A/38/PV.39 General Assembly

As members will recall, the General Assembly, on 20 Decem- ber 1982, adopted decision 37/438, entitled "Launching of global negotiations on international economic co- operation for development". In that decision, adopted on the proposal of the President, the Assembly decided to keep the agenda item open in order to allow for the continuation of informal consultations after the suspen- sion of the session. 2. The subject has been under consideration since the thirty-fourth session, when the General Assembly, in resolution 34/138 of 14December 1979, decidedto launch, at its eleventh special session, in 1980, a round of global and sustained negotiations on international economic co- operation for development, which would include major issues in the field of raw materials, energy, trade, devel- opment, money and finance. The Assembly's decision was a response to the profound concern of the interna- tional community, and particularly of the developing countries, at the lack of real progress towards the estab- lishment of a new international economic order. 3. Today the situation is serious. A series of interna- tional meetings and conferertces has failed to achieve significant progress in the efforts of the international community to help the countries of the third world in the promotion of their development. The grave economic crisis which has afflicted the world for the last two years has had a severe impact on the great majority of the developing countries, as was pointed out in the Buenos Aires Platform, adopted at the Fifth Ministerial Meeting ofthe Group of 77, held from 28 March to 9 April 1983.1 Stagnation of the gross domestic product, indebtedness, deterioration of the terms of trade, the impossibility of obtaining financial resources on soft terms, the ravages caused by mounting protectionism and the inadequacy ofinternational liquidity have led many of the developing countries into a profoundeconomic and socialdepression. . 4. If we add to this picture the difficult situation of the poorest countries, with problems of unemployment, hunger, malnutrition and ill-health, I think I can safely say that if such conditions continue the social repercus- sions of the economic crisis may drag many of these countries into incalculable political disasters which could have harmful effects on international peace and security. 5. I believe ~hat it is a fundamental duty ofthe General Assembly, as the most representative organ of the inter- national community, to take prompt decisions designed to alleviate the short-term problems and, at the same time, to lead to negotiations with a high political content which NEW YORK will make it possible to ensure a just and balanced devel- opment of the international economy as a whole, and of the economy of the developing countries in particular and, to that end, to introduce the necessary changes in international economic relations. 6. There has been unanimous recognition of the inter- dependence of the economies of the developed and devel- oping countries. I am convinced that the economicgrowth ofeachcountryand ofgroups ofcountries largelydepends on the conditions of growth and stability in other nations. The improvement of the economic and social conditions in the countries of the South will doubtless have a favour- able impact on the recovery of the economies of the North, and that is a factor which we cannot overlook and which we should encourage. 7. The efforts which have been made to move ahead with global negotiations cannot be halted. On the con- trary, the General Assembly must revitalize them and direct them in a way which wiU enable all the parties concerned to reach long-term agreements. There are some who feel that the United Nations now lacks the capacity to do something constructive in the field of global nego- tiations at a time of acute political conflicts and mounting international tensions. In fact, it is disquieting to note that just a few weeks before the end of the third year of this decade, no progress has been made towards the goals of the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade. 8. I acknowledgethat it is difficultintheGeneralAssem- bly to arrive at definitive agreements, but it is equally true that an open and flexible political attitude on the part of all concerned can lead to the commencement of a process of broad and interrelated negotiations. Let us combine our efforts to show those who believe that the time is not ripe to make decisive progress that the Assembly can at least send out a signal of hope which will indicate that here in the United Nations a start is being made on a new process of co-operation in the economic sphere. Let us recall that this session will end on 20 December and that we have little left of the precious time allotted to us to make constructive progress. 9. The important thing in reaching an agreement on the launching of global negotiations is to abandon certain dogmatic approaches or attitudes ofdistrust which in the past have impeded consultations among various groups of countries. 10. As President of the General Assembly, I cordially invite you to co-operate in this common endeavour for the good of mankind; and I would remind you that if we are to create the climate of mutual trust which is indispensable at this difficult crossroads, we must try not to engage in mutual recriminations which very often destroy positive progress. I am prepared to do my utmost to ensure that the Assembly, with the help of all Member States and of the Secretary-General, will arrive at a wise and constructive decision that will enable us to begin global negotiations at the earliest possible date. 11. I now call on the representative of Mexico, who will speak as Chairman of the Group of 77.

The Assembly has before it a note by the Secretary- General, contained in document A/38/438. May I take it that the Assembly decides to take note of that document? It was so decided (decision 38/404).

I call on the representative of the Niger, who wishes to intro- duce the draft resolution contained in document A/38/ L.3/Rev.1. 58. Mr. OUMAROU (Niger) (interpretation from French): Since this is the first time I have spoken from this rostrum since your election, Sir, to the pre~idency of the thirty-eighth session of the General Assembly, I should like to tell you what a pleasure it is for us to see you guiding our work. Your detailed knowledge of the United Nations, its rules and its Charter, and your vast diplomatic and political experience guarantee that our discussions here will be fruitful and usefuL 59. It is a great privilege for me to introduce draft resolution A/38/L.3/Rev.l, on behalf of the States 1981, at which he presented a very eloquent message expressing the interest of the United Nations in broad co- operation with the Organization ofthe Islamic Conference. 64. Particularly since 1980, following the unanimous adoption by the General Assembly of various resolutions, the Organization of the Islamic Conference has been developing constructive co-operation in many spheres with the Secretariat and with specialized agencies of the United Nations. Proof of this is to be found in the co- operation agreements with UNESCO, WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR, FAO, UNDP, UNFPA and the Department of Technical Co-operation for Development. 65. III its summit conferences, as well as its annual ministerial meetings, the Organization of the Islamic ," the Organization of the Islamic Conference [A/38/500] has been well received. However, we earnestly hope that opera~e mor~ closely in their common search for solutions to global problems in various fields. It also takes note with satisfaction of the Secretary-General's report and endorses the proposals contained therein. 77. In the operative part, the Assembly requests the Secretary-General to continue to strengthen co-ordination of the activities of the United Nations system with a view to further intensifying co-operation between the United Nations and the United Nations system, on the one hand, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, on the other. 78. I am convinced that this draft resolution, which has been prepared by the group of Islamic States in the United Nations, after having taken into consideration all the suggestions and recommendations from various groups, will receive the unanimous approval of the members of the Assembly. 79. The PRESIDENT (interpretation from Spanish): The General Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/38/L.3/Rev.l. The,adoption of this draft resolution would not entail administrative and financial implications, since the activities referred to in it would be carried out using funds in the existing programme budgetJor the bienni1Jm 1984-1985. May I take it that the General Assembly adopts the draft resolution? The draft resplution was adopted (resolution 38/4). divid~ peoples. Groupinp"l of nations on the basis of religious sentiments or beliefs will have to be particularly mindful of these considerations. 88. We view the increasing co-operation between the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the United Nations as an indication of the readiness of the Islamic Conference to accept the Charter ofthe United Nations as thechiefrepository ofthe ideals and principles that should promote the progress of mankind. We believe that, like

I call on the representative of Senegal, who will introduce draft resolution A/38/L.5 and Corr.I. j 12. The PRESIDENT (interpretation from Spanish): I now call on those representatives who wish to explain their position. 113. Mr. SCHROETER (German Democratic Repub- lic): The delegation ofthe German Democratic Republic would like to emphasize that it fully agrees with the resolution that has just been adopted. Fruitful co-opera- tion between the United Nations and the OAU serves their high aims and purposes regarding peace and international security and the fmal abolition of colonialism, racism and apartheid. 114. During the 20 years of the existence of the OAU, the largest regional organization in the world, the inter- national prestige and influence on world affairs of the African peoples has clearly been increasing; the authority ofthe liberated African States has become an important factor in the world arena. In view of the worsening of the international situation as a consequence of the con- frontational course of imperialism's most aggressive AGENDA ITEM '1,7 Co-operation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States: report of the Secretary-General

I call on the represeutative ofTunisia, who will introduce draft resolution A/3R1L.6/Rev.1. 119. Mr. MUSTAPHA (Tunisia) (interpretation/rom Arabic): Onbehalfofthe Group ofArab States, I havethe honour to introduce draft resolution A/38/L.6/Rev.l, on co-operation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, for adoption by the Assembly. 120. This co-operation stems from the deep conviction of each of the organizations of the usefulness of broad- ening the dialogue between them and oforganizing meth- ods of co-operation and co-ordination in their common efforts in the service of the noble goals for which the two organizations were established and to which the wh01l.~ of humanity aspires. 121. It is not mere coincidence that this relationship has existed since the first years of the establishment of the two organizations, because the General Assembly, at its fifth session, through resolution 477 (V) of 1 November 1950, in fact invited the Secretary-General ofthe League of Arab States to attend all its sessions as an observer. These contacts and relations have grown closer each year for 30 years, during which time the League ofArab States has closely followed the progress of the United Nations and contributed to and collaborated with it with a view to seeing the hopes of mankind for freedom, progress and justice triumph. 122. Co-operation between the two organizations was given a new impetus after the headquarters of the League of Arab States was moved to Tunis and when, for the fust time, the item on co-operation between the United

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution as a whole? The draft resolution, as a whole. was adopted (resolu- tion 38/6). 151. The PRESIDENT (interpretationfrom Spanish): I shall now call on those representatives who wish to explain their vote. 152. Mr. MANOLATOS (Greece): The 10 member States of the European Community joined in the consen- sus on the resolution just adopted. 153. We wish, however, to take this opportunity to make ~. few remarks of a general nature. Over the last few years, the General Assembly has been faced with a growing number of resolutions of increasing.complexity on co-operation between the United Nations and various organizations with observer status. The Ten are well

My delegation joins in the consensus on the resolution pertaining to co-operation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States. We warmly welcome this co-operation between the United Nations and the long-established and well- respected League. However, we wish to explainourabsten- tion on paragraph 4 of the resolution. It is a matter of record that my delegation, along with others, has not supported all of the many United Nations resolutions relating to the question of Palestine and the situation in the Middle East. We therefore find it questionable to include political elements within this text. The paragraph also places a very heavy burden on the Secretary-General in an area of high political sensitivity. . 163. The PRESIDENT: The Observer of the League of Arab States has 'asked to be allowed to make a statement. I call on him in accordance with General Assembly reso- lution 477 (V) of 1 November 1950. I 164. Mr. MAKSOUD (League of Arab States): I should like to express the appreciation of the League of Arab States for the cqnsensus that has emerged. We regret that Canada, some of the countries in the European Commu- nity, and others', with which we have very close friendly relations, have thought fit to abstain on paragraph 4 of the resolution just adopted. I NOTES 1See Proceedings 0/the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Sixth Session, voI. I, Report andAnnexes(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.83.II.D.6), annex VI. 20/ficial Records 0/the Security Council, Thirty-seventh Year, Sup- plement/orOctober, NovemberandDecember1982, document S/1551O, annex. 3The delegations of Colombia a!1d Ethiopia subsequently informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour of paragraph 4 of the draft resolution.