A/35/PV.48 General Assembly
THIRTY-FIFTH SESSION
,:,.puge
120. Historical responsibility of States for the preservation of nature for present and future generations I. The PRESIDENT: I would recall that at its 3rd plenary meeting, on 19 September 1980, the Assembly decided to consider the two items now before us as separate items in the course of the same debate. Therefore, at the conclusion of the debate I shall put before the Assembly draft resolution A/35/L.8/Rev.l, which has been submitted under agenda item 113, and can on those, if any, who wish to explain their vote before and after action is taken on that draft resolution. Thereafter, we shall proceed in the same way regarding draft resolution A/35/L.7, which has been submitted under agenda item 120. 2. Mr. FEDOROV (Union of Soviet Socialist Re- publics) (interpretation from Russian): The Soviet Union has proposed for consideration at the thirty- fifth session of the General Assembly an item entitled "Historical responsibility ofStates for the preservation of nature for present and future generations" (see A/35/194], thus logically developing its own policy of consistent and purposeful attempts to find solutions to the most important global problems of mankind on the basis of international co-operation. 3. It is noteworthy that another State, situated in a different geographical area and having a different social system, the Republic of Zaire, has presented at this session a proposal which is also prompted by concern to preserve the natural environment [see A/35/141]. 4. Before proceeding to describe the essence of the Soviet proposal, I should like, not as a diplomat but as an expert involved in the study of the problems of the interrelationship and interaction ofman and nature, NEW YOPiK to draw the' attention of members to this problem as a whole. 5. The development.ofcivilization has today reached such a level that the impact of man on nature is comparable in scope to elements ofnatural phenomena. In a number' of instances, it leads to negative changes in the natural environment. I ' 6. The greatest alarm at the present time is being caused by the pollution of the atmosphere and waters and the possibility of the supplies of some natural resources being used up; and in a few decades, I believe, the expected beginnings of climatic changes on the planet will acquire considerable significance. 7. Let us consider pollution. As members know, this has reached a considerable level throughout the world and in many industrial centres and l~rgecities has taken. on dimensions which are proving dangerous for human health and for the vegetable and animal world. 8. For our discussion, the international aspect of this problem is of particular interest. For example, there is a serious problem in connexion with the trans- mission of sulphur particles between countries. Rain that is impregnated with sulphur leads. as members know, to considerable damage. According to the data published by the West and East European Centre for Monitoring the Atmosphere, which was established in accordance with the decisions taken at the European Conference on the Preservation of the Natural Envi- ronment, approximately 100,000tons of sulphur settle every year on the territory of Norway, for example, sulphur that is drawn in from other countries. On Sweden, approximately 225,000 tons offoreign sulphur wastes fall every year. Noticeable changes have occurred in the composition of the planet's atmo- sphere as a whole as a result of the activities of an countries. Of particular significance is the heightened concentration ofcarbon oxides, which occur whenever any fuel apart from atomic fuel is consumed. 9. There is also a global problem of the pollution of the oceans by petroleum products. We know the catastrophic consequences of accidents involving tankers and oil-drilling rigs. The world's oceans and seas also receive a great many waste products from chemical plants, as wen as radioactive products. As members know, there is a high level of pollution in many rivers which flow through densely populated areas with developed industry. 10. Now one may wonder whether the pollution ofthe environment is, as has frequently been suggested, an inevitable consequence of scientific and technological progress. It is not, because the same degree ofprogress presents a genuine possibility of avoiding pollution, first, by a wider use of anti-pollution devices which have been devised and can be applied to various ronment, held at Stockholm in 1972, proclaimed the principle that: ••Man and his environment must be spared the effects of nuclear weapons and all other means of mass destruction."? 31. In the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly, on disarmament, it is stated that "Nuclear weapons pose the greatest danger to mankind and to the survival of civilization" [resolution S-/OI2]. The fact that there are such weapons in the arsenals of States means that there is a risk of causing grievous and sometimes irrevers- ible and irremediable damage to the human envi- ronment. 32. At the beginningof the 1960s atomic and nuclear tests led to the steady radioactive pollution ofthe entire surface of the earth. After the conclusion in 3 See Report of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. Stockholm. S-16 June 1972 (United Nations Publica- tion. Sales No. E.73.I1.A.14 and corrigendum), chap. I. 34. We also know that United States aircraft have lost atomic bombs.near the coasts of Greenland and Spain, and that aircraft carrying nuclear weapons have crashed. And quite recently there was the inci- dent of the American Titan 11 missile. 35. Th~ war industry has contributed enormously to the pollution o( the environment. Considerable damage was caused to the people of Indo-China as a result of the widespread use of toxic chemical sub- stances. As a result, in the southern patt of Viet Nam alone, about 40 per cent of the timber and forest land was destroyed. In Indo-China the United States army employed various methods ofecological warfare, making wide use of herbicides, defoliants and very potent toxic chemicals. That was the first time that artificial control of weather, Le. rain producing, was used for military purposes. 36. As has recently become known, hundreds of military servicemen of· the United States became seriously ill as a result of the effects of those toxic chemical substances. But what can we say about the tens or even hundreds of thousands of members of the civilian population' of the countries of that area who were on the spot when those substances were being used? 37. In present circumstances, even the preparation and accumulation of chemical means of warfare represent a growing threat to mankind and his environ- ment. The development and emergence of new forms of weapons of mass destruction and systems of such weapons could undoubtedly have even more pernicious effects on the environment. 38. Thus, conservation of the environment is very closely linked to the solution of the most important problem of the present day-that is, ending the arms race, preventing a world conflict, intensifying detente and developing co-operation among States. Therefore, motivated by such humanitarian concerns and'con- sidering the interests of all mankind, the Soviet Union has at this session put forward a proposal on the historical responsibility of States for the preservation of nature for present and future generations and has submitted a draft resolution on thisquestion [A/J5/L.7]. In view of the fact that at the present time man's impact on the environment has become extremely significant and in many cases even endangers his existence, we propose that the historical responsibility thi~, with sbe assistance of the Executive Director of UNEP. May I in passing say that the Executive Director has already done a certain amount of work alortg these lines. 40. We also believe that all States should be invited to take the necessary steps to preserve the environ- ment and help to promote international co-operation in this field. The problem of protecting the environ- ment on a global scale is complex and multifaceted. Therefore we have not seen fit at the present time to put forward a proposal on specific ways and means oftackling this problem. Such proposals should emerge as a result of further consideration by the United Nations of the views of States Members of the Organization. 41. We are very pleased to welcome the draft resolu- tion on a draft World Charter for Nature [A/35/L.8/ Rev.Ti: We believe that the proposal of the Republic of Zaire is motivated by concern for nature and so we shall support that draft resolution. 42. The problem of preserving the environment, like other global problems, can be solved only by means of joint and serious efforts on the part of all States, in close co-operation. Only if the arms race is ended and if detente is expanded will it be possible fully to carry out such co-operation, to draw up global pro- grammes for dealing with the problem and to find the necessary funds for their practical implementation. These problems are daily becoming more acute and any delay in action will lead to serious crises for all mankind in the span of a few decades. 43. The preservation of nature is a problem for all mankind, a problem that concerns the future. We are certain that the question wiil attract the attention of all States Members of the United Nations and that States will make efforts to solve it in the interests of both present and future generations.
I now call on the Commis- sioner of State for Environment and Preservation of Nature and for Tourism of Zaire, Mr. Kamitatu Massamba, who will introduce draft resolution A/35/L.8/Rev.l.
Mr. President, since this is the first time I have spoken in the debates of the thirty- fifth session of the General Assembly, I should like to convey to you my warmest congratulations on your unanimous election to the presidency of the General Assembly. I should also like to express the gratification of my country at seeing in your lofty office the repre- sentative of the Federal Republic of Germany, a friendly country with whom we enjoy excellent relations of co-operation.
The protection of the human environment is one of the crucial subject- matters of international co-operation. And, indeed, during the last decade some important efforts were undertaken by nations on a bilateral, regional and international scale. However, we remain at the initial stage when it comes to tackling seriously the world's most pressing environmental ills. Thus the motto "Only One Earth" is even more relevant today than it was in 1972, during the Stockholm Conference.
63. Since the environment is the sum total ofphysical and social resources available for the satisfaction of human needs, our deep conviction is that all natural resources of the earth must be safeguarded for the benefit of the present and future generations, that the earth's capacity to produce vital renewable re- sources must be maintained and, wherever practicable, restored or improved, and that the non-renewable resources must be employed in such a way as to guard against their future total exhaustion.
64. Future generations will most probably judge our activities on the basis of how far we succeeded in solving the problem of protecting the environment. I am afraid that that judgement might be very negative unless more rigorous efforts are made by the interna- tional community. 65. That is why we welcome the initiative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. It adds a new dimension to the pressing question of international co-operation in the field of the environment.
66. Today as never before we are acutely aware of the increasing interrelationship existing between various aspects of politics, economics, science, technology and culture. We face global problems. These problems, including those related to the environment, can be solved only by international co-operation which is closely linked to the climate of the over-all relations among States. There is no doubt that that climate depends on the maintenance ofpeace and international security, and particularly on the halting of the arms race. That, practically speaking, is the prime condi- tion for the successful solution of all global problems.
67. During the current session of the General Assem- bly, and especially in the general debate, there has been'reflected the growing and widespread concern of the international community at the fact that vast material and intellectual resources are being diverted from peaceful pursuits, in the area of socio-economic development, to wasteful military programmes.
68. The world is now spending well over $500billion on the arms race, which means about $1 billion a day. At the same time, in the developing parts of the world, malnutrition amicts a quarter of all children, infant mortality rates are about eight times those in
100. I should like to say that in the eyes of the nine members of the Community, the draft Charter could elaborate and stress certain important aspects ofthe World Conservation Strategy. It is not only today that the nine members of the European Community have recognized the importance and benefits to be derived from preserving nature. Their being parties to a number of conventions, both regional and world- wide, is adequate proof of this. By the same token, their interest in this question has been shown in the adoption of national laws that each of them has promulgated. lOt. Within this context, we accept the principle of the permanent sovereignty over natural resources,
6 World Conservation Strategy: Living Resource Conservation for Sustainable Development, prepared by the Intern.ational U~ion
for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, With the advice, co-operation and financial assistance of the United Nations Envi- ronment Programme and the World Wildlife Fund and in collabora- tion with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 1980.
103. The nine members of the European Community commit themselves to devoting their entire attention to this subject at this very moment, and we assure the Secretary-General of our full co-operation in order to enable him to submit to the General Assembly at the thirty-sixth session a constructive document that will certainly permit us to make significant progress in the field of the conservation of nature and natural resources.
The delega- tion of the Byelorussian SSR attaches major impor- tance to the item now being discussed at the initiative of the Soviet Union at this session of the General Assembly entitled ••Historical responsibility of States for the preservation of nature for present and future generations", since this is one of the most important problems of mankind of world-wide scope.
105. The heightened interest in this problem takes many forms. It is primarily caused by the fact that at the present time growing use is being made of natural resources which is leading to their depletion, since many of them are non-renewable, and also by the concomitant increase in the pollution of the natural environment. According to the calculations of spe- cialists, the earth's atmosphere alone absorbs hundreds of millions of tons of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide and other harmful substances. The con- tamination of air and water masses and also of the soil by industrial wastes has a deleterious effect on many ecological systems and the deteriorating living conditions have an irremediable influence on human health. Tremendous damage has been caused to the natural environment as a result of military activity, the arms race and nuclear tests in the atmosphere. The most recent example of this was the high-powered nuclear explosion carried out by China this month, whose radioactive cloud at the present time continues to threaten the health 'of the' inhabitants of many countries over whose territories it is passing.
106. Tremendous and irreparable losses have been caused by the predatory exploitation of natural wealth that is the result of the private-enterprise, capitalist economic system and also by the uncontrolled exploita- tion by monopolies and corporations in Western countries of the natural resources of the developing countries. In this connexion, the profit motive pre- cludes any frugal attitude regarding natural resources or any concern about their conservation anc renewal for the good of present and future generations. The transnational corporations transfer their "dirty" businesses-dirty in both the literal and the figurative
••In the interests of the present and future generations, the necessary steps are taken in the Byelorussian SSR to protect and make scientific, rational use of the land and its mineral and water resources, and the plant and animal kingdoms, preserve the purity of air and water, ensure the reproduction of natural wealth, and the human environment." Particular attention in this connexion is devoted to the land as the basis of the entire agricultural system, which is the very foundation of our life'. In article 12 of the Constitution, it is pointed out that "Collective farms, like other land users, are obliged to make effective and thrifty use of the land and to increase its fertility." The Constitution also contains a special article that makes it binding on all members of society to deal carefully with the environment. Article 65 reads: "Citizens of the Byelorussian SSR are obliged to protect nature and conserve its wealth".
109. On the basis of these constitutional principles, a wide-ranging system of legislation has been devised and is in operation to define and regulate ways and means of preserving and utilizing the earth and its mineral, water and timber resources and the vegetable and animal world.
110. All this has yielded positive results, as is con- vincingly demonstrated by the experience gained in the Byelorussian SSR. In the Republic, a whole range of scientific, technical, economic and social and other measures have been taken aimed at preventing and removing any possible threat of pollution of the natural environment and providing for the most rational utilization ofnatural wealth. These steps are an integral and organic part of the State's plans for economic and social development. They are being implemented with the active participation of both State and public organizations and the citizens themselves. The Re- public has projected forecasts up to the year 2000 relating to possible changes -in the biosphere as a result of the development of various branches of the economy and also forecasts relating to the rational utilization and conservation of individual types of natural resources which will create suitable conditions for us properly to plan, project, build on and use various sites. Ill. We are also making large-scale efforts for land reclamation particularly in the Poles'ye area of
liS. It is understandable that such a ml\ior task as preserving the earth's environment for present and future generations can be effectively tackled only provided that there is peaceful coexistence among States, provided that there is detente and a constant and steady slackening of international tension, and provided that the arms race is ended and disarmament is achieved, as was so convincingly argued by the representative of the Soviet Union in his statement today.
116. The peoples should condemn and counteract the heedless actions of the aggressive forces of im- perialism and hegemonism which are trying to under- mine the process of detente. They have overtly em- barked on a policyofencouraging an escalation of the arms race, thus increasing the danger of the outbreak of nuclear war, which would have catastrophic con- sequences for the entire planet.
121. It is easy to imagine what progress could be achieved in improvingthe material living conditions of people, includingthe preservation of the environment, if it were possible to devote to these ends the billions now being spent on the arms race. The arms race does not on!y swallow up colossal material resources. In the militarybranches of industry it takes up the talents of an army of scientists and engineers and millions
141. As a result of the steps taken to curb the arms race and the conclusion of the Treaty on the Prohibi- tion of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Sea-Bed and the Ocean Floor and in the Subsoil Thereof in 1970, it has been possible to protect two thirds of the earth's surface from the effects of the arms race and from the damages it causes to the natural environment. 142. The signing of the Antarctic Treaty of 19597 has meant that an entire continent will be used only for peaceful purposes and thus for purposes which do not constitute a threat to nature. 143. The Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water, of 1963, has led to a noticeable drop in the radioactive contamination of the environment. May I point out, in passing, that between 1963 and 1969the concentration of radioactive strontium in milk in the Berlin area fell to one third of its previous level. 144. The Convention on the Prohibition ofMilitary or Any Other Hostile Use ofEnvironmental Modification Techniques, which came into force a few years ago, is of particular importance for environmental protec- tion. However, that Convention is aimed simply at forestalling the utilization of specific techniques in warfare or other hostile activities. 145. The problems posed in the effects of the arms race on nature, however, still remain unresolved. 146. The incompatibility of the arms race with the vital interests of mankind is a widely acknowledged fact. Not only does the arms race reduce the actual security of States and deprive mankind of huge re- sources for its economic and social development, but it also represents a serious threat to the natural environ- IT .nt, That danger appears in two forms: first, the arms race causes damage quite directly to the natural environment and, secondly, the arms race makes it impossible to make available the funds which are so sorely needed to protect, to preserve and to improve the natural environment. That finding was borne out in the 1980 report of UNEP on the state of the environment." 147. For example, It would be possible to prevent such harmful effects on the natural environment to a considerable degree ifnegotiations were to be success- fully concluded on the prohibition of all nuclear- weapons tests and the prohibition of radiological and chemical weapons. A beneficial effect on the natural and human environment would undoubtedly result from urgently needed steps to halt the production of nuclear weapons and cutting back stockpiles thereof and at prohibiting the development of new forms and systems of weapons of mass destruction. 148. The funds thus made available could then be utilized for long-term work on guaranteeing the very ----- 7 United Nations, Treaty Series, voI. 402, No. 5778, p, 72. • UNEP/GC.8/3 and Corr. L
152. For all those reasons, the German Democratic Republic decided to become one of the sponsors of draft resolution A/35/L.7.
153. In conclusion, my delegation would like partic- ularly to stress that this draft resolution covers the full range of issues involved in the question of environ- mental protection-that is, it takes account of the allied political, economic, military and moral aspects. The purposes pursued by that text are in consonance with the vital interests of all peoples and States. It is our hope that this draft resolution will win broad support among delegations present here, and that we shall immediately get down to tackling its imple- mentation. .'
The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic welcomed the inclusion in tl.e agenda of the present session of a new item entitled' Historical responsibility of States for the preservation of nature for present and future generations", which was proposed by the delegation of the Soviet Union.
155. Our position on this constructive and obviously useful initiative has already been expressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic in his statement in the general debate. He stressed that
- ~. - ~.- .. - . . ... - -..- - - --- - 159. In that conuexion, we must also draw attention to the deleterious effects of the military industry and the production of various types of armaments, nuclear materiel, chemical substances and other materials, as well as the;' use and stockpiling. According to our information, :)r example, because of the contamina- tion by industrial enterprises, the majority of which are involved in military'production, the lower Rhine basin each year carries 120,000 tons of iron, 85 tons of mercury, and 1,000 tons of arsenic and other toxic substances capable of destroying the entire life .,·f that waterway, and also the area around the river mouth.
160. An endless series of such examples could be given. Production for military purposes and the military industry are causing serious damage to the nature of
activiti~~ includitl'g the various forms"bf his military .~cliiev~ disarmament and to do away with the.means
activiti~~'1 about,200 species of birds ~nd more than "9~-:w~gl~g war. ~he ~nd.ersta"ding and the scrupulous 100 species of mammals are threatened with extinc- ~p.RtlcatIon of this principle should, we believe, be the tion. That irreversible shattering of the'balance results P9Wt of departure for the solution of these problems basically from military preparations br\~tates. a~W in order to ensure that all States of the world 162. Nuclear-weapon tests, includingthe latest atmo- fulfil their historical responsibilityfor the preservation spheric test by the People's Republic of China, con- of nature on our planet and of all its riches for present tinue to poison our planet's atmosphere and cause and future generations. radioactive fall-out which threatens human life, thus 169. But, if we do not take into account the other contaminatingentire continents and oceans with radio- important aspects of this draft resolution, this over-all active materials, including substances with a long problem willhave limits imposedon it. This is why we radioactive half-life. wish to stress that we believe that the question of the 163. Industrial wastes, to which the militaryindustry preservation of nature on our planet is very closely contributes to a large extent, lead to the constant linked to the problemsof economicand socialdevelop- increase of the amount of carbon dioxide in the ment. As is stressed in the draft resolution under atmosphere, which in turn increases the intensity of consideration, the arms race diverts enormous material ultraviolet rays in the upper atmosphere, creating and intellectual resources from the solution of the the so-called greenhouse effect. This could also cause urgent problems of the preservation of nature, and irreversible damage. Genetic and other damage this obviously is a matter of crucial importance as suffered by human beings and other living organisms far as development is concerned. constitute another extremely dangerous threat. 170. Naturally, the arms race diverts enormous 164. We are increasingly concerned over the ever- resources. Thus, for example, the means used for the growing number of accidents either in the sphere of extraction of raw materials of military importance production or, even more dangerous, as regards the could be used much more effectively, in other sectors means of modem warfare, including nuclear rockets of the national economy if lasting peace were to be which, being free of any control, are a direct danger assured. Furthermore, the uncontrolled exploitation not only to nature but also to international peace. of these mostly limited resources leads very often to increasing the economic and political dependence of 165. In considering the question of the responsibility the developing countries on foreign capital and trans- of States for the preservation of nature, it is impossible national corporations on the one hand and hinders to overlook the catastrophic consequences of the the reconstruction of their own industries on the other. American aggression against the fraternal people of Viet Nam and other countries during the years of the 171. The Czechoslovak delegation considers that so-called second Indo-Chinese war. Great quantities planned and constructive international co-operation is of natural resources and areas of forests were either an indispensable condition of an effective solution wholly or partially destroyed through the massive of the problems relating to the preservation of the use of chemical weapons, herbicides and other con- environment. Experience has shown that individual ventional weapons. During that conflict 14 million approaches based upon different points of departure bombs were dropped on Vietnamese soil. It has been weaken the over-all efforts of States and prevent the calculated that in order to create a single crater of achievement of significant progress. The multilateral the kind caused by a bomb of about 240 kilograms, it and global character and the complexity of these would be necessary to displace 67 cubic metres of problems emphasize the need for the adoption of earth, requiring almost 500 man-hours of work. This common principles and points of departure, in order clearly shows the dangerous effects on nature of the to ensure co-ordination of the activities of States on massive use of contemporary methods of warfare, not the widest possible international basis. to mention the human suffering, it causes. 172. We believethat the draft resolutionofthe Soviet 166. If today about 40 hectares of tropical forest, Union quite justifiably requires that the States Mem- which constitutes the main source of oxygen on our bers of the United Nations express their views on planet, dies every minute, it is understandable that the both appropriate measures of national control and question of the preservation of nature on our planet those measures which mightbe adopted at the interna- focuses the attention of the States of the world on tional level to encourage co-operation in this field. their historical responsibility in this respect, as This would lay a solid foundation for a more detailed indicated in the draft resolution submitted by the consideration at the thirty-sixth session of the General Soviet Union. Assemblyof the question ofthe historicalresponsibility 167. In these circumstances, everyone understands of States for the preservation of nature. the importance of measures leading to the curbing of 173. The prospects for the solution of such a vast the arms race and disarmament. Practically every and universal problem as that which we are now international agreement in this field, from the 1963 considering depend to a large extent on the strength- Moscow Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the ening and deepening of the process of international Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water to the detente, the elimination of the danger of war and the 1977 Convention on the Prohibition of Militaryor Any creation of conditions conducive to peaceful develop- Other' Hostile Use of Environmental Modification ment and progress throughout the world. If we do not