A/37/PV.115 General Assembly

We turn now to part VII of the report ofthe Second Committee, on sub-item (g) of agenda item 71 {A/37/6lVJ/Add.6]. The Assembly will take a decision on the draft resolution entitled "Co- operation between the United Nations and the South- ern African Development Co-ordination Conference" , recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of that report. The Committee adopted that draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the As- sembly wishes to do the same?

-We turn now to part XI of the report of the Second Committee, on sub-items (k), (I) and (m) of agenda item 71 [A/37/680/Add./O]. The Assembly will take decisions on the draft resolu~ion and the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraphs 7 and 8, respectively, ofthat report. 21. In paragraph 7~ the Committee recommends the adoption of a draft resonution entitled "Long-term

We turn now to the draft decision entitled "Effective mobilization and inte-' gration of'women in development", recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. The Committee adopted that draft decision without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly also wishes to do so?

We turn now to part XII of the report of the Second Committee, on sub-item (n) of agenda item 71 [A/37/680/Add.1 I]. The Assembly wili take a decision on the draft resolution entitled "Immediate implementation ofthe Nairobi Programme of Action for the Development and Utilization of New and Renewable Sources of Energy", contained in paragraph 8 of that report. The &dministrative and financial implications of the draft resolution appear in the report of the Fifth Committee [A/37/784]. A recorded vote has been requested.

Draft resolution 11 is entitled uImmediate measures in favour of the developing countries". A recorded vote has been requested.

The terms of office of the present five members of the Consultative Committee on the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women, appointed under General Assembly deci- sion 34/323 of20 December 1979, expire on 31 Decem- ber 1982. Following consultations, I hav~ appointed the following five States as members of the Con- sultative Committee for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 1983: the German Democratic Republic, India, Jamaica, Kenya and Norway. May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of these appoint- ments? It was so decided (decision 37/326).

I understand that there is no request to consider this item at the present session. If that is the case, may I take it that the Assembly decides to include the item entitled "Question of equitable representation on and increase in the mem- bership of the Security Council" in the provisional agenda of its thirty-eighth session? It was su decided (decision 37/450).

Members will recall that, on the basis of its decision 36/463 of 20 September 1982, the General Assembly decided on 24 Septem-

I have been informed by the sponsors of draft resolution A/37/L.36 that, in order to allow for further consultations among the regional groups, they have agreed that no action be taken on that draft resoiution at the current session. The sponsors have also requested that consideration of this iter.:' be deferred to the next session. May I there- fore take it. that .the General Assembly wishes to include the item entitled "Observance of the quin- centenary of the discovery of America" in the provi- sional agenda of its thirty-eighth session? It was so decided (decision 37/45/).

The sponsor of the item en- titled "Implementation oft-he resolutions ofthe United Nations" has requested that the item be retained on the agenda of the current session. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to retain this item on the agenda of its thirty-seventh session? It was so decided. * Resumed from the 83rd meeting. 41. Since this closing meeting is being held on 21 December, when the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is celebrated, I may be permitted to offer my sincere congratulations and good wishes to the Government and delegation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, a leading Member of the United Nations and a permanent member of the Security Council. 42. It has become a tradition for Presidents to estab- lish a balance sheet""as it were, for the session each has presided over. Far be it from me to attempt to summarize in a few minutes our three months of serious discussions and conclusions. If I nevertheless take the liberty of trying to sum up our deliberations, I do so for the sole purpose of setting them against the unfavourable international conditions·in which the session has taken place. 43. Viewed from that angle, I can safely conclude that our debates, on the whole, have certainly not worsened the international climate. To be sure, the session has reflected the tensions, divisions and dan- gerous tendencies that characterize the contemporary international scene. In this respect, I would say that our discussions were not entirely free of moments that threatened this forum of essential exchange of views. We have witnessed attempts which, if allowed to suc- ceed, would have called into question the further func- tioning of the United Nations. However, common sense and responsibility prevailed and it was possible to avert the threat to the Un3ted Nations. 44. In my opening statement, at the 1st meeting, I expressed the hope that the session, while doing everything to avert further deterioration in the inter- national climate, might make a contribution, however small, to the improvement of the international situ- ation. Probably nobody will disagree with the con- clusion that the difficult issues awa!ting solutions -sometimes long overdue-have not been made more intractable by our deliberations. Let me add that in the present international atmosphere thh~ is something not to be belittled. 45. The present session of the General Assembly has coincided with the signing, at Montego Bay on 10 December, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The conclusion ofthe long process of drafting a comprehensive convention cuvering the SS. As a result of all this, the plenary Assembly is clearly overburdened. It often operates as just another committee, which may not always be in the in- terest of the issues discussed. One could go on and on, but my primary purpose in listing some of our problems is to maintain and possibly enhance interest in the further amelioration of our proceedings. 56. Having said that, it only remains for me to thank all those whose selfless and dedicated service made it possible for me to conduct the proceedings of the General Assembly. Let me thank first the Vice-Presi- dents, who have rendered great service to the Assem- bly in conducting the proceedings of plenary meetings and participating in 'the work of the General Com- mittee. 57. Now let me say a word ofthanks to the Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and Rapporteurs of the Main Com- mittees for their selfless and untiring efforts, which were so accurately reflected in the accomplishment of those Committees. 58. Special recognition is due the Secretary-General, whose close and valuable co-operation I have had the honour and pleasure to enjoy all through the session. My esteem for his wisdom, competence and modesty has only' grown as I have had more frequent oppor- tunities to appreciate his constant dedication and devo- tion to the ideals of the Organization. 59. It is difficult for any President to convey the sense of gratitude and recognition he cannot help but

I hereby declare the thirty- seventh session of the General Assembly suspended. The meeting rose at 5 p.m.