluded our consideration of agenda item 66.

The thirty-first session of the United Nations General Assembly isdrawing to a close. The negotiations in the resumed session have been long, but the statements this evening have been mercifully short. I hope that thisisa happyaugury for the thirty-second session. 61. We met at this resumed session to deal with agenda item 66 after receiving the report of the concluding ministerial meeting of the Paris Conference on International Economic Co-operation. The time at the Second Committee's disposal has been too short to permit a thorough assessment of the results of the Paris Conference. The representative of Spain has referred to the judgement of Paris. I sincerely hope that that judgement will not have anything like the unhappy consequences of its renowned predecessor in classical mythology. 62. The process of patient negotiation that is necessary to achieve satisfactory results in relation to a problem so complex and so vast in scope required more time. One cannot negotiate with or against time. This should not, however, discourage the Assembly, as in a few weeks, during the thirty-second session which convenes tomorrow, the same subject will come up for consideration underitem 67 of its provisional agenda. The intervening period will give time for some reflection and provide yet another opportunity for consultations between the various groups in the effort to achieve a greater measure of agreement than hasso far proved possible. 63. It was at the commendable and imaginative initiative of President Boumedlene of Algeria that the sixth special session of the General Assembly was convened to consider the item entitled "Study of the problems of raw materials and development". At that special session, the General Assembly adopted the Declaration and Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order. 64. It was on the initiative of yet another Head of State, President Giscard d'Estaing of France, that the Conference on International Economic Co-operation was organized and convened in Paris. It was intendedorigir-;.Uy to consider the problem of energy, but the agenda was widened to include a subject that was of much greater concern to the third world of developing countries than the energy problem, namely, international economic co-operation. These were not separate subjects, but were closely linked to eachother and were relevant to the new international economic order. The Press-lent of France has earned our thanks and 65. We must oneand all realize that attitudes mustchange if we are to have a new order. Paradoxical though it may sound, there is only one thing that is constant in life, and that is change. In no field of human relationships is this more true than in the international economic sphere. When you next consider this question, I would urge you to remember this. I do not ask you to be conservative or radical. I ask you, representatives of the developed and the developing countries, to be just and fair to one another in your owninterests. 66. At the 107th plenary meeting of the thirty-first session, held on 22 December 1976,the customary formalities were completed and there is,therefore, no needtoday for valedictory speeches. For meit hasbeen a great honour and privilege to have presided over the thirty-first session and to have had the opportunity of working with you and serving you. It was a remarkably rewarding and an altogether unforgettable experience, the memory of which I shall always cherish. 67. I thank you, distinguished representatives, most warmly for the assistance and co-operation that you so unstintingly and unfailingly extended to me during my presidency. It was my confidence in your goodwill that sustained methroughout the session. 68. I have already thanked the Secretary-General, Mr. Kurt Waldheim; the Under-Secretary-General for Political and General Assembly Affairs, Mr. William Buffum; and all ranks of the Secretariat that have assisted us in our work for the diligence, industry and devotion that they have displayed in the performance of their duties. I take this opportunity to express to them once again, on your behalf and on my own behalf, our deep appreciation of their services.

I invite everyone present to stand andobserve one minuteof.silent prayer or meditation.

I declare closed the thirty-first session of the General Assembly. The meeting rose at 11p.m.