A/32/PV.103 General Assembly

Thursday, Dec. 15, 1977 — Session 32, Meeting 103 — UN Document ↗ — OCR ✓ — ⓘ 45 unattributed speechs — ⚠ 1 duplicate speech
▶ This meeting at a glance
47
Speeches
2
Countries
7
Resolutions
Resolutions: 32/108, 31/37, 32/110, 31/125, 32/95, A/RES/32/113, A/RES/32/115
Topics
UN resolutions and decisions UN procedural rules Voting and ballot procedures Arab political groupings General statements and positions Economic development programmes

Page
Vote: A/RES/32/113 Recorded Vote
✓ 115   ✗ 0   21 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (115)
Vote: A/RES/32/115 Recorded Vote
✓ 127   ✗ 1   10 abs.
Show country votes
✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (127)

128.  Question of the composition of the relevant organs of the United Nations REPORT OF THE SPECIAL POLITICAL COMMITTEE (A/32/465) 1. Miss IJOBSON (Australia), Rapporteur of the Special Political Committee: I have the honour to present to the General Assembly reports on two items considered by the Spe.:.ial Political Committee. 2. The fifst report is on item 56 and is to be found in documen( A/32/448. This item was considered at the Special Political Committee's 41st to 45th meetings. The Committee had before it the important report of the Special Committee on Peace-keeping Operationss to be found in document A/32/394. The representative of Egypt introduced a draft resolution, sponsored by 17 countries, which was adopted by consensus in the Special Political Committee. This draft resolution takes note of the report of the Special Committee on Peace-keeping Operations; requests Member States to submit observations and sugges- tions on ~ace-keeping operations in all their aspects to the Secretary-General by 30 April 1978; requests the Secretary- General to prepare a compilation of these observations and suggestions and to submit it to the Special Committee and its Working Group; requests the Special Committee to expedite its work concerning agreed guidelines for peace- keeping operations; and requests the Special Committee to accord priority to the completion of agreed guidelines and to report to the thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly. The draft resolution further decides to include the item on the whole question of peace-keeping in the provisional agenda of the thirty-third session of the General Assembly. 3. The second report is on item 128, and is to be found in document A!32/465. Twenty-nine Asian States requested the inclusion of this item in the agenda of the thirty-second session of the General Assembly. The item was allocated to the Special Political Committee. 4. The Committee considered the item at three of its meetings held between 5 and 13 December. At the 40th meeting, held on 6 December, the representative of Papua A!32/PV.I03 5. At its 46th meeting, on 13 December, the Chairman of the Special Political Committee announced that as a result of consultations with the chairmen of the regional groups, it seemed possible to reach agreement on the text of a statement which the CO!lUllittee might recommend for adoption by the General Assembly. The draft recom- mendation was adopted in the Special Political Committee by consensus and is now before the General Assembly for adoption. It states that consideration of the draft resolu- tion, t~ which I have just referred, is deferred to the thirty-third session of the General Assembly, and that a contact group, consisting of two or three representatives from each of the regional groups, will meet intersessionally under the chairmanship of a representative of the Asian group of States to study the question, on the understanding that its deliberations will serve as a basis for the consider- ation of this item by the General Assembly at its thirty-third session 6. These two reports are now before the Assembly. Pursuant to rule 66 of the rules of procedure, it was decided not to discuss the reports of the Special Political Committee.

The President unattributed #1878
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Special Political Committee in paragraph 7 of its report [A/32/448]. The draft resolution is entitled "Comprehensive review of the whole question of peace-keeping operations in all their aspects". The Special Political Committee adopted that draft resolution by consensus. May I take it that the General Assembly adopts the draft resolution?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 32/106).
The President unattributed #1880
There is another matter concerning agenda item 56 which I should like to bring to the attention of the Assembly Document A/32/459 contains a letter addressed to the President of the General Assembly regarding the decision of Czechoslovakia to relinquish its seat in the Special Committee on Peace-keeping Operations in order to give another country within the Eastern European group the possibility of participating in the Committee's work. I should like to announce that, after consultations, I have appointed the German Democratic Republic as a member of the Special Committee on .Peace-keeping Operations. May I consider that the General Assembly takes note of that appointment? It was so decided (decision 32/318 A).

73.  United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development REPORT OF THE SECOND COMMITTEE (A{32/445) 11. Mr. DHARAT (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya), Rapporteur of the Second Committee: I have the honour to introduce four reports of the Second Committee on agenda items 12, 59,61 and 73. 12. The first is part III of the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 12 [A/32/265/Add2/. In paragraph 6 of that report the Second Committee recom- mends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution entitled "Agreement between the Elited Nations and the International Fund for Agricultural Development", which was adopted by the Committee without a vote. 13. The second report I have the honour to present is part I of the report of the Second Committee on agenda * Resumed from the lOlst meeting. 14. nl'~ third report concerns agenda item 61 [A/32/444J. This report contains the six draft resolutions and one draft decision set forth ill paragraphs 34 and 35, which are recommended for approval by this Assembly. Apart from draft resolution V, entitled "United Nations Special Fund for Land-locked Developing Countries", which was adopted by the Second Committee by 96 votes to none, with !7 abstentions, these draft resolutions and the draft decision were adopted without votes. 15. The fourth report concerns agenda item 73 [A/ 32/445J. In paragraph 17 and 18 of the report the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution and a draft decision, which were adopted by the Second Committee without a vote. 16. Finally, I wish to draw the attention of the General Assembly to the decision of the Second Committee contained in paragraph 16 of the report on item 73 to transmit to the General Assembly for its consideration two draft resolutions on the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development, contained in documents A/C.2/32/L.88 and L.90/Rev..l. These draft resolutions have now been reissued in documents A/32/ L.43 and L.44 respectively. Pursuant to role 66 of the ntles of procedure, it was decided not to discuss the reports of the Second Com- mittee.

Vote: 32/108 Consensus
The President unattributed #1882
We shall now take up the report of the Special Political Committee on agenda item 128 [A/32/465].
The recommendation was adopted (decision 32/427).
The President unattributed #1884
The positions of delegations with respect to the recommendations contained ill the various reports of the Second Committee to the General Assembly are reflected in the rp.levant summary records of the Second Committee. 18. We shall take up first part III of the report of the Second Committee lliider agenda item 12, which relates to the agreement between the United Nations and the International Fund for AgricultUlal Development. The report is contained in document A/32/265/Add.2. In t.ltis connexion, the General Assembly also has before it part 11 of the report of the Fifth Committee on the same subject, contained in document A/32/397/Add.1. 19. I invite representatives to turn first to the recommendation contained in paragraph 2 of the report of the Fifth Committee, document A/32/397/Add.1. The Fifth Committee adopted that recomm~ndationwithout objection. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise? The recommendation was adopted (decision 32/428 A).
Vote: 31/37 Consensus
The President unattributed #1885
The General Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of its report [A/32/265/ Add.2J. The draft resolution is entitled "Agreement
The President unattributed #1887
We shaH now take up part I of the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 59, entitled "United Nations Industrial Development Organization", contained in document A/32/462. The As~embly will rH:W take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. The draft resolution is entitled "Revision of the lists of States eligible for membership in the Industrial Development Board". The Second Committee adopted that draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise? The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 32/108).
The President unattributed #1888
The General Assembly will now consider the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 61, entitled "Operational activities for developme'lt", which is contained in document A/32/444. No representatives wish to explain t'.'?~( votes on any of the draft resolutions or on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in its report on agend:l item 61 before the decisions are taken. Represe!ltatives will have an opportunity to explain their votes after all the votes have been taken on this report. The General Assembly will now take decisions on the six draft resolutions recommended by the Second COffi..'nittee in paragraph 34 of its report. 23. We turn first to draft resolution I, entit1~d "International Year of the Child". May I take it that the General Assembly adopts draft resolution I? .
Vote: 32/110 Consensus
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 32/109).
The President unattributed #1890
Draft resolution Il is entitled "United Nations Children's Fund". May I take it that the General Assembly adopts draft resolution II?
Draft resolution Il was adopted (resolution 32/110).
Vote: 31/125 Consensus
The President unattributed #1891
Draft resolution III is entitled "Health needs of Palestinian refugee children." May I take it that the General Assembly adopts draft resolution Ill?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 32/111).
The President unattributed #1892
Draft resolution IV is entitled "Target for World Food Prog~amme pledges for the period 1979-1980". May I take it that the General Assembly adopts draft resolution IV? .
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 32/112).
The President unattributed #1894
We now come to draft resolution V entitled "United Nations Special Fund for Land-locked Developing Countries". A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution !T was adopted by 115 votes to no."'le, with 21 abste:uions (resolution 32/113).
The PRESiDENT unattributed #1895
Lastly, we come to draft resolution VI entitled "United Nations Development Programme". May I take it fhat the AsselT'bly adopts draft resolution VI?
Draft resolution V'Iwas adopted (resolution 32/114).
The President unattributed #1897
I now invite the representatives to turn to the draft dedsion concerning the United Nations Capital Development Fund, which has been recommended by the ::'ccond Committee in paragraph 35 'its report [A/32/444J. May I consider that the General Assembly adopts that draft decision?
The draft decision was adopted (decision 32/429).
The President unattributed #1898
I call on the representative of Israel, who wishes to explain his p0sition at this stage.
Mr. Lador ISR Israel #1899
As my delegation already stated in the Second Committee when this item was discussed,2 the adoption of draft resolution III in document A/32/444 1 The delegation of Sierra Leone subsequently informed the Secretariat that it wished to have its vote recorded as having been in favour of the draft resolution. 2 See Official Reeor,:s of the General Assembly, Thirty-second Session. Second Committee. 55th meeting, para. 5. 32. Constructive co-operation among the host countries with the aim of eliminating human suffering may best be achieved through the participation of Jordan and the other sponsors of this draft resolution in the dialogue begun ill the region in the last few days, rather than by living in the past and continuing to manipulate the refugee problem for political purposes. 33. My delegation participated in the consensus on this draft resolution as our progress in health services for refugee children is a matter of record.
The President unattributed #1901
I should now like to invite representatives to turn their attention to document A/32/460 containing a note by the Secretary-Gep..eral under agenda item 61 (i) relating to the confirmation ofthe appointment of the Executive Director of the United Nations Special Fund for Land-locked Developing Countries. May I take it that the Genen,1 Assembly takes note of document A/32j460? It was so decided (decision 32/319).
The President unattributed #1902
I call on the representative of Jordan, who wishes to speak in exercise of his right of reply .. 36. Mr. TUKAN (Jordan): In the course of the consideration of draft resolution III entitled uHealth needs' of Palestinian refugee children", t' ~ representative of Israel once again referred to my countrv and accused it of manipulating the refugees for political purposes. I would simply like to reiterate that our initiative was based purely on humanitarian considerati0i1s. As I explained in the Second Committee, we had our reasons for proposing our draft in the Second Committee, rather than in the Special Political Committee under the item dealing with UNRWA. The adoption of draft resolution III by consensuC\ is to us an indication of the support of the international community for our concerns. I would merely request that my statement, which was made in the Second Committee on this item,3 be placed on the record.
The President unattributed #1903
The General Assembly will now consider the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 73 [A/32/445]. In addition to that report, the Assembly has before it three draft resolutions: A/32/L.43, A{32{L.44 and A/32/L.46, and an amendment to draft resolution A/32/L.44 in document A/32{L.45. 38. I invite the Assembly to turn first to the report of the Second Committee. The Assembly will now vote on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 17 ofits report. The draft resolution is entitled "United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development". A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 127 votes to 1, with 10 abstentions (resolution 32/115).
The President unattributed #1905
I now invite representatives to turn to the draft decision contained in paragraph 18 of the report of the Second Committee {A/32/445J. The draft decision relates to preparatory work for the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development. The Second Committee adopted that draft decision without a vote. May I consider that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft decision was adopted (decision 32/430).
The President unattributed #1907
The General Assembly will now consider draft resolution A/32/L.43, draft resolution AI 32/L.44 and the amendment thereto in document AI 32/L.45, and draft resolution A/32/L.46. 41. Before we decide upon the voting procedure for these draft resolutions, I should like to propose that the General Assembly not discuss the substance of these draft resolutions, because there was enough time for their discussion in the Second Committee and in the private consultations. 42. I call on the representative of Austria, who wishes to speak on the subject of the voting procedure. 4 The delegations of Cuba and Ethiopia subsequently informed the Secretariat that they wished to have their votes recorded as having been in favour of the draft resolution. 44. We made that proposal-which the Committee adopted by a large majority-because we are convinced that, in the absence of a consensus agreement, a delicate question such as the selection of the site for a. conference, when a number of sites have been offered, should be decided by secret ballot. This was not possible in the Committee, except by unanimous consent. 45. We therefore proposed that both draft resolutions be referred to the plenary Assembly so as to avoid placing delegations in the embarrassing position of having to declare openly their preference for one side or another. 46. Now there is a third draft resolution before this meeting. 47. We therefore formally propose that the venue for the Conference be decided by secret ballot, and we request that this question be decided before all other proposals or motions before the General Assembly.
The President unattributed #1908
The representative of Austria has proposed that the question of the venue of the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development be decided by secret ballot. According to rule 92 of the rules of procedure, in the General Assembly only elections are held by secret ballot, and all draft resolutions are voted upon in the way laid down in the rules of procedure. 49. But the General Assembly is master of its own procedure, and before we decide on the proposal just made by the representative of Austria, I shall call on the Under-Secretary-General and Legal Counsel, Mr. Suy, to give us his legal opinion on this question.
Mr. SUY unattributed #1911
The question has been raised whether the General Assembly can take a decision by secret ballot with regard to the venue of the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development. In this respect, permit me to ma..~e the follOWing remarks. 51. Procedural rules 87 and 127 specify, as you just said, Mr. President, the methods of voting in plenary meetings and in the Committees, respectively. they have identical contents and provide that the Assembly or a Committee shall normally vote by show of hands or by standing, but that any representative may request a roll-call. The only references to secret ballot are contained in rules 92 and 103, which govern elections. 52. The rules of procedure of the Assembly thus do not provide for a secret ballot, other than for elections. The 53. For example, at the twenty-first session of the Assembly, the Second Committee decided, without objection, that the site of the future headquarters of UNIDO should be decided by secret ballot. At its special session in October 1965, the Trade and Development Board voted by secret ballot on the location of the site for the Secretariat of UNCTAD. And during the sixth session of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, in July 1977, the venue of the seventh session of the Conference was decided upon by secret ballot. 54. It may be relevant to note that in all these cases the choice of a site or venue was involved. On all these occasions, the secret ballot procedure was resorted to by general agreement of all members of the body concerned. This accords with the principle that the strict observance of rules of procedure can be avoided by virtue of a general agreement among the members of the body concerned, since the essential purposes of rules of procedure-to ensure orderly proceedings and the protection of the interests of the minority-are thus not endangered. 55. It is on the basis of the same principle that in the practice of the General Assembly the application of certain rules of procedure has frequently been suspended by common accord. For example, many elections have not taken place by secret ballot as provided in rule 92. 56. The question may arise, however, of what the position would be in the absence of common agreement among the membership: could the General Assembly decide by a majority vote to resort to a secret ballot? 57. When this question was put to the Legal Counsel, my predecessor, by the Second Committee during the debate on the choice of the UNIDO headquarters site referred to above, he advised that the Committee itself could not decide, on the basis of a vote, to suspend the application of any rule of procedure or to take a secret ballot.s While this opinion applies to the proceedings of any sessional organ, it does not exclude the authority of the General Assembly itself to decide by a majority vote to resort to a secret ballot, since even if this is considered as amounting to a suspension or amendment of the rules of procedure, such power is vested in the Assembly by Article 21 of the Charter. The meeting was suspended at 5 p.m. and resumed at 5.30 p.m. 58. To sum up, if there is general agreement among the members to proceed by secret ballot, I think there is no problem. If there were to be any objection, this deCision would have to be put to the Assembly, which would have to decide by a majority vote.
The President unattributed #1913
We have heard the legal opinion of the Under-Secretary-GeneraI and Legal Counsel on the 60. The opinion of the Legal Counsel is that the General Assembly as master of its own procedure may decide to use a secret ballot for the vote on this particular issue. In the consultations I held before this meeting with the sponsors of draft resolutions A!32!L.43, A!32!L.44 and A!32!L.46, I was informed that all the sponsors of these three draft resolutions are in agreement that the venue of the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development should be decided on in the plenary Assembly by a secret ballot. It is my understanding that, since they agree, the General Assembly is ready to adopt the proposal just made by the representative of Austria. If I hear no objection, we shall proceed accordingly.
It was so decided
The President unattributed #1914
I should like to make clear what issue it is on which we shall be voting by secret ballot. We shall not be voting on the draft resolutions as such but only on the venue of the Conference, which is only one point in each of these three draft resolutions. It is, by the way, the only issue before us on which there is conflict. Once the decision is taken on the venue of the Conference, I shall make a proposal on how we should proceed to vote on the various draft resolutions before us. But the decision on the venue of the Conference should be taken first. 62. Ballot papers are now being distributed to all representatives. As members will see from the ballot papers, there are three possible votes: for venue I-that is, Vienna; for venue 2-that is, a developing country; and for venue 3- that is, the United States. I request the representatives, when the ballot papers have been distributed, to place a cross opposite the venue of their choice. Ballot papers containing more than one cross will be declared invalid. After the ballot papers have been counted, the venue that has been chosen by a majority of the members present and voting will be declared adopted.
At the invitation 0[- the President, Mr. Schade (German Democratic Republic) and Mr. Nakamura (Japan) acted as tellers.
A vote was taken by secret ballot.
The President unattributed #1915
I propose to suspend the meeting while the ballots are being counted.
The President unattributed #1916
The result of the voting for the venue of the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development is as follows: 138 o 138 2 65. As none of the three yenues has obtained the required majority of votes, in accordance with rule 93 of the rules of procedure, we shall proceed to a second ballot restricted to the two venues which obtained the highest number of votes, namely, Austria and a developing country.
Number ofballot papers: Invalid ballots: Number ofvalid ballots: Abstentions:
At the invitation of the President, Mr. Schade (German Democratic Republic) and Mr. Nakamura (Japan) acted as tellers.
A vote was taken by secret ballot.
The President unattributed #1918
I propose to suspend the meeting while the ballots are being counted. The meeting was suspended at 5.45 p.m. and resumed at 5.55 p.m.
The President unattributed #1919
The result of the voting is as follows: 138o 138 3 135 68 Number ofvotes obtained: Austria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 83 Developing country 52
Number ofballot papers: Invalid ballots: Number ofvalid ballots: Abstentions: Number ofmembers voting: Required majority:
Having obtained the required two-thirds majority, Vienna, Austria, was chosen as the venue of the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Devel- opment (decision 32/431).
The President unattributed #1921
Now that the General Assembly has decided on the site of the Conference, certain matters raised in draft resolutions A!32!L.43, A!32!L.44 and A!32!L.46 and the proposed amendment in document A!32!L.45 remain to be resolved. Some of them, including the specific form of the invitation to be extended, carry financial implications. In order to facilitate a decision by the Assembly on this matter I request the sponsors of the three draft resolutions and the draft amendment to consult with each other in an effort to reach agreement on a consolidated text which would receive the widest possible acceptance. To permit these consultations I therefore propose that the Assembly agree to take no further action today on the draft resolutions before us. I will schedule further consideration of this item as soon as the necessary preparations have been completed.6
Mr. Ortner AUT Austria #1923
On behalfof my delegation, I wish to express the sincere gratitude of the Austrian 6 See the l07th meeting, paras. 84-90.

17.  Election of fifteen members of the Industrial Development Board

The President unattributed #1932
We shall now proceed to the election of 15 members of the Industrial Development Board to replace those members' whose term of office expires on 31 December 1977. The 15 outgoing members of the Industrial Development Board are: Algeria, Brazil, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, France, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Netherlands, Peru, Sweden and the United States of America. Those members are eligible for immediate re-election. 71. I should like to remind Members that after 1 January 1978 the following States will still be members of the Industrial Development Board: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Chad, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Federal Republic of, Greece, Grenada, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Romania, Sudan, Swaziland, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania, Upper VoIta and Venezuela. Therefore, those States are not eligible for election. 72. Under rule 92 of the rules of procedure, all elections must be held by secret ballot and there shall be no nominations. May I, however, recall the recommendation of the General Committee, adopted by the General Assembly at its 5th plenary meeting, on 23 September 1977, to the effect that "... the General Assembly should, whenever it deems it appropriate, dispense with the time-consuming balloting procedure in the case of uncontested elections to subsidiary orga..'1s" {A/32/250, para. 16J. Furthermore, I should like to recall that at the thirtieth and thirty-first sessions that procedure was waived for the election of members of the Industrial Development Board. 73. In order to save the time of the Assembly I would suggest that members agree to dispense with the secret ballot once again in the present election, if the number of candidates endorsed by a particular regional group corresponds to the number of seats to be filled in that group. In such cases, those candidates would be declared elected. If I hear no objection, I shall take it that the Assembly decides to proceed to the election on that basis.
It was so decided
The President unattributed #1934
I should like to announce that the chairmen of the regional groups have informed me of the following candidatures-for six seats from list A: Democratic Yemen, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sierra Leone and Tunisia; for five seats from list B: France, Japan, Malta. the Netherlands, Norway and the United States of America; for two seats from list C: Brazil, Panama and Peru; and for Tunisia were elected members of the Industrial Develop- ment Board for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 1978 (decision 32/320).7
Bulgaria, D2mocratic Yemen, the German Democratic Republic, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sierra Leone and
The President unattributed #1936
Since in list B and list C there are more candidates than the seats to be filled in each group, the Assembly will hold ballots for those two groups. 77. In accordance with existing practice, the required number of candidates which receives the largest number of votes and not less than the majority required will be declared elected. In case of a tie vote for the last place, there will be a restricted ballot limited to thm~ candidates which have obtained an equal number of votes. May I take it that the General Assembly agrees to that procedure?
It was so decided
The President unattributed #1938
The two ballot papers will now be distributed. May I request members of the Assembly to use only those ballot papers and to place a cross opposite the names of the countries for which they wish to vote. The ballot paper indicates the number of members to be elected. Ballot papers contaiiring more than that number will be declared invalid.
At the invitation of the President, Mr. Amouss (Syrian Arab Republic) and Mr. Wani (Uganda) acted as tellers.
A vote was taken by secret ballot.
The President unattributed #1940
I shall suspend the meeting while the ballots are being counted.
The meeting was suspended at 6.20 p.m. and resumed at 7p.m.
The President unattributed #1942
The result of the voting for the election of members of the Industrial Development Board is as follows: 139 1 138 1 137 69 .i.Vumber ofvotes obtained: Japan . . . . . . . . . . 107 Norway 106 7 See also paragraph 80 below. 8 See also paragraph 75 above. 138 21 117 o 117 59 Number ofvotes obtained: Peru 98 Brazil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " 79 Panama 61 Brazil, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru and the United States ofAmerica, havingobtained the required majority, were elected members of the Industrial Develop- ment Board for a 'three-year term beginning on 1 January 1978 (decision 32/320}.8
LISTB
Number ofballot papers: Invalid ballots: Number ofvalid ballots: Abstentions: Number ofmembers voting: Required majority:
LISTC
Number ofballot papers: Invalid ballots: Number ofvalid ballots: Abstentions: Number ofmembers voting: Required majority:
The President unattributed #1944
I wish to congratulate the countries which have been elected members of the Industrial Development Board and to thank the tellers for their assistance in this election.

18.  Election of nineteen members of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment.Programme

The President unattributed #1945
The General Assembly will now proceed to the election of 19 members of the Governing Council of UNEP to replace those members whose term of office expires on 31 December 1977. The 19 outgoing members are: Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Finland, the Federal Republic of Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kenya, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Romania, Sudan, Switzerland, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United States of America, Venezuela and Zaire. Those members are eligible for immediate re-election. 83. I should like to remind members that after 1 January 1978 the following States will still be members of the Governing Council: Argentina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Central African Empire, Chad, China, Cyprus, France, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Hungary, 84. Under rule 92 of the rules of procedure, all elections must be held by secret'ballot and there shall be no nominations. May I recall, however, the recommendation of the General Committee adopted by the General Assembly at its 5th plenary meeting on 23 September 1977 to the effect that "... the General Assembly should, whenever it deems it appropriate, dispense with the time-consuming balloting procedure in the case of uncontested elections to subsidiary organs" [A/32/250, para. 16J. Furthermore, I should like to recall that at the thirtieth and thirty-first sessions that procedure was waived for the election of members of the Governing Council of UNEP. 85. In order to save the time of the Assembly, I would suggest that members agree to dispense with the secret ballot once again in the present election if the number of candidates endorsed by a particular regional group corresponds to the number of seats to be ftlled in that group. In such cases, those candidates would be declared elected. If I hear no objection, may I take it that the Assembly decides to proceed to the election on that basis?
It was so decided
The President unattributed duplicate #1947
I should like to announce that the Chairmen of the regional groups have informed me of the follOWing candidatures for five seats from Mrica: Algeria, Kenya, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Tunisia and Zaire; for four seats from Asia: Iran, Japan, Malaysia and Pakistan; for two seats from Eastern Europe: Romania and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; for three seats from Latin America: Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela; for five seats from Western Europe and Other States: Austria, Denmark, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Netherlands and United States of America. 87. Since the number of candidates from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America corresponds to the number of seats to be filled in those groups, I declare those candidates elected members of the Governing Council of UNEP for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 1978. Algeria, Brazil, Colombia, Iran, Japan, Kenya, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Romania, Tunisia, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Venezuela and Zaire were elected members of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 1978 (decision 32/321).9
The President unattributed #1948
With regard to the five seats to be ftlled from Western Europe and other States, there are six candidates. Therefore the Assembly will hold a ballot for that group. 89. In accordance with existing practice, the required number of candidates which receive the largest number of votes and not less than the majority will be declared 9 See also paragraph 92 below.
It was so decided
The President unattributed #1949
Ballot papers will now be distributed. I would request members of the Assembly to use only those ballot papers and to write on them the names of the countries for which they wish to vote. The ballot papers indicate the number of members to be elected. Ballot papers containing more than that number will be declared invalid. 91. The candidates for the five seats from the group of Western European and other States are the following six countries: Austria, Denmark, the Federal Republic of Germany. Italy, the Netherlands and the United States of America.
At the invitation of the President, Mr. Arnouss (Syrian Arab Republic) and Mr. Wani (Uganda) acted as tellers.
A vote was taken by secret ballot.
The President unattributed #1950
The result of the voting for the election to fill the five seats from Western European and other States on the Governing Council of UNEP is as follows: 137 o 137o 137 69 Number ofvotes obtained: Denmark 115 United States of America 110 Netherlands 102 Germany, Federal Republic of 100 Austria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 98 Italy 96 Austria, Denmark, Germany, Federal Republic of, the Netherlands and the United States of America, having obtained the required majority, were elected members of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme for a period of three years beginning 1 January 1978 (decision 32/321}.lO
Number ofballot papers: Invalid ballots: Number ofvalid ballots: Abstentions: Number ofmembers voting: Required majority:
The President unattributed #1952
I wish to congratulate the countries which have been elected members of the Governing Council of UNEP, and I thank the tellers for their assistance in this election.

19.  Election of twelve members of the World Food Council

The President unattributed #1953
In connexion with this item, the General Assembly has before it, in document A/32/473, a 10 See also paragraph 87 above. 96. The following 12 States have been nominated by the Economic and Social Council-from the group of African States: Gabon, Malawi and Morocco; from the group of Asian States: Iran, Japan and Sri Lanka; from the group of Latin American States: Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela; from the group of socialist States of Eastern Europe: German Democratic Republic; from the group of Western European and other States: Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands. If there is no objection, may I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to declare those countries elected members of the World Food Council for a threeyear term beginning on 1 January 1978? Denmark, Gabon, the German Democratic Republic, Iran, Italy, Japan, Malawi, Morocco, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka. Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela were elected members of the World Food Council for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 1978 (decision 32/322).
The President unattributed #1954
I should like to congratulate those States that have just been elected members of the World Food Council.

20.  Election of twelve members of the Board of Governors of the United Nations Special Fund

The President unattributed #1956
We shall now proceed to the election of 12 members of the Board of Governors of the United Nations Special Fund to replace those members whose term of office expires on 31 December 1977. There are 11 outgoing members: Algeria, Argentina, Czechoslovakia, India, Nigeria, Paraguay, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey and Zaire. Those members are eligible for re·election. In addition, in the group ofWestem European and other States, there is a vacancy which was not filled at the thirty-first session. 99. I should like to remind members of the Assembly that after 1 January 1978 the following States will still be members of the Board of Governors: Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, France, Grenada, Guyana, Iran, Japan, Madagascar, Mali, Nepal, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United Republic of Cameroon, Upper Volta, Venezuela and Yugoslavia. Therefore, those States are not eligible for election. 100. I should like to inform the Assembly that the chairman of the group of Western European and other States has informed me that his group is not in a position to nominate its three candidates. I shall revert to this matter later. 101. Under rule 92 of the rules of procedure, all elections must be held by secret ballot and there should be no 102. In order to save the time of the Assembly, I should like to inquire whether it is the wish of the members to dispense with the secret ballot once again in the present election if the number of candidates endorsed by a particular regional group corresponds to the number of seats to be fIlled in that group. In such cases those candidates would be declared elected. If I hear no objection, I shall take it that, as in the preceding case, the Assembly agrees to proceed to the election on that basis.
It was so decided
The President unattributed #1957
I should like to announce that the chairmen of four of the regional groups have informed me of the following candidatures-for three seats from Africa: Algeria, Benin and the Central African Empire; for three seats from Asia: Sri Lanka; for one seat from Eastern Europe: Czechoslovakia; for two seats from Latin America: Paraguay. 104. Since the p.umber of candidates endorsed by the African group and the Eastern European group corresponds to the number of seats to be filled in those Groups, I declare Algeria, Benin, the Central African Empire and Czechoslovakia elected members ...f the Board of Governors of the United Nations Special Fund. Since Sri Lanka and Paraguay are the only candidates from Asia and Latin America, respectively, I declare them also elected members of the Board of Governors of the United Nations- Special Fund. Algeria, Benin, the Central African Empire, Czechoslovakia, Paraguay and Sri lAnka were elected members of the BoardofGovernors ofthe United Nations Special Fund for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 1978 (decision 32/323). 105. With regard to the remaining vacancies, two from Asia, one from Latin America and three from the Group of Western European and Other States, I should like to suggest that, in accordance with the procedure followed at the twenty-ninth and thirtieth sessions, the General Assembly authorize the Economic and Social Council at its organizational session in 1978 to elect the six additional members and also the one for the vacancy still remaining from the thirty-first session from among the Western European and Other States, bringing the total to seven members still to be elected. If there is no objection, I shall take it that the General Assembly agrees to that procedure. It was so decided (decision 32/323). The meeting rose at 8 p.m
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UN Project. “A/32/PV.103.” UN Project, https://un-project.org/meeting/A-32-PV-103/. Accessed .