A/35/PV.71 General Assembly

Before calling on the first speaker, I should like to give a progress report to the Assembly. 2. In the last month I am pleased to say that a positive atmosphere has emerged for the launching ofthe global negotiations. As you are aware, I have initiated an extensive exchange of views on all aspects ofthis item in an informal "group of friends of the President". My purpose in so dDing was to try to achieve a meeting of minds and a thorough exchange of views on the questions before the Assembly. I should stress the ad referendum informal nature ofthese discussions, in which all groups have been represented. 3. At the outset, there was a consensus that at least four subjects should be addressed: first, the objectives of the global negotiations; secondly, the question of competence; thirdly, the relationships between the central body and the specialized agencies; and fourthly, the approach to be adopted for the negotiations. 4. There was a general wish to begin discussion with the objectives of the global negotiations. General Assembly resolution 34/138 was the keystone of this review of the objectives. I was encouraged that there was a reaffirmation of the consensus in resolution 34/138 on the purpose of the global round, and of the objectives for the negotiations. The global nature both of participation in the negotiations and of the issues for discussion was stressed. S. I am convinced that the gravity and urgency of the commitment needed for the implementation of resolution 34/138 is felt by all. This commitment can be characterized as a collective input: it is an experi- ment, even an odyssey. In my view, we face an historic task, one which impinges on all aspects of interna- tional relations. * Resumed from the 44th meeting. NEW YORK 6. In the light of the confirmation of the consensus and recommitment to the objectives of resolution 34/138, the "group of friends" next related these objectives to the five subject areas of the agenda: raw materials, energy, trade, development, and money and finance. A synopsis of alternative agenda formula- tions by all groups was undertaken, on which we have conducted a first reading to exchange views and to identify the areas on which there is a convergence of ideas. A substantial meeting of minds has taken place, in my view, in this attempt to achieve what I would characterize as a reasonable agenda. I say "reason- able" in the sense of an agenda in which all points of viewconverge, so that the strengthof the whole agenda is greater than that of its parts. 7. We have devoted many hours to this first reading ofthe agenda, and with qualified optimism I can report to the Assembly that progress has been made. The majority of items have benefited from a positive will on all sides to accommodate the views of others. I do not pretend that Oil all issues there is total agreement. However, I am optimistic that this willnot preclude the launching of the global negotiations. 8. In the areas of trade and raw materials, a useful exchange of views has been accomplished. The views of various groups have been explored thoroughly and Ido not think it willbe difficultto reach an accommoda- tion on these areas. Concerning food questions, there appears to be a substantial basis for agreement on the formulation of an agenda. Similarly, on development issues we have achieved a close understanding of the nature of the problems and the measures required to address them. As had been anticipated, a great deal of time has been devoted to discussion of the complex issues in the areas of energy and money and finance. I am pleased that in these cases also there has been a frank and direct exchange of views which has enabled us to concentrate on the specific aspects where there are differences. In the area of energy, I am convinced that it is possible to resolve the remaining divergences of view and to complete that section of the agenda. Money and finance is a complicated area; our discussions have pointed, however, to several possibilities for resolution of the differences of views. 9. I am confident, therefore, that we are close to the formulation of an agenda in which all parties will feel that their points of view are reflected. Obviously, such a formulation requires a spirit of accommodation and a degree of political will to persevere with the launching of the global round. 10. The examination ofthe agenda has led us naturally into a discussion of procedure. The crucial questions of the role of the central body and that of the specialized forums have been explored. We have also achieved a useful exchange of views on the nature and the purpose of the negotiations. The specification of the ! 1. I wished to apprise the Assembly fully of the progress made and to emphasize that all sides have expressed their willingness to achieve a meeting of minds in order to launch the global negotiations. My qualified optimism leads me to believe that we can cover the remaining ground and achieve an agreement on the agenda, procedure and time-frame which will provide a first step towards the implementation of resolution 34/138. 12. I have before me a list of those who wish to make a statement on agenda item 123. We have allotted three meetings for the consideration of this item at this stage. In order to organize our work, I should like to propose the closure of the list of speakers at 6 p.m. today. 13. There appears to be no objection, and I take it that the Assembly agrees to my proposal. It was so decided. 14. Mr. ROMULO (Philippines): Mr. President, the United Nations is fortunate to have you and the Secretary-General to lead this thirty-fifth session ofthe General Assembly because the Secretary-General has his finger always on the pulse of world public opinion. He has emphasized time and again the importance and significance of this item on our agenda. Permit me, Mr. President, to congratulate you and to thank you for your efforts-together with the group you call the "friends of the President"-·relative to the con- sultations which brought us to where we are today. IS. It is good, Sir, that you emphasized that this was a discussion among your friends in your capacity as President, because on a question ofthe vital importance of this item we needed preliminary discussions not so much,among the representatives of Governments, as among the friends of the President. How aptly you have named the group which undertook these pre- liminary discussions. You have led us to where we are today on this important item, the launching of global negotiations on international economic co-operation for development. 16. We are aware, Mr. President, of the difficulties of those consultations and of the fact that you have succeeded in great measure in narrowing the dif- ferences between the various groups. This attests to your great diplomatic skill and to your competence. Again I thank you, Sir, on behalf of the Philippine delegation. 17. We meet today to continue our task of nego- tiating a new framework for international economic relations. When I say new, I do so de'iberately, for I was one of those who signed the Bretton Woods agreement after the Second World War. We have come to need a new international economic order since the time of the drafting and approval of the Bretton Woods agreement which laid down the framework of our present international economic order. I Subsequently adopted by the General Assembly in resolution 35/63. 2 See North-South: A program for survival; report of the Inde- pendent Commission on International Development Issues under the Chairmanship of WiIly Brandt (Cambridge, Massachusetts, The MIT Press, .980), p. 276. 3 See Proceedings of the United Nations Conf~rence on Trad~ and Development. Fifth Session, vol. I, Report and Ann~xes (United Nations Publication, Sales No. E.79.II.D.I4), part one, sect. A. 4 Subsequently adopted by the General Assembly as resolution Session, Annexes, agenda item 7, document A/S·Il/25, paras. 16 35/56. and 18. 46. It therefore follows from the foregoing that the negotiations must encompass both urgent short-term measures and long-term structural measures and that, of course, there must be coherence among all such measures in all the areas mentioned in the resolution: raw materials, energy, trade, development, money and finance. On the other hand, the conference that is to carry out the negotiations should ensure the necessary co-ordination among the various contributions it may receive from its working groups or the bodies of the United Nations system in order to conclude the negotiations with a package agreement adopted by consensus in accordance with the rule it was con- sidered necessary to establish for questions of major importance. 47. In our view it is important to obtain the active collaboration of those United Nations bodies on matters within their competence. 48. It is also clear, without any doubt, that the central axis of the global negotiations is the development of the third-world countries, although it is indicated that 50. That is why all members of the international community, developed and developing alike, regard- less of their economic or social system, bear an unavoidable responsibility, although of course the responsibility of the richer countries is greater. It is not a question of generosity; it is a question of common sense. In the light of the looming dangers it would indeed be folly to pass up the present opportunity to come to an agreement on the fate of mankind. Mutual confidence and good faith are required. We in the Group of 77 are ready to make our positive contribu- tion to this common endeavour. However, it is neces- sary to overcome the resistance that still holds sway in some of the powerful countries, as if the lessons of history and the situation in which we find ourselves were not sufficiently enlightening. I say this in the light of the informal talks that you, Mr. President, promoted and concerning which you have just given us your optimistic views. We thank you for the interest you have shown in this matter. 51. Nor can we disregard the fact that in many sectors of the developed world there is a growing acceptance of the need to restructure the system of international economic relations, which is anachronistic and unjust, that is to say a growing acceptance of the new interna- tional economic order. That is brought about not only by a greater willingness to understand our problems but also by the effect the disruption of the world economy is having on those countries. 52. Among our concerns priority attention should be given to the least developed among the developing countries as well as to countries in other special categories that are faced with especially acute prob- lems. That endeavour falls squarely within the frame- work of the general attention to be given to the various proposals of the developing countries as a whole. 53. The General Assembly is about to adopt an important document, namely the International Development Strategy, whose effective impelementa- tion also requires the necessary political will that is being put to the test with the launching of the global negotiations. As indicated in resolution 34/138 and spelt out in the text of the Strategy itself, the global negotiations are called upon to contribute to the effective implementation of the Strategy. 54. Within the United Nations the international com- munity has the opportunity to demonstrate its capacity and determination to rise to show itself equal to the disquieting circumstances besetting mankind. What is at stake is the fate of all peoples; failure would perhaps be a deadly blow t.o international co-operation and solidarity. On the other hand, if we succeed in this common endeavour, which should have the genuine support of everyone of us, if it does nf't already have it, we would be ushering in a new era of justice and peace for the peoples of the world which are clamouring for that and whom we cannot disappoint. 56. Our attempts to launch the global economic negotiations can perhaps best be measured by noting that this marks the first time that the universal interna- tional community has joined together in a serious and comprehensive manner to improve the management of the world economy. 57. As everyone here will be aware, our round of discussions at the recent special session ostensibly centred on the procedural framework within which the global negotiations might proceed. However, those discussions were in reality discussions of the character and purpose Cifthe negotiations and of the perceptions toward them held by different. delegations. The Canadian perception of this North-South process was summarized a few days ago by the Honourable Allan MacEachen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, at the closing session of the North-South Round Table Conference of the Society for Interna- tional Development. Mr. MacEachen said: •'Whateverinterpretation may be made ofthe past, the rise of the South not only in numbers but in terms of power, influence, knowledge and responsibility is shaping the process into a bold attempt to achieve a new kind of partnership between North and South in the management of growing interde- pendence. Because the challenge is so great, the diversity of interests so complex and the quantum of problems that can be resolved limited at any given time, we are bound to experience some frustrations and disappointments. But let us make no mistake; the process of North-South, the means through which it will progress and its ultimate objectives, will have a profound bearing on world economic management in the years to come. It is important to understand this as we work to launch the global negotiations and begin to implement the Interna- tional Development Strategy. Weshall have to define the relationship between the global negotiations and the institutions which have served us in the manage- ment of the world economy in a way that will enhance our collective ability to further the legiti- mate interests of both North and South." 58. This process of education and clarification has been continued and enhanced by your efforts, Mr. President, in the course of the intensive round of informal consultations you have held over the past few weeks, and for that we are very much indebted to you. By concentrating largely on a possible agenda for the negotiations and refocusing our latest proce.. dural paper, we have been able to achieve a high level ofconceptual understanding and to restore a climate of confidence that had been previously seriously strained. We now have a new opportunity to resolve the remaining issues. What, then, needs to be done? 74. We are prepared to continue those discussions in a totally undogmatic spirit and to seek formulas which meet the interests of all sides. That is why, Mr. President, we supported unreservedly the initiative you took in gathering a certain number of persons around you in order to prepare the ground for the deliberations in the plenary meetings. We want to thank you very warmly for this initiative. We appreciated not only the talent, but also the perseverance and cordiality with which you conducted the debates in your group. These efforts had the great merit of having clarified the positions of the respective parties and having indicated areas of convergence on a certain number of important points. 75. Here I willjust mention some ofthese areas which seem to me the most significant. There exists a con- vergence of views on the importance of the food problem in general, and on the necessity, in particular, of dealing with the promotion of agricultural produc- tion in the developing countries, the transfer of re- sources, agricultural strategies and the question of an assured food supply, 76. As far as raw materials are concerned, the posi- tions have become closer, in particular as regards activities other than those relating to production -activities which are of particular interest to the developing countries. The same is true of the develop- ment of natural resources. In this context, the recent results of negotiations on an International Cocoa Agreement" are a good sign. 77. A convergence of views also seems to us possible with respect to market access. We hope that this question will be dealt with in the global negotiations and our attitude to protectionism as an obstacle to international co-operation has always been unequiv- ocal. The efforts that we have made in the multilateral negotiations are evidence of this. 78. In the same way, we are ready to talk about restructuring by means of positive strategies. 79. As far as energy is concerned, we have not yet reached agreement on the over-all list of problems although there has been some agreement on a certain number of important aspects. Energy, which is the driving force of the world's economy, is of interest to the international community as a whole. Thus our views seem to be more or less the same on the necessity for the international community to take steps to meet the growing needs, especially in the developing coun- 7 lbid., Eleventh Special Session, Supplement No. J, part four, annex 11. 97. However, we are actually faced with a situation where about 150 countries are prepared to start the global negotiations on the basis of a text which, although not crystal clear in all respects, is still con- sidered to provide an acceptable framework for prac- tical negotiations. Three countries do not feel that this text is clear enough, particularly with regard to the integrity and competence of the specialized forums within the United Nations system. 98. It ought to be possible to get out of this deadlock. In view ofthe very wide support given to the Crnobrnja text, it is perhaps not realistic to start from the assump- tion that this text could or should now be changed. Rather we feel that a more hopeful approach ought to be taken of considering the possibility of the three countries which have not accepted the text making some kind ofexplanatory or interpretative statement to make their position clear. If such a statement could be noted without any more comment, negotiations could then possibly start on the basis of the Crnobrnja text as it stands. As I have said before, we should all realize that in the practical negotiations the exact 109. In the present difficult situation, the global negotiations should not be seen as a danger to estab- lished patterns and to entrenched positions. They should rather be seen as a unique occasion, an occasion perhaps not soon to present itself again, for providing a basis for common solutions to both the short-term and to the long-term structural economic problems t,. which we are all affected, irrespective of economic system or development status. The global round should, in short, be seen as an occasion for us better to manage our growing interdependence. 110. These are some of the main .reasons why my Government strongly supports the launching of the global negotiations as soon as possible in 1981. 111. Mr. NISIBORI (Japan): My delegation attaches great importance to the global negotiations, since they will deal with serious economic issues which are affecting at' countries throughout the world. Indeed, we believe .at the present malaise besetting the world economy c. .,1 only be addressed through a global dialogue. Accordingly, my delegation has participated' actively, both in the Committee of the Whole and at the eleventh special session, in the preparations for the global negotiations. It was therefore a source of deep disappointment that at the eleventh special ses- sion an agreement could not be reached for launching the global negotiations. However, we sincerely welcome your efforts, Mr. President, in seeking a way out of the present impasse. In particular, we believe troij~lesome issues, includingthose relating to energy, that my delegation is ready to co-operate 'in your money and certain aspects of trade, can be settled and efforts to launch the global negotiations as scheduled. the agenda finalize~. In this regard, I should like to call attention to the fact that at the eleventh special ses- 121. Mr. THUNBORG(Sweden): This debate takes sion the Assembly did succeed in drafting the Intema- place against the background of the failure to reach tional Development Strategy, which deals with these agreement at the eleventh special session on the difficult issues. launching of global negotiations. 1IS. While recogmzing the importance of the agenda, 122. You, Mr. President, have taken it upon yourself , ' to try to bring the parties closer to each other. We we should 110t forget as we engage in drafting the wish to commend you for those efforts and we hope agenda for the negotiations that we are in no way involved in the substantive conclusions from the nego- that they will bear fruit during this session of the tiations. We all realize, certainly, that in the first stage General Assembly. of the global negotiations, when they are finally 123.' Whilepoints ofcontention and areas of disagree- launched, we shall have to conduct substantive and ment, as well as of agreement, have been further intensive deliberations in setting out objectives and clarified and defined, we still have to ask if the political guidance for each agenda issue which we are now commitment is present to initiate coherent and inte- discussing. Therefore I strongly urge that for the time grated substantive negotiations in the fields of raw being we sit down and draft an agenda that is as materials, energy, trade, development, and money and balanced and of as general a nature as possible. finance. 116.. As for the procedures, which are of crucial 124. Let me add a few words relating to the needs importance in our preparatory work, my Government involved in preparing for the global negotiations. Far is of the view that further efforts must be made to be it from me to intend to downgrade the preparatory come to an agreement on the relationship between the phase which has, now been going on for close to a central body 'of the global negotiations and the year. Both the agenda and the procedures are crucial specialized ·forums of the United Nations system. elements for successful negotiations. Onlyifthe agenda Japan fully understands the apprehension of those contains the right balance of topics can we feel Member States that want to specify and protect the reasonably sure that all those whose participation is competence' of .the specialized forums vis-a-vis the necessary to ensure a result will take part. That result central body of the global negotiations. Japan too feels should, in the words of resolution 34/138: that the competence of the specialized forums of the "Contribute to the solution of international eco- United Nations system must be respected. However, nomic problems, within the framework of the 10 Ibid.,Eleventh SpecialSession,Plenary Meet(ngs, 4thmeetina, paras. 417-420. 135. We sincerely hope that the efforts made over the past weeks will lead us to a consensus on the procedures for the global negotiations. If we recognize our mutual concems and responsibilities and display the necessary amount of Oexibility, we should be in a position to arrive at a common basis. 136. Regarding the agenda for the global round, it appears that agreement already exists on many of the items. There is, however, still a divergence of views on at least two of the major items in the fleld.ofenergy and money and finance to be included in the agenda.

Having heard encouraging statements here this afternoon, I should like to inform the General Assembly that I intend to hold further private consultations over this week-end witha viewto resolving the outstanding questions. 139. Following these week-end meetings, I would propose, after consultations with all Groups, to convene an open-ended informal meeting of the Committee of the Whole early next week, in order to consolidate the progress made to date and to expedite the conclusion of an agreement in the lightof the constraints of time which we now face. The meeting rose at 5./5 p.m,