A/41/PV.102 General Assembly

As a convenience to the members of the second Conmittee, and in response to a request I have received, 1 suggest that we first take up agenda i tern 40, entitied "Launching of global negotiations on inter national eCalomic co-operatioo for development". In connection with this item, representatives will recall that on 20 5eptenber 1986 the AsseiiDly decided to include this item in the agenda of the forty-first sessim. Mr. PEJIC (Yugoslavia): On behalf of the Group of 77 1 request that consideration of agenda item 40, "Launching of global negotiations on internatimal economic co-operation for developnent", be deferred to the forty-second session of the General Assemly and that it be inscribed on the agenda of that session. This request reflects the intention of the Group of 77 to seek an agreement with our partners from the developed countries on the implementation of General Assell'bly resolution 34/138. The Group of 77 very much regrets that the international conununity has been miable to reach an agreement on the commencement of global negatia tions. The reasms for that failure are to be found in the unwillingness of some developed countries to respood positiVely to the call of the Group of 77 for the launching of glooal negotiations. We, the developing countr ies, continue to attach great importance to this issue because we consider it a valid approach to the solution of pressing war ld economic problems in the interests of all oountr ies. The Heads of state or GoI7ernment of non-aligned countries, at their recent meeting at Harare, Zimbabwe, reaffirmed the conunibnent of developing countries to global negotiations (Mr. Pejic~ YUgoslavia) as the most important and comprehensive endeavour of the internatimal commlnity for the restructuring of international e(X)nomic relations, the accelerated development of the developing countries and the strengt."lening of internatimal economic co-operation. They requested the Group of 77 in New Yor k to continue its efforts towards that goal. At the same time, they urged the developed countries to demonstrate the necessary political will to enable global negotiations to be launched. For its part, in accordance with the decisim taken at the meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs held at the beginning of this session of the General Assembly, the Group of 77 is resolved to adlieve agreement 00 the launching of global negotiations. we earnestly hope that the developed countries will react in the same spir it. It proved difficult at this session of the General Assembly to engage in serious discussion on this issue. Therefore, after consulting a nun'ber of our partners from developed countries, we are proposing that the General ASse11bly decide to transmit this item to the forty-second session of the General Assembly and to keep it 00 the agenda. Mc. OTT (German Democratic Republic) ~ Speaking on behalf of the delegations of the People's ~public of Bulgaria, the Byelorussian Soviet SOcialist Republic, the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, the Hungar ian People's Republic, the Moogolian People's Republic, the Polish people's Republic, the Ukrainian Soviet SOcialist Republic, the Unj'~oo of Soviet Socialist Republics and my own country, I should like to stre,ss that those countries have from the very beginning supportea General Assembly resolution 34/138 of 14 December 1979 on glcbal negotiatioos on international ecooomic co-operatioo for development and have adYoca~d its implemen ta tion • (Mr. Ott, German Democratic Republic) This principled position has been cClltinuo\1sly confirmed at the highest party and Government levels in the documents of tile warsaw Treaty and the Council of Mltual EcCllomic Assistance (~A). At the forty-secood session of the Council of Mutual Ek:onomic ASsistance held at Blcharest last month the Prime Ministers of our countries against emphasized the importance of cCllducting global negotiations within the united Nations with the participation of all States in order to bring about a just solution to the most pressing internatiCllal economic problems. SOcialist countries have welcomed the constructive prcvisiooB of the final documents of the Eighth Conference of Heads of state or Government of Non-AligneG Countr ies held at Harare last september and of the Declaration of the tenth annual meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77 concerning fundamental international economic issues. Along that line, our countries agree wi th the pcoposal of the Group of 77 to postpooe the discussion of the item until the forty-second session of the General Assembly and to make the issue "Launching of glooal negGitia tions on interna tional ecooomic co~peration for development" a separate item on the agenda of that sessioo. The mandate for global negotiations on major international economic issues, as spelled out in General Assenbly resolution 34/138, which was adopted by consensus seven years ago, is quite clean What is required for its eventual implementation is poll tical will on the part of all coocerned. In that connection the socialist countr les, on whose behalf I have the honour to speak, would like to express once again their readiness and determination to follow a constructive and result~riented approach. The PRmmEN'I': May I take it that it is the Assembly's wish to defer its considera tion of th is item and to include it in the prcvisi onal agenda of the forty-second sessioo? It was so decided. The PIUSmENT: The ~ssenbly has thus concluded its consideration of agenda item 40.

As all members know, draft resolution A/41/L.49/Rev.1 is the result of extens ive negotia tions. I am pleased to note that it now enjoys the co-sponsorship of 19 Member States, and I wish to extend my wholehearted appreciation to everyooe for the co-operation extended in this endeavour. It is my understanding that the Assembly is now prepared to {Xoceed to take a decision on the draft reso1u tion. In this connection, I have obtained a legal opinion from the legal Counsel of the united Nations on three draft paragraphs. The legal opinion reads as follows~ "You have requested our opinion on the legal consequences of three draft paragraJ;t1s which are under consideration for inclusion in a resolution to be adopted by the General Assembly on the United Nations budgetary procesS. These three draft paragraphs read as follows: "' 5. Reaffirms that the decis ion-mak ing process is gover ned by the provisions of the Charter and the rules of procedure of the General AsselTb1y; (The Pres ident) "' 6. Agrees that, wi thout prejudice to paragraph 5 abOl7e, the Committee for Programme and Co-ordination should continue its existing practice of reaching decisions by consensus; explanatory views, if any, shall be presented to the General Assembly; 1117. Considers it desirable that the Fifth Committee, before Submitting its recommenda tions on the outline of the programme budget to the Plenary in accordance with the provisions of the Charter and the rules of procedlre, should continue to make all possible efforts with a view to establisning the broades t possible agr eement; , • "It is our opinion that these draft paragraphs read separately or toge ther do not in any way prejudice the pro~"isions of Article 18 of the Charter of the United Nations or of the relevant rules of procedure of the General Assembly giving effect to that Article." That coincides with the views expressed by all delegations. I concur wi th the foregoing, and I take it that the General Assembly also agr ees with it. It was so decided.

That statement will be annexed to the resolution. Before the Assembly proceeds to take a decision on draft resolution A/41/L. 49/Rev.l, I wish to convey to it the following informatilon received from the secretar iat: "Draft resolution A/4l/L. 49/Rev.1 would, if aoopted, have complex impli ca tions for the progr amme and budget of the Organ iza tion. It is not possible at this stage - and in particular pending the outcome of the reviews of the intergOl7ernmental machinery and of the structure of the secretariat - to indicate with any degree of precision what these implicati.ons would be. It (The President) would therefcxe be the intention of the secretary-General to report to the Assembly, both in the context of the reports called for in tbe draft reso1utioo and in the cootext of the pt'opased programme budget for the biennium 1988-1989, on the detailed implications of this resolution. If I shall now call on those representatives who wish to explain their position before a decision is taken on the draft resolution. Mr. SAMUDIO (Panama) (interpretation from Spanish): The opinion of the tatin American and Caribbean Group of States on section C of chapter VI of the report of the Group of 18, on the planning and budget mechanisms, is to be found in document A/41/960 of 8 December 1986, whose purpose was to contribute to the review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations. In that context, it is not acceptable that under the pretext of reviewing the efficiency of that f~nctioning, or under any other pretext, there should be an attempt to detract from the democratic nature of the decision-making process provided for in Article 18 of the Chartet. Nor is it acceptable fo~ the Organization's efficiency to continue to be affected by the intentional withholding by some Member States of their contributions to the regular bUdget, contributions they are obliged to make under Articles 17 and 19 of the Charter. The Latin American and Caribbean Group of States considers it appropriate to make the present interpretive declaration in order to confirm its position and to point out that paragraphs 6 and 7 of section II of draft resolution A/41/t.49/Rev.l are subject to the basic principle contained in paragraph 5 of that section, which reaffirms that "the decision-m<tking process is governed by the prOVisions of the Charter and the rules of pr(~edure of the General Assembly". The informal practice of arriving at resolutions and decisions by consensus, which should not be confused with unanimity, is useful and therefore tends to be employed in all the bodies of the General Assembly. However, as it is not a juridical norm, it is not obligatory and it does not interfere with the right of any ~ember State to seek recourse to a vote to achieve majority decisions when (Mr. Samudio, Panama) necessary. The practice of consensus is conceived of only within a process of decision-making governed by the fundamental rul~ of voting. Mr. JESUS (Cape Verde): On behalf of the African Group of States, I congratulate you, Sir, on the important results that you have achieved on agenda item 38. Your efforts, especially over the past three weeks, the patience with which you have endured, by sharing with us the long and ~omet1mes frustrating negotiating sessions, and the wisdom of your guidance were of fundamental importance in reaching a compromise. The Organization OweS you a historic debt. The African States participated in the negotiations fully conscious o£ their international responsibilities, and were guided solely by the objective of preserving and strengthening the United Nations. Our keen inter~st and deep involvement in the negoti~tions reflected our strong attachment to the Organization and the purposes for which it was created. Africa and the Org~>.i~~tion have strong historic ties. The most glorious moments of the continent's modern history - the liberation from colonial rule - are counted as outstanding achievements of the United Nations. As independent states, we were born with the blessing of the noble principles enshrined in the Charter and, since then, as its members, we have become active participants in the permanent dialogue for the fulfilment of its purposes of maintaining international peace and security and of co-operation for the development and well-being of all peoples. (Mr. Jesus, Cape Verde) These historic ties between Africa and ~he Organization and our strong attachment to its purposes and principles explain and legitimize Africa's strong commitment to the negotiations direc~ d at its ~fficiency and the strengthening of its functions. That is why since last year, when the Group of High-level Intergove~nmental Experts was created to review the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations, we, the African State~, nave taken this initiative very seriously~ and accordingly' have worked very hard to make our contribution to the outcome of that endeavour. Our responsible firmness at the negotiating table was shown when necessary. The defence of fundamental principles of international relations, inclUding the principle of the sovereign eauality of States in the United Nations, had to be dealt with firmly. Our willingness to compromise, shown time and again during the negotiations, was reflected in the flexibility that we displayed and in the many constructive proposals that we made. Some of those proposals were further built upon and later included as important elements of the draft resolution. Our co-operation with all delegations involved in the negotiations was extensively documented in the careful consideration and accommodation given by the African Group to the positions and interests of all countries and groups of countries. In short, the African Group participated in these important negotiations fully aware of the magnitude and sensitivity of the matter before us, and determineo to make every effort to preserve and strengthen the functioning of the United Nations. (Mr. Jesus, Cape Verde) Firmly committed as we are to the purposes and principles of the united Nations, we were strongly against the consideration of any auestion which directly or indirectly threatened those principles or jeopardized the attainment of those purposes. We could in no way endorse positions that would subvert the democratic rights of all Member States, particularly in the General Assembly. It is therefore with satisfaction that we acknowledge that those legitimate concerns and firm positions ~f the African States, which, after all, were shared by the overwhelming majority of Member States, if not by all, have been fully taken into account and are duly and clearly reflected in the text of the draft r9solution and its annexes. We come out of these difficult negotiations convinced that all Member States are aware of the utmost i~rtance of the United Nations as an indispensable framework where nations of the world can deb~te and search for peaceful solutions to their conflicts and where all nations representing the human race as a whole can find agreed solutions to glohal problems. The agreement reached on the reforms to be introduced into the Organization, with a view to improving its efficiency in the administ~ative and financial fields, gives us renewed hope that all countries will, in compliance with their Charter obligations, commit themselves to the dignifying task of preserving and strengthening the United Nations, in the interest of world peace and the well-being of all peoples. (Mr. Jesus, cape Verde) It is a privilege for the African countries, for my country and for me personally to have participated in, and contributed to, the successful conclusion of our work on the review of the efficiency of the United Nations. We very much appreciate the co-operation given to us by all delegations in the course of the negotiations. Their willingnesa to compromise on such an important matter, matched by that of the African States, made this historic success possible, under your patient, able and efficient guidance, Sir. We the~efore support draft resolution A/41/L.49/Rev.l. (Mc. Jesus, Cape Verde) As this session draws to an end wi th this remarkable achievement, I wish to conclude by eXpt"essing, on behalf of the African oountries, our best wishes for a happy new year to you, Sir, to the seCr1'Qtary-Gen "t"!l, to all representatives and to all members of the secretariat staff. The PRESIDENT~ May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolutioo A/41/L.49/P~ 1. without a vote? The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 41/213).

I call now upoo the secretary-General. The SEOtETARY-GENERAL: The resolution just acbpted by this Assembly on the report of the Group of High-level IntergOlTernmental Experts is of cardinal importance for the future of this Organization as an effective force for progress and for peace. This not~le achievemen t has been poss ible only because of the spirit of accommodation shown by all Member States. The measures endorsed for the imprcwement of the financial and administrative functiooing of the Organization are without precedent in their soope and detail. I believe they provide a sound basis for dlanges that will bring new confidence in the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization and facilitate the agreement among Member States on the programnes and budget that is necessary for financial and political viability. The President of the General Assembly deserves great credit for the essential role he has played in guiding the extensive discussions through various forums to a successful result. There is now much to be done. Implementa tion of the measures decided upon by the Assent>ly will be a canplex and demanding undertaking, to the success of which I am totally commi tted. I have already taken steps within my author i ty to improve resource utilization and I have made preparations within the secretariat which should permit us to move ahead expeditiously and in orderly fashion to implement the broad measures foreseen in the report of the Group of 18. (The seeretary-Gener all In stating this I must add that a nulber of impot'tan.t strands will need to· be woven into a coherent pattern during the coming year. SOme of the measures decided upon by the Assellbly require action by intergovernmental bodies~ Others which can be implemented by the seeretary-General will need to be carried out with due regard for their relationship to such intergovernmental actim. The year 1987 must also see extensive work accomplished al the pc'ograme budget for the next biennium, to include a caltingency fund and the initiatUon of pceparations for the 1990-1995 medium-term plan. The effect of the pc'ospective reforms will have to be taken into account in the process. The year 1987 will thus be a year of transition, a year in which we undertake purposefully the reforms that can be quickly begun and lay the groundwork for further rati0l1alization of structures and operations through the reviews and studies that are to be made. Clearly, there will need to be flexibility in the modalities of im?lementation. In the progress report which I shall submit to the General ASSenbly this coming May I shall give n Cull account of what has been accomplished by then and define the approaches which I believe can best be taken in achieving the purpose of the measures agreed upon by the Assenbly. As a result of the far-sighted and painstaking wor k of the Group of 18 and of the constructive actial taken by the Asserrbly today after thoughtful and constructive deliberation, we have in place the blueprint for a more efficient ()\ited Nations. The co-operation and Wlderstanding of Menber States will be necessary as we build from this the stronger edifice that all des ire. I must emphasize, as we end a year of severe financial crisis and enter another, that the major requirement in this respect, nOl!1 and in the future, is full payment of assessed cootributions in accordance with the Charter. The reform measures now to be undertaken must be accompanied by an end to the pcesent financial uncertainties (The secretary-General) if the united Na tions is to meet successfully the c:ballenges and opportuni ties. of the fI.:ature. ' In .this year, proclaimed by the Assembly as the International Year of. Peace, Memer States have cwercome substantial differences to reach agreement on the means of strengthenililg this Organization, establi.shed to ensure a peaceful world for future generations. I would hope that this same spirit and determina ticn can be applied to lessening the political differences whim underlie many of the );Coblems of the Organization, including these in t',e f!~~a"'lcial area, and that there will be a colllDOn resolve to comply with all of the prcwisions of the Charter. This hope can guide us as we mcwe ahead in the new year and beycnd to br ing to reaU ty the measures of reform on which all Member states have reamed agreement. The PRESDlENT: A nunber of delegations, including certain of its sponsors, have expcessed a desire to make statements in connection with the resolution just adopted. In view of the importance of the item under consideration, may I take it that the AssenGly agrees to hear the delegations concerned, since they hine not yet had the opportlllity to speak? It was so decided. Mr. SHIHABI (Saudi Arabia): Fir st and foremost, Hr. president, I should like to congratulate you on this acnievement. Your able leadership, the tireless efforts yoc made with your colleagues, and the hi~ly colll1lendable co-operation of the secretary-General and his staff have enabled us to reac:b the present conclusion. I have accepted with a heavy heart the resolution just adopted wiUlout a vote. Despite its anbiguity, whim initially we fOllld difficult to accomm::>date, I oonsider your explanation, Mr. President, sufficient to eliminate any ambiguity that might have been created by the terms of the text itself, and believe that nothing in the text will really hamper: the procedures adopted by the General Assenbly in its normal deliberations. (..lr. Sbihab1, saudi Arabia) Tha"t' said, 'let 'meteflect for a' nibment' upon the circumstances, \!porl the resolution itself, and up)n the atmosphere in which it was considered. Wealth" power and" authority have always been the his~ory of humanity. We have passea through eras of war and peace and have r'eached'the era of the United Nations"~ which was to rationalize wealth and harmmize poWer in a Charter with checks and b~lances to accol1mOdate the p)werful p the wealthy, the small and' the big,; to accollll1Odate all circunstances - except the fact that thewodd has become a small one. (Mr. Shihabi, saudi Arabia) During the last 40 years mor:e thtin ,100 ,countries have earned ~eir lndep:!ndence,. Our ing the last 40 Yi/ars we, have adlieved a great measure of harmony in rationalizing our differences and inreadllng agreement on many issues. Having stepped into the forty-first year of the history of the United Na:tions, we still have two problems on the conscience of the wor:ld: the problem of Palestine and that of South Africa and Namibia. I must stress the fact that - as Members are aware - leadert.'bip is not only wealth and power. In essence, leadership is mocal leadership. TI7,e ingredient of any leadership is the moral p:>wer that is inherent in it. Wealth and power without the mcxal ingredient would not be the right approach to solving problems. The moral of these two problems which remain on our conscience nCltl will always be the responsibility of this great body. I therefor:e call on all Powers, big and small, in exercising their authority, to live up to the moral responsibility that the founders of the U1ited Nations have entrusted to us. It is that moral responsibility that calls on us today to ensure that the United Nations survives, to live up to our responsibility to the organization and to pay our dues. we should be ready to reconsider any situation that might lead to failure in this respect. Mr. President, again I want to congratulate you, the secretary-General, and all representatives here who have participated in achieving this conclusion. Mr. GHAREKHAN (India): wi th the adoption of the dr aft resolution cootained in document A/41/L.49/Rev.l, which has now become resolution 41/213, the General Assembly has taken a histor ic eJecis ion. It is his tor ic not in the sense that it breaks any new ground or lays down new policies or principles," on the contrary, it reconfirms existing principles and prooisions. It is historic in the (Mr. Gharekhan, India) sense that the Organizatioft~.whichwas facing one of the most acute crises in its ~O-year li~e - some even say that it was the most acute crisis ~ has s~own once again that, .given political goodwill on all sides, it is possible to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. There was.a widespread perception that the very existence of the United Nations was in danger. Every Member, as it were, was on trial. Hence all of us might claim that we have passed the test with at least reasonably satisfactory grades. At this moment, when perhaps the universal feeling in the Assembly is one of relief, it is not necessary to go back to the beginning and recall the circumstances which gave rise to the crisis. Naturally, we cannot forget those circumstances, nor would it be wise to do so altogether. But our principal preoccupation now should be to look forward, to look ahead to the future - the not-too-distant future, but the foreseeable future. My delegation, for one, hopes that some of the underlying causes behind the controversy will not recur and that our Organization will once again become healthy, financially sound and administratively even more efficient, fully capable of tackling the social and economic problems facing the international community, in particular the developing countries. Rarely are we privileged to participate in events of such significance. It is with pride and satisfaction that we are witnessing a tangible expression of the combined will of Member. States to renew, revitalize and reinvigorate the Organization. It is pertinent to recall that over 40 years ago we had committed ourselves to the United Nations as an instrument to build a better world, not only for our generation but, more importantly, for future generations. Regrettably, in the recent past, the Organization has been SUbjected to a severe crisis challenging its very viability. We all know the causes of this crisis. My delegation trusts (Mr. Gharekhan, India) that this resolution will nelp ensure that such a crisis will not be allowed to occur again in the future. During "the preeent international situation, it is important to enSdre that the united Rations can, both n~ and in the longer term, be that strong, constructive force in world affairs that is vitally needed in our increasingly interdependent world. The resolution we have adopted by consensus clearly expresses a desire on the part of all of us to rededicate ourselves to the provisions and principles of the Charter. It is also a reaffirmation of the essentiality finally to uphold the principle of democratic functioning on which the United Nations is based. Without commitment to this basic, unalterable principle, durable solutions to the complex economic, social and financial problems facing the international community cannot be found. The fact that the sponsors were drawn from all regions of the world bolst.ers our confidence in the future of the United Nations and its role in the maintenance of peace and security and enhancing international co-operation in different sectors. We hope that the adoption of the resolution will encourage Member States to utilize further the forum afforded by the United Nations in order that it may, in fact, serve as the "centre for harmonizing the actions of nations" for the attainment of these common ends. We are glad that this resolution reaffirms the ~rinciple of according full respect to the authority of the Secretary-General as the chief administrative officer of the Organization. This will surely assist him in performing the duties assigned to him under the Charter. The implementation of this resolution places an eno~mous responsibility on the Secretary-General and on the Secretariat, which he so ably leads. We are fortunate that the Organization has at its head a person of such high eminence and outstanding qualities. We remain fully confident that the (Mr. Gharekhan, India) secretary-General, with his extensive kno~ledge and expertise, his intelligence and diplanatic skills, will carry out his tasks to the satisfaction of all Member states. It shall be ttae duty of all of us to extend to him our unstinted co-oper ation. Mr. Pres ident, I should like to place on record my delegation's deep and most sincere tribute to your leadership in dealing with this sensitive item. It is no exaggeration to say that without the qualities of tact, intelligence, firmnesel and - very important - humour that you have brought to bear throughout the protracted and, at times, painful negotiations, we could not have achieved t:he results that we have succeeded in achieving. '!'he many long hours that you pecsooally spent in guiding the negotiations, with the help of your enthusiastic aides, is a testimony to your commitment and that of your coun try tc the Uni ted Nations. For me and my delegation it was an honour to have been associated with the decision-making processes of the past two weeks. In short, Mr. pre~ident, the confidence that we placed in you on 16 September has been justi fied beyond our expectat.ions. For all this, we and the Organization remain indebted to you. Mr. SHAH NAWAZ (Pakistan): My delegation congratulates you, Mr. President, on the adoption of resolution 41/213, entitled "Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations". Its adoption is indeed a major achiev~ment of the present session of the General Assembly and a reflection of the hope of all the Member States that, as a result, the vnited Nations will be stronger and, at the same time, more effective in fUlfilling the letter and spirit of its Charter. My delegation supported the initiative taken by Japan at the fortieth session of the General Assembly and welcomed th~ establishment of the Group of High-level Intergovernmental Experts to Review the Efficiency of the Administrative and Financial Functioning of the United Nations. OUr support of the Japanese proposal stemmed from our conviction that the proposed Group of High-level Intergovernmental Experts would not interfere with the prerogatives of the Secretary-General as the Organization's chief administrative officer and might actually assist him in implementing reforms in sensitive areas for which the support of the Member States was imperative. We were happy to see that the Group of 18 was able to reach agreement on wide-ranging issues affecting nearly all aspects of United Nations work. While we had difficulty with some specific recommendations contained in the report, we found that on balance the report was a useful tool for remodelling the method and content of the work of the United Nations and intergovernmental mal~hinery and for streamlining its administrative and budgetary functicniog. Our belief in the United Nations and our commitment to its purposes and principles encouraged us to dedicate ourselves, in co-operation with all the delegations, to finding solutions to the overriding financial problem confronting the current session of the General Assembly. We have remained involved in this effort from the very beginning of the debate on the issue in the General Assembly (Mr. Shah Nawaz, Pakistan) which culminated in the agreement reached last night by the negotiating team under the President's chairmanship. We also participated actively in the technical considerations given to the report of the Group of 18 by the Fifth committee and in the work Qf the Consultative Group, which deliberated over the matter from 12 to 18 NOvember under the chairmanship of the Permanent Representative of Malaysia, Ambassador Yusof M. Hitam. As the President rightly pointed out in the Committee's meeting this morning, it was in that Consultative Group that the various positions were clearly formulated and presented, enabling the negotiating team to conclude its work successfully. We therefore take this opportunity to congratulate Ambassador Yusof for his contribution to the evolution of a final resolution on this subject. Mr. President, it was a memorable experience for us to have participated in the deliberations of the negotiating team under your chairmanship. We were able to agree on a text because all of us had moved in a spirit of accommodation and understanding. The text of the resolution just adopted will· have an impact on all elements of the functioning of the United Nations, above all on the central issue of the planning and budgetary mechanisms, without detriment to the principles and provisions of-the Charter. We are confident that our decisions today will effectively improve the Organizatio~'~ administrative and financial functioning. I should like to place on record my delegation's deep appreciation to you, Mr. President, for the able and skilful manner in which you presided over Ollt work and brought to a successful conclusion our deliberations on an issue of great technical complexity and political sensitivity. It is no exaggeration to say that this successful outcome would not have been possible without your imaginative leadership and the commitment and tireless efforts of your dedicated colleagues. (Mr. Shah Nawaz" Pakistan) The special ties between our two countries and our close personal relations entitle us to feel a deep sense of pride in your accomplishment. Let me also congratulate the Group of African States at the United Nations for its outstanding contribution to the s~ccess of our joint endeavours at both the political and technical levels. Above all, the role played by the representative of Cape Verde, Ambassaror Jose Luis Jesus, merits our special recognition and generous tribute. H~ has demonstrated extraordinary negotiating skills and qualities of statesmanship that deserve fulsome praise. Equally, I wish to congratulate Ambassador Reid of the United States and his colleagues for their flexibility and readiness to negotiate which made this agreement ~ossible. All of us have worked hard during this session of the General Assembly to evolve recommendations that would ensure the future of this Organization. Let us hope now that we shall continue to work together to ensure that they are implemented in accordance with the letter and the spirit of the Charter for the betterment and strengthening of this Oi JPization. Mr. GUMUCIO GRANIER (Bolivia) (interpretation from Spanish): Bolivia wishes to reiterate its support for the role of the United Nations, for the work of the Secretary-General, and for the Organization's administrative and financial efficiency. We endorse the statement by the Group of Latin American and caribbean States made a few minutes ago by the Ambassador of Panama. None the less, my Government is concerned by the trend in international forums to seek consensus - or unanimity - even though it may sometimes result in a document of dubious value. A more accurate term might be "undemocratic", because the democracy which we try to preserve in our countries is based on the will of the majority, as expressed by the vote. Adoption by consensu~on the otaer hand, imposes criteria that mask delegations' positinns. This is obviously inconsistent with the pluralism which should prevail in the international community. At its fortieth session the General Assembly adopted resolution 40/237 without a vote so as to demonstrate unanimous support for changes in the Organization~s administrative and financial functioning. My delegation, though not in agreement with bome of the provisions of the resolution, did not formally oppose them because they were procedural in nature and we wished to b~ flexible. But now my delegation finds that the way in which the report was dealt with at this session - both in the plenary Assembly and in the Fifth OOmmittee, under agenda item 38 - was partial and somewhat confusi~~1 In the Fifth Committee factual, technical findings were discussed that did not make it possible for States Members duly to formulate their objecti~ns eo the report as a whole or to its individual recommendations. Hence it might have been thought tbat on the first five chapters of the report on which there was u1aanimity among the experts who prepared it there might also have been unanimity are~ng the Member States. That is not the case. Indeed, in respect of the 67 recommendations contaihed in the first five ch3pters ·the Bolivian delegation stated that it did not agree with 18 of them and that it found seven of them unacceptable, specifically recommendations 6, 7, 24, 25 (3), 27, 37 (3) and 61. In this connection we reite !te that, although the resolution just adopted - document A/4l/L.49/Rev.l - decides .that the Secretary-General and the competent bodies should implement those recommendations, so far as the recommendations of the Group of 18 are concerned my delegation records its reservation that it does not agree with the aforementioned criteria. I reiterate that the lack of efficiency resulting from the Organization's financial crisis is the responsibility of neither the Secretary-General nor the staff of the international civil service. My delegation does not agree that the ,inte~nat!onal staff is overpaid or that it has too many privileges. On the contrary,' the international civil service should be given every support and all the incentives needed so that it can accomplish its work. My delegation stresses that if draft resolution A/41/L.49/Rev.l had been put to a recorded vote, we would have abstained on the draft resolution in general and voted against paragraph 6 for reasons of principle. Mr. OTT (German Democratic RepUblic): On behalf of the People's Republic of Bulgaria, the Byelorussian'Soviet Socialist RepUblic, the Czechoslovak Socialist RepUblic, the Gern~n Democratic RepUblic, the Hungarian People's Repu1ic, the Mongolian People's Repuhlic, the Polish People's RepUblic, the Socialist RepUblic of Romania, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Union of Soviet Socialist Rapublics, I have the honour to explain their principled position on auestions concerning the report of the Group of High-Level Intergovernmental , Experts to Review the Efficiency of the Administrative and Financial Functioning of the united Nations. The countries I have the honour to represent have supported the resolution on the report of th0 Group of Experts although the document before us does not fully take into account all our ideas and interests. The resolution, which contains useful recommendations, is the result of lengthy and difficult consultations. They have been successful thanks to the untiring activities of representatives from all groups of States in various negotiating bodies and the active and constructive contribution made by the socialist States. I should like to take this opportunity to express to you, Mr. President, the special thanks of the group of states on whose behalf I have the honour to speak for your wise and apt guidance of the negotiations. (Mr. Ott, German Democratic Republic) The support our group of Stateg has given the recommendations agreed upon is an expression of the principled commitment of our'States to th~ United Nations and to the purposes and principles enshrined in its Charter. It is an expression of the interest of the socialist States in a strong and efficient United Nations, which has to contribute to averting the danger of a nuclear inferno, to ending the arms race on earth and preventing its spread to outer space. The priority of these vital auestions of mankind, which in the nuclear and space age have become auestions of survival, was clearly underlined at the meeting of the highest representatives of the Soviet Union and the United states in Reykjavik, and they will remain on the agenda until they are settled. What is imperative now is to invigorate, in the united Nations too, the policy of result-oriented political dialogue and of establishing a world-wide coalition of common sense and realism. There is urgent need for the United Nations also to overcome social and economic injustice, poverty and hunger, to implement human rights and to eliminate oppression and exploitation. Today we need the United Nations more than ever before as a centre for dialogue, understanding and co-operation. At this juncture I once again assure the General Assembly that the socialist States on whose behalf I have the honour to speak are profoundly interested in the potential of the united Nations to.he used more effectively, which in our view can be achieved by, inter alia, making its proceedings and its main bodies more democratic. We stand for an all-round strengthening of the political, legal and moral positions as well as of the authority and effectiveness of the world Organization, and will do our utmost to help overcome the Organization's short-term and long-term problems. Sir John TROMSON (United Kingdom): I have the honour to make a brief statement on behalf of the 12 member States of the European Community. Mr. President, the Twelve have watched with admi~ation your skilful and untiring efforts over the last weeks to achieve a satisfactory solution to this issue. Those of us who have had the privilege of working under your personal direction have especially come to appreciate your determination, your common sense and your good humour e The Twelve would like to pay a personal tribute to you and to your staff for unflagging efforts on behalf of us all and for the sake of the Organization itself e The resolution deals with issues of major importance: the administrative and financial efficiency of the United Nations and the planning, programming and budgeting process of the Organization. It is no exaggeration to say that those issues were examined intensively. We can recall no other single report that has commanded so much of the time, effort and interest of delegations. The views of the Twelve on the report of the Group of 18 were set out in the plenary in October. We believe that the resolution we have just approved represeflts a careful, balanced approach to a complicat~d and intractable set of problems. For our part, we never expected negotiations to be easy, and so it ha9 proved. Naturally, the resolution does not satisfy all Member States fully in all respects. But we accept the outcome as an essential stage in the improvement of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations. The negotiations over recent weeks have demonstrated the ability of Member States to make common cause for the sake of the Organization in order to enhance its efficiency and reinforce its effectiveness. ~he manner in which those negotiations have been carried out - in the spirit of pragmatism and mutual accommodation, accompanied by a firm determination on all sides to uphold the Charter, its principles and purposes - is a good augury for the future of the United Nations. It is now for us, the Member States, to continue along the path that has been so well defined. The Twelve will follow with the utmost interest the implementation of this resolution, beginning in 1987. They wish to reassure the Secretary-General of their continuing co-operation in his task of overseeing this process and to reaffirm their 'political and financial commitment to the . Organization. The Twelve wish to pay tribute to the Government of Japan, the originators of the process which has led to this juncture and to the Group of 18 and its Chairman, the Permanent Representative of Norway. Finally, we wish also to commend the dedication, the professionalism and the goodwill shown by all those who have taken part in these negotiations. All of us together have demonstrated how countries with very different interests and goals can come together for the common good. Mr. Q3EID (Ghana) ~ Now that we have a resolution that reflects the will of the General AsselTbly, our difficult task has come to an end. Apart from approving those agreed measures reconmended by the lS-member Group of High-Level Intergcwernmental Experts, the document gives reoognition to a tradition of making decisims by consensus in the budgeting process of the United Nations' and strengthens the role of the Committee for Programme and Co-ordination in adopting the bUdget. The road towards the resolution has been loog and arduous, but, if it creates the necessary environment and Wlderstanding that would ensure the Organization's viability, then those agonizing hours that went into the formulation of the resolution would not have been in vain. ~ain, this document not only represents an impressive and important achievement in multilateral diplol1BCY~ it also bears testimony to the good sense and conmitment of Member States to the purposes and principles of the united Nations. Threatened with the s~ctre of a collapse of their thite,,' Nations, Merrber Sta tes have stood firm and, by sheer tenaci ty of purpose, have also wor ked hard to achieve what can become an important milestooe in the history of the Organization. Those of us from Africa who took part in this historic effort had no illusioos about the magni tude of the problem when we began the negatia tions. It was our comni tment to the Organization that sustained us. As the Group of 18 pointed out in its report, OITer a nurrber of years the con tent and level of the budget of the Organization had been plagued by disagreements arising out of dissatisfaction with aspects of the Organization's management and administrative functicning. Those problems were compounded by shortcomings in the planning and budget procedures of the Organization. Instead of an integrated process through which wide agreement could evolve on activities to be financed from the budget, the procedures lacked the dynamism that would ensure this measure ofagreement. MelTber States felt that they were not sufficiently involved in the budget process and could only pronounce on it at a very late stage. (Mr. Gbeho, Ghana) In this regard, the adoption of the resolution should restore Mell'ber States' confidence in the process. For, apart from recognizing the Member States' attachment to a full respect for the pt'OITisions of the Charter, its principles and its aims, the resolution introduces a system that will enable Member States to be involved, in"a structured manner, in the planning, (Xogramming and budget procedlres from the very beginning and throughout the process. It also makes possible the establishment of guidance to the secretary-General by Memer States on the over-all legel of resources to accomnodate the activities of the Organization during the biennium and on priorities. By calling for strict application of existing rules and regulations by intergovernmental bodies exmcer ned and by the secretariat, the resolution facilitates the chances of achieVing an imprOlTement in the efficiency of the adminstrative and financial functioning of the Organization, which would contribute to the strengthening of its effectiveness in dealing with political, economic and social issues. The nCNel idea of an outline with which the budget process starts and wi th which MenDer States would be actively associated through the Commi ttee for Progr amme and Co-ordination should ensure the necessary participa tion whiCh the previous procedures lacked and which gave rise to so ouch mistrust and dissatisfaction. An initi"al agreement by Member States - on such elements as a preliminary estillBte of resources to accomllDdate the proposed programme of activities during the biennium; priorities reflecting general trends of a broad sectoral nature; real growth, positive or negative, canpared with the previous budget; and the size of a contingency fund expressed as a percentage of the over-all level of resources - had the merit of assisting the process in a positive way, and Merrber States should give ita try. (Mr. Gbeho, Ghana) It is also our hope that the process of decision-making as agreed dur ing the negotiations and Cl$ reflected in the present resolution will prOlOOte that degree of understanding and spirit of compromise that should underlie our individual effcxts at creating a better world~ In my earlier statement on this item I ventured the hope that Mamber States would not let this opportunity slip by to come together to take those decisions that will result· in a united Nations capable of enjoying the wider confidence and cohesion required by the global imperatives it was created to meet. 'l\:)day's adoption of this historic resolution leads me to believe that the appeal has not gone unheeded. It has demonstrated the strength of our attachment to the survival of the wor Id body. In oonclus ion, Mc. President, let me pay tr ibute to your wisdom, your pa tience and your indefatigable spirit in guiding to a successful cooclusion these most delicate and complex negotiations. In thus seeing us rescue the Organization from the brink of financial collapse, you have saved not only the thited Nations but also the interests of humankind. We are hoooured to have been associated with you in this regard. OUr appreciation also goes in equal measure to all those who have been associated wi th this giant effort, especially those memers of the individual .delega tions that, in var iaus ways, made it possible for this his tor ic resolution to see the light of day. We thank all of them and are happy to be associated with th is his tor ic occas ioo • Mr. KIKUCHI (Japan): On behalf of my delegation I should like heartily to welcome the adoption of draft resolutioo A/4l/L.49/Rev.l, "Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations". As a delegation which, just oyer a year ago on the eve of the fortle th ann iversary of the United Nations, initiated the proposal to set up the Group of High-Level (Mr. Kikuchi, Japan) IntergOl1ernlllental Experts in an effort to revitalize the Organization and renew confid!nce in tt)e Unitea Nations, we feel particular satisfaction at the consumation of that effort. From the beginning to the end of our arduous negotiations, our initiative was motivated by a genuine desire to review and imprOl1e the administra tive and financial fWlcticm ing of the O1i ted Rations, without, of course, prejudice to the Charter of the Organization - no more and no less than that. M'i' delegation feels most gratified that this basic Objective has been fully accepted. The resolution just adopted contains more comprehensive and constructive measures for refcxm than any similar efforts in the past. The resolution is a prcduct of the intensive efforts of all delegations to secure the future of our organization by establishing a comlllCl'l gromd acceptable to the entire mellbership. (Mr 'J Kikuc::hi, Japan) Mr. President, it is because of your tireless efforts, initiative, enthusiasm and imagination that what has been perhaps one of the most difficult and painstaking series of negotiations in the recent history of the Ulited Nations has met with suc:c:ess. I recall that during the general debate on the report of the Group of 18 in this Assellbly Hall, I appealed to you, in view of the report's vi tal importance and its implications ·for the future of the united Nations, to guide our deliberations in this House person~Uy, so that we might arrive at a satisfactory conclusion. This you graciously agreed to do because of your deep colllllitment to the cause of the united Nations. My delega tion would like to pay a special tr ibute to you, Sir, and to all of the delegations to the united Nations for the high level of statesmanship that has Character ized these negotiations. In particular, my delegation appreciates the positive attitude shown by the African delegations. I would be remiss if I did not also mention the. great contr ibutions made by two of the Vice-Presidents of the General AsseJd:lly, who at one stage or another of our negotiations played an important role, under your mandate, Mr. President - namely, Ambassador Yusof Hitam of Malaysia and AJlbassador George Maciel of Braz il. The United Nations has taken an epoch-making step forward towards administrative and financial reform. But all of us know that \rlhat is more important than adopting a resolution is its implementation. Realizing as we do that this is no easy task to fulfil, we have to implement the resolutioo 'fully in order to il1crease the efficiency of this wor ld body and, indeed, to secure the very survival of this universal Organization. The eyes of the world will henceforth focus on how the United Nations as an organization is going to p.1t the contents of our resolution into pcactice. In this connectioo, my delegation (Mr. Kikuctli, Japan) . welcomes the statement just made by the secretary-General, in which he expressed his full coumitment to the speedy &H61. effective implementation of the resolution. My delegation sincerely hopes that Menber States and the secretary-General will work together to effectuate th.e speedy and effective implementation of this resolution, so as to preserve and strengthen this irreplaceable wexld Organization. I should like to place it cm record that the Government of Japan will s pare no effort in co-operating w1 th this endeavour. Mr. WALTERS (Olited Sta~s of America); on 15 OCtober I stood before you, Mr. President, and the Hemer States asseDbled here to deliver the tl'lited States statement on the review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial funct1cming of the tl'li ted Nations. At that time I said that the tl'li ted Nations was at a critical juncture ~nd that United States concern about the united Nations and resulting criticisms of it reflected the deep-seated attachment of the United States to the ideals of the Organization. I urged delegations not to sacrifice the possibilities of the future but rather to seek practical improvemen'o: and structural rencwation so that we all might turn this time of cr isis into an era of renewal. I explained that efforts of the United States at pr01'Oting reform were devoted to restoring and strengthening the important cartributions that the tl'lited Nations had to make to international peace, freedom and progress. Having said those things, I am particularly pleased to be here today for the adoption of this resolution. It is a tribute to the Olited Nations and its ideals and to the M:!mber States that engaged in its formulation throughout the Assembly's extensive debate and during the lcmg weeks, days and hours of negotiation under your expert guidance, Mr. President. The refocm measures embodied in this resolution represent hope for the future of the tl'lited Nations and, more importantly, for the people whom we here in this Rouse represent. We all owe a great deal to the GOvernment of Japan, which fir st advanced the idea of the Group of 18, to the mel'lbers of that Group and to its Chairman, Ambassador Tom Eric Vraalsen, Permanent Representative of Norway, for their devotion to the OrgSlizatiCXI, for their in'dividual and collective ingenuity and for their willingness to stand behind their convictions. None of what we have accanpliShed during this session of the General Assellbly would have been possible without their efforts. The United States believes that the aCbption of this resolution is the beginning, not the end, of a Process of reforminlj lAld imProving the (hi ted Nations in the interests of all its MeJlbers. Central to this process, in our view, is the use of consensus in establishing the framew«k for the Olited Nations budget. Guidance given to the 5ec;retary-General in this area will now reflect broad agreement among the menber ship. As has been suggested, it ifS unheal thy for an institution when. Member States which contribute 75 per cent of the funds of the thited Nations still feel compelled to vote against or abstain CXI the mited Nations budget in order to expr:ess their disagreement with the level or type of eXPend!tures. As a result of what we have achieved today, Mel'lber States, thrOUgh good-faith negotiation, will now act by consensus <Xl the important budget issues that previously prOU'ed so divisive. This is fundamental, indeed absolutely essential, for the long-term Viability of the tl'lited Nations. Were this new process to break down, we wQuld find ourselves back where ':tie started, in a situation unacceptable to all of us. What we have done has turned rhetoric into reality. we have turned a crisis of credibility into a demonstration of what the tl'lited Nations may achieve when (Mr. walters, United States) Menber states work towards agreement on important and highly sensi tive issues. Member States should not forget what we have all accollplished. What was thought impossible by many has been made possible by all. If this is dooe today, it can be done tomorrow. Before I conclude, Sir, I wish to express the deep grati tude and appreciation of the tbited States delegation and the American people that it ~epresents in the United Nations for the superb way in which you have executed your responsibilities as President of the General Assen'Dly. Without a doubt, your judgement, wisdom and perseverance have served ~mber States admirably throughout this sessioo, and particularly during the successful consideration of this very sensitive and very important issue. Mc. STROMIDIM (Sweden): ~ a co-sponsor of resolution 40/237 of 18 Decenber 1985, which led to the establishment of the Group of High-level Intergovernmental Experts to Review the Efficiency of the Administrative and Financial Functiooing of the trlited Nations, Sweden is pleased with the outcome of the deliberations under item'38 at the forty-first session of the General Assenbly. My delegation welcomes the fact that it was possible to reach consensus in the negotiations, under your personal direction, Mr. president, during the past weeks. It recognizes, with appreciation~ the tremendous efforts and good will that have gone into this process. In this connection, my delegation pays a tr ibute to Japan, as the initiator of this process, as well as to the High-level Group itself and to its Chairman, Ambassador Vraalsen of Norway. The SWediSh Minister for Foreign Affairs stated on 25 septenber 1986 that the recommenda tions of the Group cons ti tu ted a good bas is for wor k on reforms. (Mr.Stromholm, ~weden) My delegation believes that the examination of the report made by the Fifth Committee during the current session has proved to be useful and helpful for the Assembly in taking a decision. The Swedish delegation regards the resolution just afopted as a response to a generally recognized need for reforms in the financial and administrative areas. At the same time, it is obvious that the review of the Group of 18, as well as the Assembly's deliberations, has been undertaken during a period in which the United Nations faces a severe financial crisis. with respect to the wider picture, the Swedish Government believes that a revision of the present method of assessing contributions is an essential reform which should be inclUded in a comprehensive solution of the problems facing the united Nations. It remains the conviction of my Government that a more even apportionment of assessments would reflect, better than at present, the fact that the united Nations is the instrument of. all nations. The Organization would be less dependent o~ contributions from any single Member State. This, in turn, would be likely to improve the balance and coherence in the functioning of the world body, thereby enhancing its efficiency and effectiveness. Reform means change for the better. All institutions benefit from reform now and then. The resolution just adopted marks a beginning. The implementation of the reform measures rests with Member States and with the Secretary-General and his programme managers in the Secretariat. The Swedish Government believes that the exercise of the authority and responsibilities of the Secretary-General, as chief administrative officer of the Organization, will be the decisive factor in the years ahead. Management skills and a high degree of professionalism will be reauired to secure an efficient, effective and viable world Organization. (Mr. Stromholm, Sweden) In that context, I wish to underline the importance of a strong financial control funct!on, in the form of an efficient Office of Financial Services, headed by the Controll~r. With respect to the role of Member States, let me assure the Assembly that Sweden will participate as actively as possible in the follow-up and implementation of the reform measures adopted by the Assembly. Let me also reiterate the well-known position of my delegation that unless all Member States fulfil their financial obligations under the Charter, by paying in full and on time their assessed contributions~ the united Nations will continue to face serious problems. Once again, Sir, I pay my tribute to you for having brought this item to a successful conclusion. Sweden was pleased to join in the consensus decision. Mr. MUDENGE (Zimbabwe): I wish to convey my delegation's appreciation to you, Sir, for the determined manner in which you have directed the negotiations on this important item. The Assembly is much indebted to you and to all the negotiators. My delegation's commitment to genuine reform of the united Nations and to raising the level of efficiency and effectiveness of our Organization has been stated on many occasions. It was in a spirit of actively supporting this reform process that my country agreed to serve on the Committee of 18 and the Committee of 27. There is much in the report of the Committee of 18 and in the resolution that my country welcomes and is happy to support and promote. I do not intend to single out those recommendations that we can live with. They have largely to do with the proposed administrative improvements. (Mr. Mudenge, Zimb&bwe) My delegation believes that to most of us here the main purpose of the exercise we have gone through has been to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the united Nations system. However, we are aware that there were other efforts that were not necessarily aimed at promoting the democratic character of this body. This was, is and will continue to be a cause of anxiety to most of us. It is for that reason that Zimbabwe wishes to place on record its understanding of the crucial paragraphs 6 anC 7 on the budgeting process, which have a potential for subverting the democratic principles governing the Organization. It is our understanding that the existing practice of the Committee for Programme and Co-ordination in reaching decisions is to do so without a vote. It is therefore our interpretation that the phrase "existing practice of reaching decisions by consensus" when applied to the Committee's present practice can mean only the prac~ice of coming te decisions without a vote. Otherwise, it has no meaninq at all. It is also my delegation's understanding that the Committee cannot be said to have a single practice of arriving at its decisions. Conseauently, we take it that the word "p~acticen in the English text is used in the plural form, just as is the case in the unofficial language of the text, and therefore the Committee is not being restricted by paragraph 6 to following anyone practice. zimbabwe recognizes that in the English language "consensus" has at least three meanings. First, it may be taken as being synonymous with general agreement - or unanimity, for short. Secondly, it may designate a judgement arrived at with the concurrence of most of those concerned. That is, it reflects the majority view. Finally, it may be eauated with group solidarity, sentiment and belief. (Mr. Mudenge; Zimbabwe) Given this array of possible interpretations of ·consensus·, my delega~ion is of the view that the only interpretation that is in consonance with paragraph 5 is its second meaning: a judgement arrived at with the concurrence of most of those concerned - that is, it reflects the majority view. Zimbabwe therefore rejects as invalid any interpretation that seeks by the purported codification of a delaying mechanism in the decision-making process of the Committee for Programme and Co-ordination to derogate from the operational provisions of the Charter and the General Assembly's rules of procedure. with those few observations, we hope that those who have 'brought us here by withholding their assessed contributions will now accept their obligation to the Organization. For if that does not happen, this will have been an exercise in futility, significant only in that the sharks have had an opportunity to taste blood. o ALATAS (Indonesia); The resolution we have j~st adopted can Mr. undoubtedly be regarded as CIle of the major 'ac:nievements'of this forty-first session of the General Assembly. I therefore join those who have spoken before me, and Pfiy a warm tribute to you, Mr. President, for the laudable and dedicated efforts you have exerted to help us arrive at the pcesent consensus. our sincere appreciatia1 goea also to those delegations that have worked closely with yo~ in the negotiating group throughout these past agonizing weeks. I would be less than hooest if I were to say that my delegation is entirely satisfied with the text before us. However, being realistic, Sir, we concur with you that Wlder the present circuma,tances draft resolutioo A/4l/L.4 9/Rev.l, which we all knOltl was the result of loog and painstaking negotiations, represented the best possible canpromise at this time. It is clear that tllhat we have achieved today is but a first step in our effort to address the complex issues of the administrative and financial fWlctiooing of the Ulited Nations. As recommendations 16 and 25 of the report of the Group of 18 clearly suggest, and as is new indicated in section I of the resolu tion just adopted, qui te a nunber of the recommenda tions of the Group of 18 - for instance those in chapter 11 of ii:S report, on the intergovernmental mac:ninery and its fWlctiooing, and in chapter Ill, 00 the structure of the secretariat - imply the need for further studies or reviews before final decisions can be taken. we expect that the studies or reviews that are going to be made will take into accoWlt not only the views of the Group of 18, but also the views expressed by delegations during the debate on agenda item 38. In that regard, my delegation maintains its view pertaining to the structure of the secretar iat, namely that any fundamental change affecting the status of secretariat units established by intergovernmental decision should have the apprOl7al of the relevant intergOl7ernmental bodies and cannot be left solely to the discretion of the secretary-General. (~r. Alatas,' Indonesia) In conclusion, let me express the hope that the major steps we have just agreed to take will indeed lead to the strengthening of the role of the United Nations and to achievement of the objectives of its Charter. TO that end, I deem it appropriate to reiterate what I have already stated in our earlier debate on this item:. that in the cattext of resolving the current financial crisis the effort to enhance the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the Uli ted Na tions mus t be accanpanied by a renewed commitment of explici t suppor t for the Organization by all Member States, in accordance with their Charter obligations. Mc. RAIMA (Oman) (interpretation from Arabic):. Now that the General Assenbly is about to suspend its forty-first session, having adopted by consensus draft resolution A/41/L.49, "Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functiating of the United Nations", my delegation wishes to congratulate you, Mr. Pres ident, as well as the other Assembly officer s, the member s of the Group of 18 and all those who participated in the various groups set up to collaborate in the formulation of the report, on your fruitful efforts to (roduce a resolution acceptable to all concerned. Everyone must suppor t the effor ts of the secretary~enerah there must be greater ac:Jlerence to Charter provisions and to General Assenbly tules of procedure if we are to ensure peace and security to all those who believe in enhancing the role of our Organization. By the same token, Mltual trust and good will are vital if we are to achieve the noble purposes of the United Nations Charter. The best way to attain that goal and to breathe more strength and effectiveness into the United Nations, is for all Members to fulfil their Charter obligations. Only thus can the Organization achieve its purposes in today's world - a world beset by preparations for bilateral, regional and international conflict. (Mr. Rahma, Onan) Only through persistent, sincere efforts to (XO'lide all people with a life of ~ignity, peace and security can th·e United Nations eliminate the spectre of war. Mr. KITTANI (Iraq) \ on 15 OCtober last, my delegation had occasion to present its views on the fundamental issues underlying this item. I shall not repeat them now, especially since previous statements this afternoon have made this redundant. Instead, I wish to share with members some thoughts for the next 12 mcnths. I wish briefly to address four or five points. If the eUphoria so clearly manifested this afternoon in this Hall is not to disappear into thin air - as did the eUphoria present here for two weeks during t.he ooumemoration of the fortieth anniversary of the Organization - at least some of the hopes I am about to express must be realized. First, nothing, in my hunble opinion, would enhance the chances of translating the important resolution we have just adopted into reality so mob as imme-iiate action by those Men'bers that are in arrears in their contributions to the regular budget - illegally in arrears - to end their de1irquency without any further delay and pcanptly meet their obligations to the budget of the United Nations. I hope they will do so. That would open th'e door upon a new era of co-operation in the implementation of the resolution just adopted. The secretary~eneral has again made an urgent appeal in that regard, and we endorse it. In practice, When we say "Member States" we mean the executive branches of the Go'lernments of those States, for the thi ted Nations always calls i teelf an intergovernmental organization. My second hope is that Member States - and their executive branches in partiCUlar - will do everything in their power to counter the constant "United Nations-bashing". I hope that, if today's ach ievement means anything it means that every Men'ber Go'lernment will do everything in its power to restore confidence in the United Nations and in the credibility of the Organization, and to make e~tra efforts a~ti~ely .to counter, within its national boundaries, those forces ~at are out to destroy the united Nations and that continuously tell us that there is no constituency for the thited Nations in their country. (Mr. Kittanf, Iraq) (Mr. Kittani, Iraa) I always thought that in each country the strongest constituency for the United Nations was precisely the executive branch of that Government which is . responsible for undertaking the obligations on behalf of that State under the Charter. The third point I should like to emphasize once again is the enormous role of the Secretary-General in this very area of administrative and financial reforms. It is our hope and prayer - and our appeal - that the Secretary-General will not be deterred: on the contrary, that he will be encouraged to exercise fully his Charter mandate, as well as other mandates given to him by the General Assembly, and that he will be encouraged to play an active part, with the full co-operation of Member States, instead of their constantly trying to deprive" him of that which is rightfully his under the Charter. We look to the Secretary-General and his COlleagues in the Secretariat to guide us actively and to tell us what is needed to carry out not only these reforms but others, as I mentioned on 15 OCtober, which were not even referred to by the Group of 18. On this point, in less than two weeks the Secretary-General will begin a new· term with a unanimous and enthusiastic mandate from the Assembly - spearheaded, incidentally, by the five Permanent Members of the Security Council. That, indeed, puts us all - the Permanent Members, especially - under an obligation to give the Secretary-General what he has asked for in order to carry out his mandate in his second five-year term of office. The fourth point I want to make is by way of a reminder. I hate to sermonize, but administrative and financial reform and efficiency important and laudable though it be, should never in the context of the United Nations be seen as an end in itself. It can only make sense as a means to an end, because in the final (Mr. Kittani, Iraq) analysis the success or failure of the Organization will never be measured by how much money it has spent, whether~t is slightly less - as it is now - or slightly more than the cost of a nuclear submarine. Its success or failure will be measured by the ability or failure of the Organization to solve, and to remove from our agenda chronic political, economic and social items - items that have the persistent habit of ~ot going away. For that to be achieved, and for the United Nations to be a success and really efficient, we ,'ave to ~urn a new page. As so many of my colleagues have said this afternoon, we must bear in mind that the united Nations is important to every Member State, and some of us have to adopt new attitudes in order to make the United Nations work towards the solution of these problems. In conclusion, nothing would please my delegation more than to come back next year and see the adoption of this draft resolution without a vote have a material effect on the budget itself. Nothing would please us more than to see the major contributors, and others, who now pay 75 per cent of the budget, vote enthusiastically for the next budget. Finally, I am not going to congratulate you, Sir, but I want to tell you that we in Asia take particular pride in the fact that it was under your presidency, a representative of the Asian group, and due to your indefatigable efforts, infinite patience, understanding and courtesy, that this resolution was adopted. Mr. TELLMANN (Norway): My delegation would like to add its voice to the expressions of satisfaction with the resolution which has just been adopted by consensus this afternoon. It represents the end result of a long, and occasionally arduous and complex process which has occupied much of the attention and energy of (Hr. Tellmann, Norway) our Organization over the last 12 months. We hope and trust that the adoption tonight of the draft resolution contained in document A/4l/L.49/Rev.l will mark the beginning of a reform process that will lead to greater efficiency in the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations. We would also like, as so many other delegations have done, to pay tribute to you, Mr. President, for the most able and competent way in which you have guided our negotiations. The implementation of this resolution will necessarily require great skill, perseverance and sensitivity on the part of everyone concerned. I can assure you, Mr. President, and through you the Secretary-General that my delegation will always be ready to assist in any way we can to achieve this goal. Finally, I will not eail to convey to the Chairman of the Group of 18, Ambassador Vraalsen, the kind words which have been expressed by various delegations concerning the conduct and work of the Group of 18.

We have heard the last speaker on this item.

I understand that there is no reauest to consider this item at the present session. If this is the case, may I take it that the Assembly decides to include the item in the provisional agenda of the forty-second session? It was so decided. AGENDA lTEM 43 QUESTION OF CYPRUS

Members wUl recall that, on 20 September 1986, the Assembly decided to include this item in the agenda of the present session but deferred a decision on the allocation of the item to an appropriate time in the future. It is my understanding that it would be desirable to leave the Question of Cyprus open at the p~esent session. May I take it that the General Assembly agrees to that understanding and decides to retain the item on the agenda of its forty-first session? It was so decided.

I have received a reauest to tha effect that this 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 the forty-first session? It was so decided. AGENDA ITJ!M 45 OON.'lEQJENCES OF THE PROIDNGATIDN OF THE ARMm OONFLlcr BE'lWEEN mAN AND mAQ

In connection with agenda item 45, I have received a request that it be kept CX1 the agenda of the current session. If I hear no objection, I shall take it that the General Assenbly decides to retain this item on the agenda of the forty-first session. It was so decided. PENDING APPOINTMENTS AGENDA IT&! 33 (continued) EOLICIES OF APARTHEID OF THE <DVERRt1ENT OF SOUTH AFRICA

In connection with agenda item 33, I should like to draw the attention of menbers to resolution 41/35 F of 10 NO'ITenber 1986. By paragraph 5 of tnat resolution the Assembly established the Intergovernmental Group to M:»nitor the SUpply and Shipping of Oil and Pe troleum Products to Sou th Africa. By pnagraph 6 the Assembly authorized me to appoint, in consultation with the Chairmen of the regional Groups and the Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid, 11 Member States as members of that Group on the basis of equitable geographical distribution and to ensure representation of oil~xporting States and Shipping States. AS it will be necessary to hold further consultations on this matter, may I consider that it is the wish of the General Assenbly to entrust the President wi th pursuing this matter in accordance with the provisions of resolution 41/35 F? It was so decided. AGENDA ITa.! 115 (continued) PATTERN OF Q)NFEaENCES

With regard to agenda item 115, I should like to draw the General AsseilOly's attention to resolution 41/117 B r.dopted on 5 Decent>er 1986. I should like to inform members that, in accordance with the prcwisions of paragraph 2 of tha t resolution I have consul ted wi th the Cha irmen of the regialal Group;; and have appointed, on the basis of an equitable geographical balance, the following 22 Menber .States to serve on the Committee on Conferences for a ale-year term beginning on 1 January 1987: five from Africa - Algeria p E);Jypt, Kenya, Senegal and Tunisia,; four from Asia - Ojprus, Indalesia, Japan and Sri Lanka,; three from Eastern EUrope - the Byelorussian SOviet S)c~alist ~public, the German DemDcratic Republic, and the thion of SOYiet Socialist ~publics'i four from ratin America - Argentina, the Bahamas, Chile and ~xioo,; and six from western European and other States - Austria, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, New Zealand, the united Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the united States of America. ORGANIZATIDN OF WORK The PRESID:::NT: In the light of the action already taken at its 53rd, 96th and lOlst meetings, as well as at the present meeting, the General l~ssellbly has decided to retain on the agenda of the forty-fir st session the following\ agenda item 38, "Review of the efficiency C'f the administrative and financial functioning of the united Nations"i agenda item 43, "Question of CyprUS"i agenda item 44, "Implementation of the resolutions of the thited Nations",; agenda item 45, "Consequences of the pcolonga tion of the armed confl ict between I ran and Iraq"; agenda item 62 (d), "Canprehensive pr:ogramme of disarmament",; agenda item 140, (The Pres iden t) "Current Unancial crisis of the tbited Nations·~ and agenda item 146, "Judgment of the International Court of Justice of 27 June 1986 concerning military and paramilitary activities in and against Nicaragua: need foe immediate canpliance". Wi th those exceptions, therefore, we have concluded our consideration of all the i terns on the agenda of the forty-first session. CLOSING STATEMENT BY THE fiRES IDENT

At the inaugural meE!ting on 16 September 1986, as representatives will recall, I stressed the need for a "better tbi ted Nations for a better wer Id". It was a reflection of the ardent aspiration of millions of people around the world whose hopes were enshr ined in the Charter of this lnsti tution. It has been nearly three and a half months since then and during this period all of us have worked hard. As the .current phase of the forty-first session draws to a close, perhaps it would be appropriate for us to ponder for a moment on our efforts and take stock 0 .. our collective endeavours. It would be in order, I beli.~ve, to ask our selves~ Are we any closer to our goal than when we set out? To my mind, the short answer is yes. Our labours in the pur suit of our objectives in the past few months have not been in vain. When we began, the United Nations was confronted with a crisis of confidence. i'Ilile the crisis has not dissipated in its entirety, a modicum of confidence in the system has been restored. This was attained through the relentless efforts of all representatives. For this the United Nations system ~es you all a deep sense of grati tude. I should like to sumnarize briefly our work during the current session and br ing out into sharper relief the most signi ficant features. The forty-first (The President) session of the United Nations General Assel'lbly was faced wi th 146 items on the agenda. That was doubtless a fonlidable list, but as a result of co-operation and nutual understanding on the part of 311 delegations it was possible foe most comnittee work to be concluded by the end of November. Furthermore, this was done without any curtailment of substantive· discussions on any of the items. -It was made possible by the dedication and comnitment of the comnittees and their Chairmen. Q'lly some issues befcxe the Fifth Committee continued to be considered into December, but all representatives are aware of the reasons therefor. I must at this point convey my deep appreciation to all representatives for heeding I'I¥ appeal with regard to the necessity of conforming to schedules and war k programmes. In some meetings the requirement of a' quorum was dispensed wi th. We succeeded in undersouring the importance of punctuality. In terms of the numer of resolutions, we were able to achieve mergers where possible, consensus where desirable, and remctions where practicable. OUr main thrusts were on the rationalization of work and the displacement of quantity by quality. I feel that on both counts our success was COllIlIendable. These were no mean achievements. This session marked the culmination of the observance of the International Year of Peace. We held a oolllllemorative meeting to celebrate the adoption of the Internatiooal: Covenants on Human Rights. An important action on the part of the General A«3sent»ly was the reappointment of our distinguished secretary-General to a secood term of office. The .Asserrbly proootmced itself empha tically and in tmequivocal terms against the abhor rent practice of apartheid, gave a clar 100 call (The President) for a durable and caapr:ehensive solutioo to the pcoblems of Palestine and the MicXIle East, urged the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and Kampilchea, deliberated upon the situation in Central America, and gave its vetdictin favour of the immediate independence of Namibia. (The President) Peace, as you well know, is not just the absence of war. It is the global ambience of harmony in the interrelationship of States and nations. It is heartening to detect the general intellectual acceptance of the indivisihility of peace. I have noted with considerable happiness the widening belief that the acauisition of weaponry, nuclear or otherwise, does not enhance security. This is a major step forward in the conversion of disarmament from an idea to a faith. In our deliberations on disarmament, on which we have adopted 65 resolutions, we have been able to stress the most pressing issues such as the need for, inter alia, a comprehensive test ban treaty~ adequate security measures for non-nuclear States, reduction of budgets for weapons procurement, and commitments to non-proliferat.ion both vertical and horizontal. o~ the economic and social front, our achievements have been noteworthy. A significant feature of the resolutions on economic and finanicial auestions is that as a result of rationalization of work their number was reduced by nearly half, and all but 10 were adopted by consensus. The resolution on the external debt problems of developing countries is particularly worthy of mention, because no agreement on the matter was possble in previous years. No less important is the adoption of the consensus resolution on food and agricultural problems, which provides directions for joint efforts by the international community for further progress in the area. The 26 resolutions and three decisions relating to the International Campaign against Traffic in Drugs reflect our concern on these important issues. A deepening financial crisis loomed large over us as the forty-first session of the United Nations General Assembly commenced its work. While the crisis is still very much with us, there is also a keen sense of urgency to overcome. r am happy to note the positive response of the Member states to the many appeals by the Secretary-General and by this Assembly. I am also gratified that the Secretary-General is continuing with his short-term economy measures. (The President) In our oonsideration of the report of the High-Level Intergovernmental Group of Experts on the Effioiency of the Administrative and Financial Funotioning of the United Nations, there has been a positive indioation of the desire on the part of the Member states to arrive at a broad agreement. The resolution adopting the recommendations of the Group and introducing a significant innovation in the budget procedure of the Organization bears ample testimony to this fact. The adoption of that historic resolution, implementation of which will now begin, where possible, without delay, can truly be considered an achievement of this session of which all of us can be justly proud. Allow me to digress for a moment, only to enter a caveat. One oannot afford to be unduly complacent over this. We still have a long way to go. The changes introduced in the bUdgetary process in an effort to seek the much eluded broadest agreement will have to undergo the acid test of practicability. I earnestly hope that Member States w~.ll approach this challenge with vision and a sense of commitment. In my inaugural address I underscored the need to strengthen the role of th~ General Assembly, the Security Council and the Secretary-General as vital instruments to secure peace and promote development. Further experience during this session has convinced me of the need first to examine this question closely and come ~p with concrete proposals on how the objectives could best be achieved. Secondly, there exists a reauirement for strengthening and broadening the role of the United Nations itself and a systematic approach towards making its deliberations more purposeful and result-oriented. Finally I feel we must reverse the trend increasingly gaining ground in the system to judge !ssues not on their merit but by individual and group interest. This tendency has the potential for eroding the effectiveness and the moral weight of the world body, and must be halted without further ado. (The president) Perhaps we sbould at this point briefly review the place of the United Nations system in the body politic of contemporary international society. The founding fathers of the arganization had a vision of a new strife~fre~ world. They crafted the Charter ever so carefully to serve as a fundamental law of inter-State relations. They sought to set up a framework of rule~ and code of a behaviour for nation-States. But, as the classical Greeks used to say, one never steps into the same river twiceJ everything is in a state of flux. The system was born on one set of assumptions, which was replaced almost immediately by a new set of political realities. This required and continues to require continuous ~eadjustments, and the success of the world body largely depends on our ability to effect these. The pUbli~ commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charte~ is nearly univers~l. The membership has proliferated rapidly, and today, ironically, some of its intramural problems are accentuated by its own success in achieving a primary aim - decolonization - for the larger the membership, the greater the likelihood of differences. What has the United Nations been able to achieve in our times? How has it served the global community? The aueries merit an analytical response. First, the United Nations has provided for all of us a grand parliament of nations. Both the atrong and the weak countries profit from its function as a barometer of global public opinion. It is a forum for all States, big and small, to air their views. For instance, the forty-first session of the united Nations General Assembly was addressed by 13 Heads of State, seven Prime Ministers, eight Deputy Prime Ministers and as many as 103 Foreign Ministers. It allows for the expression of pent-up emotions, which reduces the potentialities of actual conflict. It provides a platform to commend good actions and condemn bad ones. It holds out the benefit of multilateral diplomacy for the smallest of States that (The President) would otherwise ,~,d9nied these interactions.,' M(lny a crisl.s has ,been resolved· in its, coz:ridors,r even before dete~tion b.y the medi~. Secondly., it provides security insurance fo~,the weake~ States. The fear of international opprobrium, and at times action, o~ten precludes the ~trong from aggressing against the weak. To newer states, recognition by it, or its membership, is a seal of legitimacy, a symbol of sovereignty. I recall how a major foreign-policy go~l of my own country in the first couple of years following independence was simply to be able to join this Organization. (The President) Thirdly, It is a source of support to the development endeavours of the global needy. The specialized agencies have done yeoman's work in this respect. This includes technical assistance to projects, expansion in food. production, succour to refugees, eradication of contagious diseases, protection of the rights of women and children, human rights in general, provision of disaster relief and much more. In fact, some of the United Nations signal achievements have been in social, economic and humanitarian spheres. Thin is also the forum where the development debate is gradually gaining momentum. It has been said that much of the insecurity of the world is connected with the division between the rich and the poor countries. If that be so, the united Nations is the place where positive contributions to broader security are possible, however painful and laborious the process. Fourthly, the United Nations is an intellectual confluence of varied minds, a meeting-place of a conglomeration of politicians, diplomats, professionals, scholars, researchers, men and women of learning and letters from all over the world. They apply their minds to the issues and problems that confront us - military, diplomatic, legal, social, humanitarian, scientific and technical. They debate and discuss and record their views and findings. The Secretariat, which is itself a microcosm of the wide world, produces an incredibly vast plethora of documentation, which must be a joy to researchers in many fields. There are undeniably areas where the United Nations has disillusioned us. It has not succeeded in providing the collective security as envisioned in the Charter. It has not been able to prevent many wars from breaking out in different parts of the world. It has not succeede0 in negotiating disarmament, either nuclear or conventional. It has not managed to redress the imbalance between the world's rich and the poor. The list can be long, if you wish, but perh~ps one should bear in mind that the fact that the united Nations has had least success in these areas indicates that efforts in those sIberes should be redoubled and not lessened, and that more, not fewer, resources should be allocated to them. It is my bomden duty to convey my sincere thanks to all of you for your co~peration and your contribution to our work. May 1, on your behalf, eXlEess our deepest sratitude to His Excellency Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar for his unswerving support and counsel. 1 am in debt to Hr. William J3Uffum, the Older-secretary-General for General Assenbly Affairs, whoee advice and guidance ',',:'Ire of invalUable help to my work. I wish to colllllend the untiring efforts of the Vice-Presidents, the Chairmen and the Rapporteurs of the different Committees and their bureaux, who have significantly conu ibuted to what we have achieved. Thanks are also due to a host of seeretar iat functia\aries, seen and unseen - conference officers, edito~s, interpreters, translators, secretaries, typists, security personnel, messengers, caterers and cleaners - vao have pl'OIFided us asslstance in every possible way. we are about to adjourn our work for this phase of the current sessim. We are about to return to our homes and usher in a New Year. I hope for all of you 'it is both happy and prosperous. 1 convey to you all the greetings of the seasm. I hope we go back wi th a deepening commitment and a firmer belief that the United Nations is a fine idea. It is, therefore, an institution worth preserving. It requires your support and sympathy to survive and succeed. 1 am positive that these would be forthcoming. 1 thank you all. StSPERHON OF THE SESSION I hereby declare the forty-first session of the General Assembly suspended. The meeting rose at 7.20 p.m.