A/45/PV.31 General Assembly

20.  CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE ASIAN-AFRICAN LEGAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (a) REPORT or THE SECRETARY-GENERAL (1./45/504) (b) DRAFT RESOLUTION (A/45/L.4/R~v.l) Tbe PRESIDBNT' In accordance with General Assembly resolution 35/2 of 13 OctobQr 1980, I call upon the Secretary-General of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee, Mr. Frank Njenga• Mr. NJIBGA (Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee (AALCC»: At the outset I wish to convey to the Foreign Minister of Malta, on behalf of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee, our sincere felicitations on his unanimous election as President of the General Assembly at the forty-fifth ••••ion. Bi. leadership at this juncture assume. greater importance in view of the new challenges and opportunities being faced by the United Nation.. We are confident that his able guidance and devotion to the cause of the United Nations will enable him to steer the forty-fifth session to the achievement of memorable success. Our felicitations also go to the other officers of the Assembly. I should also like to congratulate the Secretary-General, Mr. Perez de Cueller, on the adroit and diplomatic manner in which he has managed the affairs of the United Nations in a year that will be remembered as its most challenging and yet its finest. This year also has witnessed some very positive developments in the international arena which we are happy to welcome. We wish in particular to eztend our heartfelt congratulations to the Yemeni people as well as to th~ German people on their achievement of their long-cherished goals of unification of their respective countries during this year. The two newly united nations will no doubt play a crucial role in the development of international peace and prosperity. It is a matter of pride and satisfaction to us to work closely with the United Nations and its agencies. It is nearly a decade since co-operation arrangements between the two organizations assumed formal shape. The granting of Permanent O~server status to the AALCC at the thirty-sizth session of the General Assembly proved to be an impetus to the orientation of our activities in a fashion more beneficial to our member States, thus enabling us to make a modest contribution to the work of the United Nations. There is an adequately detailed· description of the co-operation between the two organizations in various fields in the (Mr, Njenga, MLCC) Secretary-General's report6 ruproduced in document A/45/504, which sets out the detailm of our joint activities and mutual co-operation. I shall therefore confine myself to only a few general observations. Since I last addressed this forum at its forty-third session, the AALCC has held its twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth sessions, in Nairobi and Beijing respectively. The AALCC has also managed during this period to make si,gnificant proqrese on its various agenda items. I may, in passing, mention that the Beijin9 session coincided with the commemoration of the thirty-fifth anniversary of the historic Asian-African Conference held in Bandung in 1955. A meeting in commemoration of that memorable event was held during the session. The message of the Secretary-General, Mr. Perez de Cuellar, delivered on that occasion was a great inspiration and source of strength to us. Under article 4 (a) of the statutes of the AALCC, the Committee Is required to examine questions that are under consideration by the International Law Commission, as well as to consider the reports of the Commission, and to make recommendations thereon to the member Governments. This traditional function of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee has led to very close working relations between the International Law Commission and the Committee. It has become tho normal practice for the Commission to request its Chairman to represent the Commission at the Committee's annual sessions. It was therefore a great honour for us at the Beijinq session to receive the then Chairman of the Commission, Professor Graefrath, w~o fUlly briefed the annual session on the work of the Commission's forty-first session. At the Beijinq session we also had the honour of receiving the Chairman of tho Sixth Committee for the first time. His suggostions and ideas benefited us greatly. We sincerely hope that we shall have similar opportunities of representation of the Sixth Committee at our future sessions. We also banefited (Mr, Nienga, AALCC) from the presence of the Regi~trar of the International Court of Justice, who made an inspiring presentation of the current work programme of the International Court of Justice, an institution which the AALCC is very keen to promote as the only really universal orqan for the peaceful settlemont of disputes. The preaence of representatives of the United Nations Legal Counsel at the session further enabled us to have the best possible forum for an exchange of views between ou~ two orgaDi.ations on several legal issues of a complem~ntary nature. The AALCC h&s been closely associated with the negotiations leadinq to the successful conclusion in 1902 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the ee.. We are particularly proud that, of the 43 States which have r~t'l:"d.ed the Convention so far, 14 are among our member States. Also, of the five States which b~v. applied to become pioneer ~nvestors or have been g~anted that status, thra~ ar~ member States of the AALCC. We a,~, however, seriously concerned at the slow process of ~atification. Our constant endeavour in this fiel~ has been to promote awareness of the adv","1tages of the United liationa COll1VSnUOXi on the Law of the Sea as a whole. We intend to intensify our efforts towards bringing closer the pioDeer investors and the other parties to the Convention by promoting such concepts as joint ventures. Very recently we organized a workshop in liew York to promote in-depth discusaioDB on the issues concerning joint ventures in sea-bed mining, particularly as a means of ad«resaing the genuine concerns on issues of financing and transfer of technology. As a follow-up, we are preparing a study on financial implications for the State. pa~tios to the Convention, so as to allay the exaggerated fears that participation in the C~nvention would be a costly and possibly ~ ruinous pr~po.itioD. We Di~ceroly hope that the Presidsnt of the Aesembly vill m~ke a special effort during his term of office to focus on this vital imsue. (Hr. Bingo. MLCC) bother i.llue of global conC8rn which has attracted world-"t4. at.tention,ia the environment. The United Rations Confor.~c. OD BnvironmeDt &D4 Developaen~6 sch04ule4 to be held in 1992, "Ul no 40ubt btt one of the greate.t events of the last decade of th1e C&ZltUgy" od we in the AALCC are co_ltted to '!Iak1Dg that ConforeDce a .ucce... !he i ••uee UDdoubt.dl~ are crucial. The rewards of ita .ucc.~. will be reaped Dot only by this gGnoration but also by future generationm~ It i. our conviction that only through concerted ~4 joint efforts to ..et the concerns Aaaoeiated "ith the 4egrada~ion of the env!roDmODt, which threatens the very survival of civilization, can the international cOIIIIUDity cc_ face to face with the re.ponllibility to ensure the cOl!ll1lOn future of Iftamtlnd. Yet the probl_ cf the environ.8nt cannot be ta~kle4 in isolatioD from econoaic development. we ~.t recogni.e the aead to .1~iDat. aas. poverty" disastrous econo_le 41se;uilibrius aDd the ..ssive debt cri.i., all of which are the lot of the developing countrie•• It i. unrealistic and h!POcriticBl to in.iat tbct the probl6ms of enviroa.ental degradation CaD be .olved without 88a.lve additional re.ource., both financial and saterial, to a••ist the developing countries. The pre.ent IOYel of ss.l.tence to d.velopiDg eountri.. ia already woafully inadequate even for DuataiBiDg the current cUlIIIIl1 level of gTovth, let alone for cortbatlng the ne" challelUJ8l1 of the (Hr. H;J.nga, Mt.CC) The AALCC i. actively involved in the preparatory phase of the 1992 Confer.nce. We have d!acussed SOIll of these iSSU8S durinq our sel!lllionu in the last two y~ars. I would lit, in particular to mention in that resp.ct our conc.rn about the transbounc!ary IIOv.ment and disposal of hasardous waste.. W. r.cognhat the valuable contribution lIad. by the Bas.l Convention. However, 1Ml consider that, in ord.r to achieve a meaningful solution to this menac., furth.r suppl.mental efforts are essential at both the reqional and the international l.vels. We are working closely with the Organisation of Africu Unity and some oth.r orquhat10ns .nga~d in a similar exercis. to .nsur. that th.m. noxious poisons al" not traD8ferred to d.velop!nq countries. ~he AALCC appreciates the enthusiaslI and vide support giv.n the id.a of findinq n.w and additional resourc.s to meet the .nvironmental challenges. The .stablishment of the $1 billion fund jointly with the World Bank, thti United Hati~Ds Development Progrune and the Unit.d Natiollls Bnvironmtnt Prog-rune is e. w,lcome step in that dir.ction. Any assistance to the developing countries from any sourCl will have to b. fr•• of undue restrictions or conditions and avoid any new enviroumental conditionaliti.s. The d.v.loping countri.s may b. poor and technoloqically under-dev.loped, but they art conscious about pl.dginq th.ir. fre.dom to act in the inter.st of upliftlnq the w.lfar. of th.ir peopl••, contrary to their national inter.st and priorities. Anoth.r matter of gr.at conc.rn to us is the status and plight of refuge••• We appreciate the sincoro efforts of tb. international community and in particular the United Bations High Commissioner for R.fuq••• (UHRCR). The number of r.fuqees, how.ver, go.s on multiplying for many and vari.d r.asons. W. must .nllure the eradication of the root eaus.s of this problem. All a mod.st att.mpt, we are orguiB,blg a workshop 8arly n.xt year, in co-operation with the UNBCR and with tho support of the Pord Foundation, to .xamine SOIll of the.. illllu.s ud to promote (Mr. 'jengae AaLCC) wider acceptance of and adherence to the codified law on refugees enshrin,d in general and regional Conventions. Our work programme on matters concerning international economic co-oEoration has been extended to play a supporting role in the work of the United Hationa and its Agencies engAged in these areas. We deeply value our co-operation in this regard with the United Nation& Commission on International ~rade Law, the United Nations Conference on ~rade and Develop~ent, the United Nations Induatrial Development Organization and other Agencies, with which we have established close working relations. We are in the process of launching a Dew programme to assist our member Governments in providing information on various aspects of international .c~nomic co-operation and trade laws and regulations. The implementation of our scheme for the settlement of disputes in economic and commercial tranSActions which is still in the initial stages is also proceeding in a reasonably satisfactory manner. The three Regional Arbitration Centres in Cairo, Kuala Lumpur and Lagos established under the auspices of the AALCC have already attracted wi~e attention and recognition. Following the General Assembly's proclamation in its resolution 44/23, adopted on 17 November 1989, OD the United Nations Decade of International Law, the AALCC initiated a programme on this topic at its Beijing .ession. We consider that the el~ration and implementation of such a programme during the last decade of this century would be a vital step towarda strengthening both the rule of law in international relations and the role of international law-making ag8ncleD in this process. Me have put forward ~e~tain proposals in response to the communication received from the Leqal COUDsel of the United Nations which, in due course, will be discusaod in the competent forum of tha General AS80mbly. Unfortunately, our region is currantly beset with many old and ne. problems. We were profo'~41y shocked by the mamsacre of Palestinians by the Israeli .ecurity forces, which toot place on 8 Octoblr al the Al Harem A1 Sha~.ef and we strongly condemn such brutal actions by the Israeli Government in contravention of its obligations and responsibi1iti&& under the 19069 Fourth Geneva Convention. We express the hope that the Security Council will adopt adequate measures for the protection of Palestinians living under Israeli rule. The recent crisis in the Gulf region further complicates the situation. It Is our unanimous conviction that observance of the principle of the pea"" -·,1 settlement of disputes in relations between StatoB is a fundamental no~. Any deviation from this principle cmmot ba condoned. No State boundary can bI chuge4 by the use of force or annexation of the territory of a State, as has happened to Kuwait. We cannot condone under any pretext whatsoever any form of aggression by a State whose res'!lt, in our vie", Cl DDot be allowed to stand. Indeed, the recent events in our region have shattered our hopes and made a mockery of the Decade of Int&rnational Laww We recognise and continue to stress the principle that Stat.s must resort to bilateral, regional or international institutions, such as the International Court of Justice, to settle any disputes as the only way to .ettle any inter-State dispute. Ke th.refore unequivocally condemn any re.ort to force to resolve dlaputem between States. As a first step towards resolving the Gulf crisia, Iraq must unconditionally cea.e its occupation of Kuwait forthwith. Thereafter His Highness the Amir of Ituwait, Sheikh Jaber Ahmed .u Sabah, must res~me his responsibilities as tb, ruler of Kuwait. Th. fo~ of government of that country is entirely the responsibility of the people of Kuwait and no one el••• In the same context, the consideration of an item entitled "Protection and security of small States" as.'Wfttt8 great significance. The Gemera1 Assembly" in its re.olution 064/31, recogni.ed that small State. may be partiCUlarly vulnerable to external threat. and t~ acta of interfer.nce in their internal affair.. It hardly ne.d. to be emphasis.d that State. ere obliqe4 to respect the principle of territorial integrity and other prlnclpl~c of th. Charter. ~ Vatted .atloDa haa ahoVA .3.~lary UDdorstandlDg in d.aliGg with tho current criel. In ~. Gulf. All effortll must bo Bade to pr.vefJt the reourrOlllC5 of cuch a CdEI. in the future. It machil1.ry aDd .l1tabl18hed pl'Qc04urol1 to deal with auch cd••a In th. future. toM hog-islI" .ay be CJood lil ~a1!ng with a particulaE' eltutioD. It b .. howver. high tl.. 1110 OUI:' vie. that tho UDlt5~ MetIons ••tabUahed itil authority and !mpl...nt.4 the Chart.r provisions on the ..lntoDatiCe of pcaco aDd ••curity in concerning peace, ••curity and disarmameat. M& ~re in pert!c~lar cODcer.aed over liD e, Zone of Peace. WhUe ve appreciato the clUrOg!lgMAt. bat••n tho Uait.d Stat.. and the Soviet Union iD their bilateral relations and poaitiva underataadiog OC5aft fia a Bone of peace ahou14 DOW ~ brought to tho forefront of the CODcerna of all Stat•• in th. region.. the United Datlons an4 the agper-Powera. la concludon.. I ahould lik~ to 1&fol'll tbll 0._1'01 ~a"1J' ~at the AALCC will be hold189 it. thirtioth a.aalon ia Cairo .arly n.Kt yesr. T.b•••••10a will have lUll" 1IIpol'tut and relevat. it_a Oll it. Bt0D4&. KG leek forward to broad participation fr~ our ..-bel' Go¥8r~DtD aD4 oballrver... including the UDit.4 .atioD. and it. age8ci.a. I .. aure that I would alao ~ apeaking for our Bgrptian hoat. in •••url~9 dolegation. that ~ thirtieth ~.a.ion of the AALCC UDder the watchful eye of t..bo Spbia esrly nOEt. year w111 be a groat a.cce••• De PIISIpm. I DOW call OD tbe l'epr••aat.tlve of CILlUII wbo .111 btroc!uc. 41'aft Deolutloa Al451lu4/1ev.l la the couae of bill .tat_.t.. Mr. SUI Llo (ChI.) (iatel'protatloll fro. Q1_a.) I '10. J'8U" ago tbe oeDeral Asle-blY.9I'ute4 obll.1'ft1' statu to tU bl_-Md,CD Legal Cou1l1tatl". Ca.1ttae (AALCCl. OM,.u latAtl' tIaa AALCC ••t v.p Ita pel'lllarH&t al••loll to tU UBlta4 _atlou.. thus ••tabl1I1h1Dg official u4 ngulU' co-opttratloD Ht:WMa the ~ 0l'9wlIatloDSe Over tU c1aca4e tU co-operation with the UD!.UCl .atioD Iau bee.. ~ -.oat u.,ortut upeet ID the MLCC" work with l».tonaatl~U1 ol'9ulaatlouo With 14aatlcal a1lll aa4 PUPO'••' both orgw••tlou haft bauflt.4 tl'..D40ulJ' frOll thalr c:o-opal'atloa III pur.ulag tbeir ra.pact.l". aiJIII u4 pllZ'pOlelJ.. ftrough co-operatioa .ith the Uutad ••tloM the AALCC hu ga1M4 • _1'. pI'8cl•• u4 la-4aptb Ull4er.tu41ag of tha "'0r .lat8natloUl .-atloaD to wh1c:b tM !atttl'Atloaal ca.IUDltJ' attacMa great Dportufn. It bua1!1o 9a1M4 .I.fu! partlculer,. the AALCC'. 1'.1atloDOhlp with tJw S!:tb Ca-lttoe of the Ott_ral ~I.-bly,. the CfBI1••1oa OD IatensatloHl Law aza« tile COM!lI81oa oa IDt.nuatloaal '1ra4e La. 11 ••pecially do... ne cOD8u1tatloa fo~ provlda4 by the AALCC has played a po_ltl.. 1'010 aD pl'08Otlag progr... ADd 4ovalopme.t la tba c041flcatloa of latamatloaal 1.. oa tJut part of MudMtI' StAtes la walfl'lag ac1 co-or4!aatlDlJ lDtenaatloaal trees. 1•• a4 ID 91,,1119 a,.tu to the work of the rele"ut Ullite4 lie activel,. lIupport the AALCC la coatiD",l.., to stll'G~g its eOmoOperatl". 1'.1atlou "itb tU Baited ••tlou ill let.! an4 othor nel4a. It 1. OUI' hope that tbo lsportlUlt ld••s of the biu-Ald.ca coutdaa eOllcol'uDg latenaatloul law will be p:.n.ct84 to a C)l'aater aatant ID tile re18vant Unit.cS ~.tlOIUl 01'9-' through tbct AALCC. (Ht? Sun Lip, Chip.) Me are particulari1y p1ea.ed to note that in March this year tho twenty-ninth aDDue1 meeting of the AALCC was held in Beijing, China. Sanlor legal officials, 4ip1a.at8 and well-known legal scholars from many Asian and African countri.. held eatenaive discus.ions and coneultatioD8 not only on ~u••tioD. of interaational law with thll Asian aDd African cOWltde8 concerned hut alao on many othel' 18CJ81 ~eation8 that are being dlacu8~ed at the United Rations. Thi...etiag waa ~ great 8ucces8. At the last 88asion the General Assembly adopted a ralo1ution to declare the United Nations Decade of International Law. At present the Working Group on the Decade of Internat!onc1 Law .is drafting a specific pr09ranno of activities to be considered by the Sixth Committee. We note that the AALCC has already taken a deciaion to participate in ths activities of the Decado. This is another important effort to .trengthen co-operation between the AALCC snd the Unitsd Nations. WO hope that the AALCC ,,111 carry out its activities even more vigorously and fruitfully in accordance with ita aims and purposes and that it will make contributions to the Decade of International Law. I 8hould like now to introduce draft resolution A/45/L.4/Rev.l, on "Co-operation between the United Rationl1 aDd the .laiD-Africa Legal Conllu1tative COMlitt...., UDder agenda itom 20, OD behalf of the following sponGo!:.. Auatralia, Canada, China, Cyprus, Egypt, I~~' \ Indon••ia, the Islamic Republic of IraD~ Japu, Itenya, Nepal, New Zealand, ..adstan, Sd Lanka Md the Unltsd Republic of 'ranlluia. This year'. draft resolution~ which is based on previoua re.olutions, Includ&& a D.ew operative paragraph - namely, operative paragraph 4, which "Rote. with appreciation the decidoD of the Asia-African Le9111 Consultlltive Committee to partic!pateactively in the programme. of the United Ration8 Decade of InternatioDal Law". (Hr. SllD Lip. Cbia) Co-operation between the AALCCand the United Nations haD been effective and fruitful over Nany yearso The AALCC also takes a positive attitude towards the United Rations Decade of International Law, which i8 e matter of great importance to all delegations. We look forward to the AALCC Daking important contributioDS to the programmes of the Decade. Here I wiah to draw the Assembly's attention to operative paragraph 1, which "takes Dote with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General". That report give. a detailed account of the activities of the AALCC since the forty-third 8e.sion of the General Assembly and provides valuable information for our deliberations on this item. We hope that the Secretary-General ~ll1 continue to submit reports on co-oporation between the United Nations and the AALCC. He appreciate the efforts made, by th8 Secretariat in this r098r40 In recent years, as the areas of co-operation between the United Nations and the AALCC have expanded - for the mutual benefit of both organisations - the importance of this item has been increasingly recognised. He hope that the item entitled "Co-operation between the United Nations and the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee" will be included OD the agenda of the forty-seventh session of the General A~sembly. This proposal la reflected in operative paragraph 6 of the draft resolution. Finally, we hope that the draft r.~olution will be adoptea by coneenBUS. Mr. GALAL (Bgypt) (interpretation from Arabic). First of all, I would like to cODgratulato the Secreta~y-G.n.ralof the A.lan-African Legal Consultative Committee, Mr. Njenga, on the valuable statement that he ha. juat mado in which he (Mr, Galal. Igypt) ennumerated the achievements of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee and ita efforts to strengthen the role of the United Nations and its various agencies in all areas. Egypt attaches qreat importance to the promotion and strengthening of the co-operation which exista between the United Nations and the Consultative Committee and the opening up of now prospects for future co-operation. This stems from our deep conviction that it is vital to establish a broad basis for an underst&D4ing of the role of international law in improving the international climate and ensuring that international relations will be conducted in a context of justice and co-e~uality in the interests of all peoples and with the purpose of building a better world for our future generations. The Unit~d Nations has expressad its recognition of th~ Consultative Committee's important role, when the General Assembly, at the thirty-fifth session, decided to grant the Committee the status of Permanent Observer and invited it to participate, in that capacity, in the General Assembly's sessions and deliberations. At the thirty-sixth session, the General Assembly also decided to include on the agenda the item which is now before us, with a view to highlighting the important role of the Committae in consolidating the activities and work of the United Nations on the international and regional levels, The Consultative Committee has lived up to the e:pectations of the United Nations. It has intensified its efforts in the area of progressively devoloping and codifying international law as well 8S in the ec~nomic and humanitarian fieldm. ~oreover, it has participated effectively in the conferences and meetings of the United NatioDs. In addition, it has submitted several stUdies on various crucial matters that are of current interest to the iDter~atioDal community. (Hr. Galal. IgJpt) We have. ncted alDa the participation by some jUdges of the International Court of Justice. Chairman of the International Law Commi8si~n and representatives of the specialised agencies of the United Nations in meetings of the Consultative Committee. !his shows that there is a common interest in the problems under consideration. As the role of the Committee is to strengthen the work of the United NatioDs. activities in the area of international law. the Committee has included in its work programme some of the problems which are under consideration in the I~ternational Law Commlsmion. such as non-navigational uses of international waterways and judicial immunlties of States and their assets. The Consultative Committee also is currently cODsidering these two particular imsues. It had organised a seminar during the forty-first session of the General Assembly on the legol aspect. of both issues. with a view to facilitating the work of the International Law Commission in this area. The Consultative Committee continues to co-operative effectively with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UHCITRAL) by drawing the attention of its members to the ~ue8tion of the standardization and codification of the rule. of international trade law and urging them to adhere to eonventions which have been adopted by the Commisslon. MOreover. the Consultative Committee haa begun to compile a legal guidebook for ,oint industrial projects. It has fo~ulated a schema for settlement of disputes in economic and commercial transactions. Three regional centres for arbitration under the scheme have been set up. My country has the honour of hosting one of the three centres. The centre ia handliug with great efficacy the promotion and implementation of the rules established by the United NatioDs Commission on International Trade Law. Over the past few years. the Consultative Committee has broadened the scope of (Mr. Gola1, IgJpt) its activities to embrace several IsDues of concern to the international COI.aUDity. It hes corri.4 out studie. on cOlllteuporary problems such as the ezternal debt of developing countries, the que~tion of refugees and the illicit traffic in narcotic drugs trafficking. At its twenty-seventh sesslon, the Consultative COl'llllittee included in its agen4a DD iteea entitled "Deportation of Pale.tinians as a violation of international law, particularly of the 1949 Geneva Convention". Since then, the Consultative Colllftlttee has continued to consider the various legal aspecta of the problem. Last year, the COlllllittee included in its work programme en item on the 1IIportaDt isaue of the "TraD.boundary movemant of hazardous wastes and their dispoaal". ne study prspere4 by the COlMlltte" OD that subject was considered by the Legal Advis.rs of the member States in their meeting held 1n New York last year. I shall not deal in detail with all the activities of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee and its piune*ring role in enhancing the effectiveness of the United Nationll. nis has been dealt with in detail in the report of tho Secretary-Gellleral in document Al4S/S04. !lowever, I should U.k. to say here that the Consultative Committee has acquired & certain legal and political expertise since its establishment 34 years ago. nis has en~led the Conmittee to consolidate its standing in the international arena and demonstrate ita effectiveness in all areaB relating to the problems of concern to the internatianal cOJIIIUDity. With the begimaillg of the Decade for InternatioDal Law" we look forward to the effective participation by the Committee in the preparatory work for that important decade. ne COJlllittee, through ita legal ezpartise, CDD make a valuable contribution to the D8cade'~ work programme. We hope that the United NatioDs and (Mr. Galal. Egypt) its specialized agencies will make extensive use of the Consultative Committee's expertise through wider co-operation and use of the specialized studies prepared by the Committee. Hr, IBARRAZI (IslemiQ Rapublic of Iran): I should like to begin my statement by thanking the Secretariat for preparing & comprehensive and useful report on co-operation between the United Nations and the Asian-Afrir.an Legal Consultative Committee (AALCC)e contained in document A/45/504. Certainly by including the phrase "encouraging the progressive development of international law and its COdification" in Article 13 of the Charter, and by the creation of the International Law Commission in 1947 by the General Assembly, the corner-stone of l~w-making machinery was laid down by the international community. Since then a number of conventions regulating various aspects of international relations have been prepared under the auspices of the United Nations. Now that an increasing awaren~ss exists among the members of the international community that in our highly interdependent world everyone's interests could be best served through an orderly and just system, it is expected that the ongoing efforts concerning the progressive development of international law and its codification will be speeded up. It is evident from General Assembly resolution 44/23 that, in the coming years, the codification and progressive development of international law - which, in accordance with the above-mentioned resolution, is one of the major purposes of the decade - would constitute a significant portion of the activities of the concerned organs of the United Nations. We, the Asian and African countries, in our eagerness to participate actively in the codification process of international law and its progressive development, established the Asian-Afriean Legal Consultative Committee in 1956. That is a unique organization whose very raison d'etre is the progressive development of int.rnational law and it. codification. Sinc. its inc.ption, AALCC has un4.rtak'D a number of studi.. in the fi.ld of int.rnational 1.ga1 matter. of common concern to the ttfO continents, aDd haa function.d as a forum for the .lI:chlmg. of vi... ac! lnfomation amonq ita mermer States. It has played a 8ignif!caut role in .xplodng ne.dsaDdieS.as and in harmoni.ing the vi.ws aDd pcsltioDs of the States of Africa aDd laia conc.rning various asp.cts of the co4iflca~loD of int~rDatloDal law and its progr••aiv. 4.v.lopm~Dt. Ind••d, a COmmcD obj.ctive - namely, striving for cOdification of intornatioD&l l&w ad its progressive development - lints the two organi.ations. It was this common objectlve that led to the comm.ncement of co-operation between thM Asia-African L.gal Consultative Committee and the United Hations immediately aft.r, the fOWl4lng of the AALCC, a co-op.ratioD that continues to this day. ~ar. befC)re U81, when co-operation between the United N'ations and AALCC hl!.d not been officially established. Even during this ~ariod, there WSB fruitful and CODutructiv. co~operation between the two forums. For example, AALCC undertook a .fDteaatic and eonsistent examination of subjects on the agenda of the International Law Commission from Asian and African perspectives. Its views and r.c~ndatioD8 were diractly or indirectly reflected in.the Co~~!ssion's proc••61n9.. BvaluatioDs and recommendationa made by AALCC on the draft Convention OD dipl~tic Prlvilege~ and Immunities were another e~&Mple of active participation on the part of AALCC in the process of codifying international law. !ho second phase of co-op~ration batween AALCC and the United Nations started i~ 1111, when AALCC began to carry out its activities in an official capacity, and PQ~ent ob••ever status with tha Unit~d Nations was accorded to it under re.Glution 36/38. Since then, co~operation between the two organizations has been cODColi4ate« and AALCC has included in its programme o~ projects and studies a .u.ber of important items that are on the agenda of the General Assembly. Co-operation between the two organizations has entered a new stage in recent ,.ars. The Secretary-General of AALCC or his representatives have participated in aDd adckem.e4 lleGtf.l1gs of the Sizth Committee, IlllS well as the Preparatory Cc.Ml••lon for the law of the sea. Likewise, representatives from the Legal Office of the United BatloDz ha~?e participated in the Gnnual meetings of AALCC. Last, but aot l.ast, the fact that the Secretary-Genertll of aALCC, Mr. Njenga, is a member of the I.t.r~atlonal Law ~Dmmi8~ion facilitates to a qr&&ter degr8e co-operation botvee. the' two organisations. 44/23, another avenue for co-operation between the two organisations has been opened. In response to the circular of the Secreta~iat concerning the proqrammes for the Decade, AALCC has put forward some valuable proposals, in document Al4S/430. It is our earnelllt hope that they will be taken into aCCQUDt in the programme of activities for the Decade. In our view, AALCC can assist the United Rations, in different ways, to carry out its programmes relating to the Decade. Seminars and training courses could be arranged by AALCC in collaboration with the United Nations with a view to encouraging the teaching, dissemination and wider appreciation of international law, a major purpose of the Decade. It can further assist the United Nations in th~ programmes of the Decade concerning the codification of international law. That is why my delegation has become a sponsor of the draft resolution on co-operation between the United Nations and the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committae, contained in dOClW8nt A/45/L.4/Rev.l, and hopes that it will be adopted by consensus, Mr. BAGAl (Japan): I should like first of all to express my delegation's appreciation for the elaborate report of the Secretary-General, contained i~ document A/45/504, which has helped tremendously our deliberations under ~~~~da item 20. On behalf of the Government of Japan, I am pleased to have this opportunity to pay high tribute to the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee. Ever since its establishment more than three decades ago, the Committee has been playing a valuable role in the expansion and devftlopmeat of intsrnational law throughout the Asian-African region. I Dote with particular appreciation that, in addition to ezpanded the scope of its activities to address urgent issues that transcend regional boundaries and affect peoples everywhere. I refer, for ezample, to its vigorous efforts relating to the issues of enviroumental protection and the illicit t~affic in narcotic drugs. The AALCC .ecretariat, which has been fulfilling its tast under the e:cellent leadership of Secretary-General Rjenga, has been making commendable effort~ to strengthen its tios of co-operation with the United Rations and various bodies within the Organisation by conducti~g periodic deliberations and seminars on Vftrious topics. It is Japan' s hope that, through the exchange of information and vie.. it is conducting with those organizations, AALCC vill expand the is.ues OD its agenda and establish priorities among them, and that, by holding inteDsive deliberations and by reporting at United Nations forums on the results of those deUberations, it will function more fully as a feedback mechu!.sDl. Ke recognise that by co-operating in this way these two organhations can contribute to the study of various proble.s currently confronting the Member State. of the United RationD and, in so do.lDg', strengthen the role and functions of the United Rations. In this regard, ......lco_ the numerous efforts being made by AALCC since the fortieth sessioD of the General Assembly to strengthen the role of the United RatioDs through the rationalisation of its functions. Tremendous change. have taken place in the structure of the international cOllllftUDlty. As we strive to re.pond to those changes, it is apparent that international law vill play an ever-greater role in the new international order that is evolviDCJ. Under those c!rcum2ltance., Jape nleo_1I the t1m&ll' declaration of the Decade of International Law, and is confident that, with greater eo-operation between AALCC and the United RatioDs, efforts to build a peaceful international order under the rule cf law will continue to flourish. SecretA~-G.neralt.report (AI.S/504) entitled "Cc-operation between the Unit.d Ratione and the bian-African Legal Con.ultative COJ1llftitt.... (! which give. a succinct i4ea of the work of the Aaian-Mrican Legal Consultative COlWllitt•• (AlLCC) in the recent past. Th. Asian-African Legal Consultativ. Committe., established iD 1956 by s.ven Asian Stat.s, namely, Burma - now MYaDIIAr - India, IndonGt81a, Iraq, Japan, Sri Lanka ADd Syria, to s.rv. aa an advlso~ body of legal _sports for consultations and co-operation between its member Governments in the fiold of international lew and economic relation., particularly matters under cODaid.rotion in the United Rations and it. various organs Md agenci.s, has be.n 40ing commendabl. work since Ita inc.ption. In particular, its formar Secretary-G~Deral, Mr. B. Sen, and ita present Secretary-General, Mt. Frant Rjenga, togethe~ with its highly qualified res.arch team, de••rve recognition for their efforts. Forty-three State. are now members of the AALCC. The Committe., a unique regional organisation whoa. r81eoD d"tre i. to contribute to the progre.sive dev.lopment and codification of international law, has been endeavou!"ing Dot only to promote acceptance of and re.pect for the principle. and nom. of int.rnational law, but alao to strengthen the United Rations role 111 thi8 r8C)8rd and to respond to the Ilpec1fic nee4. of 4ov.lopinq countries a8 a whole. The S~cr.tary-Gelleral'. report detail., in parAgraphs 13 to 17, the valuable inputs of the AALCC in strengthening international economic co-operation !or development. Following intensive consultations b.twe.n officials of the Unl~a4 Rationm and the S.er~ta~-GeDeralof the AALCC, a prOCJrlU'llllle of co-operatioD was drawn u.p which id.ntified niDe apec!fic arGae, Damely~ the co-operatlvs framework; r6pr••entation law of the ••a, the tu••tion of r.fuge••, efforts toward. atr.DgtheniDg the 1'01. of the Unit.d Rations through rationalisation of functional 8Odalitioll' illicit traffic in narcotic drug., international .coDoaic co-operatioD for development' and soue. of peec. and internatioDal co-operation. fta co-operatiVfl frIMvork bas now beCOlH a regul5.~ f.atur.. The AALCC ha. al.o undertak.n t.portaDt initiatives with tha objective of .tr.Dgth.ning the 1'018 of the Unit.d Rationa. ft. Secretary-G.neral·. r.port before u. giv•• aD iDdication of th.... ft. Committ•••• activities in th••e Ir.G. have not be.n the UDit.d Ration.. hrth.l'IIOre, ar.a. of co-operation have be.n .xprm4d to cover developlent anI! Codification of int.rnational law. Of .pecial importlUlc. to Ill' d.lqation i. the COIBIltt.e·. work OD interDatioDal .con~ic ~o-opor&tioD for d.~lo~nt. In ID ~ra ¥ben barri.r. al" COIling do~, the COIIIitt•••• id.ntification of the int.rnational lqal or regulatory fr_work and .trengthening .uch co-operatiC!n d•••rve to be Doted a. a valuabl~ input for the overall co-operative •••rci.eo "~ sr. impr••••d by the e.t.nt of the r.lation.hip betwe.n the United RatioDs and the Co-.itt... It. various organs aDd ag.nci•• have over the year. cover.d ID ••tfiDdv. fi.ld, inclu4inq law, acoDOIIic r.lation., .nv1l'oDMnt, the probl.. of r.fugeos, and oc.an r••ourc... Th~ wcrt of the Sizth CONMittee of the GeReral Aae.-bly 1. of .pecial inter••t to the AALCC, aDd it. .ecretariat pr.plre& DOt.. on aatter. under co~ideratioD 4••igned to a••i.t ~r Stat.. in th.ir participation.. Such an il\pu'C contribut•• to _1" ..anlDlJful debat•• in thiB forUII. Of pert1c~\lar relevance in thb regard are the Consultative C~itt..'s International Trade La. (UHCITRAL). Especially Doteworthy are the publication of COllaboration .ith UNCITRAL and held at He. Delhi In October 19a9, l'eco-BendatiOD \ of UHCITRAL'e Model La. OD International Co_rc!al Arbitration, acceptance of the United .ations Convention on the Li.itatlo~ P~l'io4 in Inte~Dation.l Sale of GoOd8, 197., the Unlted ••tions ConveDtio~ on Contracts for the International Sal. of Goode, 1980, and the United Nations Convention on Carriage of Good. by Seta, 1978. we are hopeful that the e:datiDg ereas of co-operation Ht..en the United .ations and the AALCC .111 Dot only be ~aiDt.in.4 but further strengthened by closely involviDg the Committee in tha progranme of the Unita4 Bations Decade of InternatioDal La.. India considers the Unite'" Rations Decade to be of great importaDce and would like to s.. active participation b7 the AALCC in its activities - particularly, .ith the help of tha United Rations, by institutiDg training programmos and ~cholarships for nationals of developing countri••, by organising ...inars OD 'oint United ••tions-AALCC .fforts aD~, especially, by inteneifying co-operation with speciall••4 agencie. and bodies such aa the United Nation. Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United RatioDs Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Office of the United Ration. B1gh Comml.c~oner for Refugee. (UNRCa), the International Maritt.8 Organisation (IMO), the United Nation. EnvlroDment Programme (UHlP), the International AtOMic Energy Agency (IABA), the Unite4 Nations Institute for Training and a.search (UBITAI), aDd so forth. Me appreciate the Commltte.'s efforts to urge its member Statee to ratify the ~ United Rations Convention OD the Law of the Sea in order to ensure ~ Treaty'• early ontry into forc., a. vell a. the add.ndUM to it. Bangkok Principl••, which .laborat. the concept of burden sharing, beside. the qu••tion of the Stat.·. r.sponsibility in regard to r.fug•••• It is t.pGrtant t6 note the Co..itt•••• future programme., ••pecially tho•• Pe0pl.·. struggle for liberation, and ita work, as notGd in the SGcretary-General's r.port, relating to questions such a. the deportatioD of Pale.tinians being a violation of international law, both customary and codifie4, and relating to occupied territories, responsibilities of the oc~upyln9 Power and the question of pa!Jlt8Dt of compensation. Of equal importece is the COl'llllitte's vork on traDsboundary movement of hazardous wastes and th.ir disposal, inclnding its stUdy on co-operation b.tween Asian and African countries to ban the dumping of toxic and other wastes int~ their countries and to co-operate in the fo~u1ation of regional or subr.gional conventions banning the dumping of such wastes. My delegation is happy to support the AlLCC·. many activities and trusts that they will continue to strengthen that Organization's contributions to the United Nations and the world connunity. Mr, UISNUMUBTI (Indonesia)1 First of all, my delegation would like to express its appreciation to the Secretary-General for his report in document A/45/S04. Thirty-five years ago, as an outcome of the Bandung Conference, the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee (AALCC) emerged, embracing the two sister continents of Asia and Africa, and over the yeara it gradually established it••lf as 8 ma'or forum for international cc-operation. That historic Conference has few parallels in history, .in terms of ~.;,r,her the vastness of tIle srea it an id.nt1tr betwe.n a group of nations with diff.rent political, .conoalc and .ocial structur.s of goverDMent, and in its growth aa an independent force in int.rnational affairs. In this cODD.ctio~, Indonesia tat.s gr.at pri4. in having be.D on. of the five Colombo Powers at Bandung In 1955 to sponsor the Asian-African Conf.r.nc.o (Hr. W1svumurti. In40n,sia) During the course of the work of the AALCC, it has directed its activities to towards complementing the work of the United Nations and has establiahed close re1ation8 with the Organisation and its various agencies engaged in the fields of law and economic ~.lacions. This culminated in the decision of the General Assembly at its thirty-fifth session to accord Permanent Observer status tq the CODsu1tative Committ,e, a distinction it sharea with few other international organizations 0 My delegation avails itself of this opportunity to extend its support and co-ope~ation in the de1iberatioDS on the agenda item entitled "Co-operation between the United Nations and the Asian-African Consultative Committee". The co-operation programme which was drawn up pursuant to paragarph 4 of General Assembly resolution 43/1, of 17 October 1988, Cftn effectively enhance co-ordination by routine consultations betwe'n the Consultative Committee and this body as they invoive themselves in various subjects an4 issues of world-vide importance. In this context, it is pertinent to note that the Consultative Committee's activities include training officers in the technique of research, handling international legal problems, holding periodic meetings and seminars and rendering advice of special interest to Member States. One of the primary functions assigned to the Consultative Committee under its statutes was the e:amination of questions under consideration by the International Law Commission which contemplated establishing a link between them in the progressive development and codification of international law. Its pre~ent work programme includes the ~uestion of non-navigational uses of international watercourses and jurisdictional immunities of States. We are confident that the Consultative Committe~ and the International Law Commicsion will make cODsiderable progreea in dealing with these important issues. A significant initiative taken by the Consultative Committee in playing o~ its wider ro~e vas in relation to the third United Rations Conference on the Law of the Sea. Aa proposed by Indonesia; the Consultative. Committee conDidered iD January 1970 a new ageDda item OD the law of the sea with a v1ew to assisting its member Govementa and other AdD-African States in the preparatory work for the Conference in the United Rations sea-bed Committee. Some of the .a'or cOllaepta in relation to the law of the Ilea Were developed for the first time in the deliberations of the Consultative Committee at that meetiDg, held in ColoDbo, and . also in the Confer~nce·itlSelf. In thin connection, particular _Dtien should be made'of tbecoDcept o'f the exclusive economic :lone. It was at that meeting of the 'Consultat1~e Committee that Indonesia and the Philippines resumed thei~ effort~ to promote inter~atioDalUD4er8tandingand acceptance of the Archipelagic State conc.pt..··'lhe Consultative C~mmittee continued to iIIake a si9l1ificut contribution not only in preparing the 1982'ConventioD. on the Law of the Sea, but also in promoting ratification' and.1mple~ntat1on·ofthe Convention, inclu4inCJ internally bf conducting ~t~cUe. 'and p~Elpar1Dg 'natlonal1ecjislation on. various aspects of the . " . . Convention, ·pd ex~ernally through ita participation in the Preparatory COII!IIIIIbdolll . .'., . for the International Sea-lied Authority and for the' International Tribunal for the Law of the"Sea. Collaboration between the AALCC and the UnitQd Nations Commis.ioD Oti Inttlrnational Trade Law" (UNCITRAL) in tb~ .development of international trade law baebeen particularly close and active. ". ~e ConE1,lltativ8 COJlllllitttle h~e .. during the . ' . preparation of the ~ajor tests of UNCITRAL, greatly influenced the tinal veraion. AS a reault r theMLCC 'has recommended to i~~.member States the UNCITIAL Arbitration RUles~ ratification of the United Rations Convention OD Contracts for the Sale of Goods, and the United Hat~oDs Convention OD. the Carriage of Goods by Sea; 1978 (Hamburg', Rules), aa well as ~e. adoption of' the UNCInAL Model La_ 0n International Commercial Arbitration. The mandate of 11 December 1966 to UHCITRAL to " ••• bear in mind the interestl of developing countries in the extenlive development of international trade" (resolutiipD i~Q~ (XII), parA. 9) come. from relolution 2205 (XXI), by which UHCITRAL waa created. In this regard, my d01egation il confident that the continued close co-operation between the two orgAnisationl will fOlter trade linkl at the interregional and global levela: Their participation has allo eontributed towards th~ creation and codification of rul.. of international trade law that would reflect the intereat of developing countries. Although the role of the Consultative Comit.tee lay primarily In international law, itl activities have widened in CODlonance with ltl maiD objective as a forum for Asian-African co-operation in the field of economic relationl. ODe of itl major achiev~moDt8 il th~ adoptioDof the integrated scheme for mettlement of di.put.. with a view to creating stability in economic transactions with the countries in the regioa. The Consultative Committee has allo participated as an intergovernmental organisation in the work of the United RatioDs Conference on Trade ad Development (UNCTAD) to keep in touch with globcal negotiations wher.e economic and legal implicationl are int,rlinted. In considering the prelsing i.aue of the debt burden of developing countriel, the AALCC has udertaken studiel OD the subject of negotiating the rescheduling of loans and 11 fOiDulatlnq legal guidelines on international loan agreements. I turn now to the lubject of Itrengthening the role of the United Nationl through the rationalisation of functional modalitiele Th~ AALCC haD been particularly mctive in this sphere, preparing a stUdy on ths subject find f@cu81ag close attention OD the follow-up of the implementation end progrels of United Natioam resolutions. The need for adopting, clarifying and improving the existing rules of iDter~8tloDal law waa recognised by the General ABmembly in lt8 resolution (Mr, Wlsuumurti, In40nooia) 44/23, of 17 November 1989, in which it declared the p~rlod 1990 to 1999 tha United NatioDs Decado of International Law. In this connection, the Consultative Committee has a vital role to play end has therefore urged closer co-operation within the comity of nations. My delegation maintains that co-ordination in the field of cOdification and dissemination of international law appears to be a dire necessity of the hour. The precision of this gigantic task is absolutely vital t~ the evaluation of peace and harmony bett!een nations. In this context, it should be mentioned that the Consultative Committee has prepared a stUdy on promoting the use of the International Court of Justice and has submitted a report to the Secretary- General OD various methods of increaalng the effectiveness and implementation of the Manila Declaration on the peaceful settlement of disputes between States. Ke are certain that the study undertaken will make a significant contribution by harmonizing the views of Asian-African Sta~es. The Indonesian delegation is of the firm view that the s!gulflcant progress so far achieved by the AALCC not only has proved beneficial in drawing together the e3p8rtise of the Asian-African region but has made a considerable impact by projecting the interests of the international community AB a whole. It has undoubtedly attainea the principal objective of the 1955 Bandung Conference, which was to "view the position of Asia and Africa and the peoples in the world today and the contribution they can make to the promotion of world peace and co-operation". Aa a founding member of that Conference, we reaffirm our steadfest support for u.4 co-operat!~n in the programme of future activities between the AALCC and the United RatioDS. With th!s objective in mind Indonesia has bGcome a sponsor of draft re.olutioD Al45/L.4/Rev.l, entitled "Co-operation betweon the United Ratiol1s and. the biu-African Legal Consultative Committee". United Nations and the ADian-AfricBlll Ltlgal Consultative COl'lllllittee" wes included in the agenda of the thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly. This was donqt in recognition of the Committee's contribution in promoting interreqion81 and international co-operation in support of the efforts of the United Nations. Over the years the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee (AALCC) has provided a major forum for the States Members in Asia and Africa to engage in consultations and co-operation in the legal fieldo In doing so, the Committee has worked in liaison with the United Nations, maintaining close relations with its various bodies aUd specialized agencies. My delegation attaches qreat importance to the work of the AALC, whieh was established by the developing countries of A~ia end Africa in order to make an impact on the progressive development of international law. Further, although the establishment of the Committee was intended to promote the development of international law, the Committee has extended its activities to include consideration of international economic co-operation for development, the question of refugees and displaced persons, and even one of th~ videspread social evils of our time, the illicit traffic in narcotic drugs. We are also happy to note that, in an effort to preserve our environment, the Committee is actively engaged in formUlating regional and international conventions on baDning' the dumping of toxic and other wastes. As a founder member of the Committee, Sri Lanka ls pleased with th~ Rignificant contribution the Committee has made to the progressive development of international law in keeping with the aspirations of their people. This is all the more evident by the increasing number of active participants at recent meetings of the Committee, from outside the two continents, whose interests in the development of international law vere identical with those of the developing countries of Asia and Africa. (Hr. Perera, Sri Lanka) !he Secretary-General's report contained in document Al4S/S04 covers a wide range of subjects, of relevance to United Nations activitias, with which the Committee had been involved. Among these matters, the Committee is continuing to follow up the implementation of the resolution relating to strengthening the role of the United Nations by rationalizing its modus Qperandi in its programmes of work on subjects under consideration by the International Law Commission and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. In the United Nations activites under the Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Committee has reactivated a sub-committee on the law of the sea and is engaged in preparing a study on joint ventures and other core isaues considered by the Preparatory Commission for the International Sea-Bed Authority. Sri Lanka is pleased to be a sponsor of draft resolution A/4S/L.4/Rev.l, concerning co-operation between the United Nations and the AALCC. My delegation wishes to place on record our deep appreciation of the untiring efforts of the Secretary-General of the ~CC and of the other members of the AALCC secretariat. MlR NYAlYI (United Republic of Tanzania): I welcome with great pleasure this opportunity to express my delegation's satiSfaction with the dynamic and active co-operation which exists between the United Nations and the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee (AALCC). This lonq-standinq relationship has been, and remains, an outstanding example of the role which regional organizations can play in asa1sting and compl.menting the .fforts of the Un!ted Nations in the maintenSDce of international peace and security. The United Nations Charter recognizes and encourages the supportive role which regional organizations can play towards the attainment of the objectives of the United Nations. In the case of the work of the Sixth Committee, the contribution (Mr. NyaV!, United Republic of TUluia) of th~ AALCC to the debates, through its notes and comments on the items befora the Sixth Committee, have been invaluable. These comments have s~rved to satisfy a neftd which many of our countries have felt at all stages in preparing themmeIves to participate effectively in the debates of the General Assembly. My country attaches particular importance to these commentaries; to enable delegations to take them fUlly into account during their preparations for the General Assembly, it would be immensaly helpful If the comments wera made available vell in advance of the seesion. At the thir~y-sixth session of the General Assembly, which coincided with the twenty-~ifth anniversary of the establishment of the AALCC, the Assembly commanded the Committee on promoting intarregional and international co-operation in support of the efforts of the United Nations towards that end. The Committee has continued to work to strengthen the role of the United Nations and its organs, particularly in respect of encouraging' recourse to the International Court of Justice. Many States have begun to rc-evaluate their attitudes towards the Court, and there is no doubt that the work of the AALCC is ODe of the many factors encour&Qin9 movement in this direction. My delegation believes the Committee has been able to achi~ve this through its programmes and initi~tiv.s designed to promote the disseminat~on and appreciation of i~ternational law and other related sub'ects among the Member States and of the central role Assigned to the Int.rnatl~nal Court of Justice in the application of international law. The work of the AALCC has not been confined to the agenda of the Sixth Committee I it has encompassed other areas too. Thi. year, the AALCC .ecretariat prepared Dotes and comments OD items relating t@ the Iti~!an Ocean as a lone of peace, the United Rations COnf6:'3nce on BnviroDlll8nt and Development, and the protection of the global climate for pre.ent and future generations. The c~nt. aI" a ••rlous and wel~ome attempt by the Committ.e to build a regional cons.nsus on these 1s.u... Thu., ,the Committee remains the only forum where the African and Asian countries in-the regions ean consult and evolve common positions not just on issues of international law but also on other iasue. of common int.rest. rhe widening of the scope of the activities undertaken by the AALCC aa a result of tbe consultations conduct,d between the secretariat. of the United Nations and the AALCC 1s a very welcome development, and my delegation would like to take this opportunity to cQmmond both secretariats on thei~ contribution to this endeavour, CHr. 1fDky1. UQit,4 "Publig of 'I'apsuia) N8 not, with appreciation the Secretary-Ganeral·. ~eport regarding co-operation between the United Ration. and the Alien-African Legal Con.ultative COl1lllittee. It shows the links and collaboration that the AALCC ha. forged not only with the United RatioDs Secretariat but also with other bodie. a. well, such as the International Law Connlasion, the United Ration. Co_i..ion on International '1'rati, Law and the Office of the United Ratlonm High Commissioner for aefuge.s, to ~ntlon only a few. '!'he Committee has not overlooked 4eficiencie. or ..akaesses on the part of its co-operating partners which impair or impede their collaboration. It has, for ezample, set out recommendations for the improvement of the functioning of the Oeneral Assembly. My delegation welcome. the.e recommendation. aa important and useful and very much hopes that they will be used to enrich the draft document OD the rationalisation of the United Rations procedures, which has beeD finaliled by the Special Commltteo on the Charter of the United Ration. and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organilation. We note also the list of lasue. lIet out by the AALCC which it hopas to undertake in pursuance of the objectives of the Decade of International Law. '!'hese have been reproduced in the report of the Secretary-General relating to the United Ratlons Decade on Internatlonal Law. It 1& our hope that, in view of the ezcellent \, co-operation that ezlsts between the two bodies, the Unit'd Rations will assist and work .iele by sid' with the AALCC in the iJlpl'lIIntation of the progr8lllllO. "e welcome the enphaal. placed on the role of :Joint ..'tinga and ...inar. iD the prolllOtlon of the progruae. It is an open .ecr~t that, ill vie. of the finucial proble.. the AALCC ia fac!ag, the Committee will on it. OVD be unable to realise lIIUly, if not mo.t, of ita progrUll108. It 11 our hope, therefore, that the Ur.aitea Ration. "ill re.pond positivIly to the Ca..itt..•• requlwt for fisanclal aupport• Finally, I want to thank the United Nations Secreta~-General for his report on this item. We are confident that it will contribute not only to the consolidation of the co-operation between the United Nations and the AALCC but also to the strengthening and widening of the Bcope of co-operfttion between the two bodi.s. Aa an active member of the AALCC, Tan.onia looks forward to making its contribution in co-operation with other countries in the region ond the United Nations and the AALCC. Mr. APBIWI (Nepal). My delegation is pleas~d to note the growing co-operation betwe.n the United Nations and the Asian-African Legal Consultative Conalttee (AALCC). At the outset my delegation would like to thank the Secretary-General for his skilful report on co-operation between the United Nations and the AALCC. It is well known that the AALCC was first founded in 1956, under the title "Asian Legel Consultative Committee", by seven members. Subsequently the Committee waa enlarged to accommodate newly independent African States as well. Since its inception the Committee has made a significant contribution to the development of modern international law, and its relationship with the United Nations and its subsidiary organs deserves special mention. The Committee has encouraged all Member Statea to promote wider use of the International Court of Justice regarding the peaceful settlement of disputes between Stat... At the 14th meeting of the Sizth Committee, OD 12 October 1990, my delegation stated. "there should be additional outll1de encouragement for ••• countries to take their disputes to the Court". In this contezt, it i. important to reiterate the significODt role of the International Court of Justice, as mentioned in paragraph 8 of document Ales/so... Other ilsues under consideration before the Consultative Committee, such aa promotion of ratification and implementation of the United Rations Convention on Law of the Sea, international economic co-operation for development, the queation of r.fugees, sones of peace and international co-operation and illicit traffic in narcotic drugs, emphasise the relevance of the growing co-operation between the United Rations and the Committee. InternatIonal economic co-operation and the Decade of InternatIonal Law are two &dditional issues of particular interest to my delegation and other developing countries which are members of the AALCC. My delegation is, therefore, pleased to note that the question oL ~e debt burden of developing countries has been addressed by the Consultative Committee since its 1985 session in Kathmandu. In conclusion, my delegation welcomes draft resolution A/45/L.4/Bev.l, of which Nepal 11 a sponsor, and is convinced that the work of both the United Rations and the Asian-AfricAn Legal Consultative Committee will be positively affected by ita adoption. Mr. TRAILER (Italy)a I have the honour to speak on behalf of the 12 States Members of the European Community. The Twelve have &lw&ys had high regard for the quality of work of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee. Indead most of them follow its sessions closely as observers. We are highly appreciative of the work undertaken up to now by the Committ68, in particular as regards thd strengthening of the role of the United Nations and of its principal organs. The Twelve would like to underline how much they appreciate the important contribut~onMr. Nienga is making aa the Committee's Secretary-General. We have listened with great Interest to hie statement and have taken careful note of the current activities as well as of those under pr~paratloD. The Tnlve ha".. alrea41' had the opportunity in the p.st to 8upport vadouB initlativ.n undertaken by th. Asian-African Logal ConSUltative ComMittee, ••pecialll' ae regards the rationaliBation of the procedures in the GeDeral As.embly. They congratulate the Com.itt.e for the con.tructive co-operatioD that esists betVl;"Sil it and the United RatioD8. They hope that thla co-operatioD vill be strengthened and become even IIlOre fruitful in the future. 4elegation of the Sydan Arab a.pu:>uc, OD. of the s.ven biaD Stat.s that fOWld.d tbi. C~ittee, highly appreciatos the continuing co-operation between the United Rations aD4 the Asiu-African Lt9al Consultative Co..itte.. '!here la :0 doubt that thi. Cm.itt•••••ffort. have led to the strengthening of the role of the United Rations aDd its various bodied, including the International Court of Justice. Thos. efforts have tak.n the fora of initiativ•• and legal studi.s which r.flected IIOdern legal CODC.ptS, including the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, int.rnational arbitration, int.rnational vat.rwaya, and the ••ttlement of disput•• betwe.n Stat.. by peaceful meaDS in addition to other important and u••ful atudi•• which the Committee bas continu.d to prepare since ita inception. My Government depends on tb, studi•• and reports of this Ccnnltt•• as it consid.rs th.m to be an objective logal s~urc. that h.lps in resolving and Wlderstand1Dg international legal problems. tie would lits to esprees our appreciation also of the r.port of tha S.cr.tary-General to the General Assembly since co-operation between the United Hations aDd this Comnittee has continued to intensify. Tbis co-operation in the interest of the international community as a whole aDd especially the Asian and African countries. Document Al45/504 contains many referenc.s to the co-operative activities of this Committee during the period under review and this deserv.s our appreciation. Tb. priority accorded by the Consultative Committee to matters that are of current int.rest to the United Nations, especially international economic co-operation for development, refugees aDd evacuees and th~ir problem. and preparing legal prlnciplea relating to them, in addition to the concept and legal framework of _ones of peace and international co-op.ratlon~ the study it presented on that intractable problem of the illicit traffic in narcotic drugs, the problem of the (Mr. Abou-Badi4. Syrig Arab 'epublic;) du.pi89 of hazardous vaates and co-operation to conclude regional and subregional corventions banning the duaping of such vastes, all these efforts call for encouraging the role of this Committee and strengthening its co-operation vith the United Nations. My delegation vishes to pay tribute to this Committee's general secretariat for its tir.l••s efforts. He strongly support the draft resolution before the General A.sembly in document Al45/L.4 and hope that it vill be adopted by conseDmus. Tho PRISIDSNT. We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item. I should like to info~ aemba~s that the following States have joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. Iraq and Mongolia. If no on~ vishes to speak in explanation of vote, may I take it that th~ General Assembly adopts cJraft resolution Al45/L.4/Rsv.17 Draft rBsolutioD A/4S/L.t/Rey.1 yas adopted (resolution 45/4). Th' PRESIDBNT' That conclude. our cODsideration of agenda item 20. AGBHDA ITEM 24 CO-OPBRATION BETNBBN TRB UNITED NATIONS AND TBB LATIN AMERICAN ECO~QMlr. SYSTEM (a) RBPORT or THE SECRETAlY-GEHlRAL (A/45/S14) Cb) DRAFT RESOLUTION (A/45/L.6) %be PRESIDENT' I call on the representative of Peru, who will introduce the draft re.elution. Mr. LYHA (Peru) (interpretation from Spanish). On behalf of the sponsors I MI plea.ed to introduce draft resolution A/45/L.6, entitled "Co-operation between the United Nations and the Latin American Economic System", which is sponsored by all members of the Latin American Economic System (SELA). Its basic purpose is the strengthening and broadening of co-operatiGn between the United Nations system and the Latin American Economic System. (lIr. LUI@ Peru) The Latin American Econollic Syste.. (SBLA) ls an intergoverDMlltal body .stllbl1shed 15 years ago and comprising the 26 States of Latin "rica an4 the Caribbean. Its lIain pUrPOse is to promote political co-operation an4 co-or4ination on international economic issues. In other words, it is a unique forUM for harmonization on matters of particular interest to Latin American an4 Caribbean countries and its most important 4ecision-making b04y ia the aDDual meeting of ForeiC)D Ministers. During the past year, SELA ha~ been working intellsively, convening important meetings i~ order to establish the regional position on issues of external debt and the multilateral trade negotiations of the Uruguay Round. In JUDe this year the regional conference OD extGrnal debt vas held in Caracas at which, for the first time, the economy and finan~e ministers and those negotiating the external debt of the members of SELA participated. A debt reduction proposal and a regional plan of action were adopted. Likewiae, in July this year the Fifth Consultative Meeting on the Uruguay Round was held in Geneva and a political declaration and a framework for basic agreement and conS6nsus were approved. That is a siC)Dificant input OD the part of the region to the negotiating process and its importance derives from the fact that for the firmt time common positions were agreed on the 15 thematic groups in the negotiatiolls of the Uruguay Round. Let _ recall that at its forty-fourth session the General Assellbll' adopted r.solution 44/., in which it requested the Sec~etary-General to initiate coneultations lor the purpose of 4raftinw an agreenent of co-operation betw.en the United Katione and the Latin ADerican Scona.ic System (SBLl). The adoption of the draft renolution which we are introducing today would result in the continuation of tho.e consultations with a view to the signing of the agreement. The preamble to this draft resolution, aow before the Assembly, refers, inter alia, to decision 302 of the Latin American Council - the highest of SRLA - which wa. adopted at its most recent me~ting. By that decision the Council appreved the signature of an agreement between the United Nations and the Latin American Economic System. Under the operative part of the draft resolution the General Assembly would ta~e note with satisfaction of the report ~f the Secretary-General and expross satisfaction with decision 302 of the Latin American Council. It would allo grge the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Carihbean and the United Nations Development Programme to strengthen and broaden their co-ordination and mutual support actlviti t: with SELA, and would urge the specialized agencies and other orgeni.ations and progr~es of the U~it9d Nations system to continue and lntenmify their support for and co-operatioD with the activities of SELA. The General Aaaembly would also request the Secretary-G9~eralof the United Nations to promote, in close collaboration with the Permanent Secretary of the Latin American Economic System, the holding of a meeting in 1991 between their respective ~6cretariats, with the aim of identifyinq those a~eas in which it will be possible to broaden co·~opar&tion between the United Nations system and the Latin American B~onomic System. (Mr. r.upa. "0) La.tly# the General Aa•.-bly would reque.t the S.cretary-General to continue n.ultation. with the 'eraaDGnt S.cr.ta~ of the Latin AMerican ~conODic Syete. h a view to IIlgniDCJ. a••OOD .. po.dble, aD agr....nt of co-opttration between United Ration. aDd the Latin AmericaD Bconomlc Syat... Since the draft re.olution we are now i~troduciDq contain. DO cODtrov.~.i.l vi.ions and ha. no finaDclal iMplication. for the Orgaalaation, the Peruvian egation hope. that this text, which la sponsored by all the -....ber. of the Latin edcaD Economic Bystell, "i11 be adopted by coneen.u.. The Aa.allb1y would thus be ping to narrow - at 1.aet to 80.. exteat - the videning gap between tho r.gional the int.rnational l.vel., which, if it continu.. to wid.n, could distort future ion and affect the way in wbich Unit.d Natione orgaD. di.charg. their lIaDdate in ling with global is.ues at this importet .tage of the poat-coJ.d-war period. Mr. PIIII BALLOH (Uruguay) (interpretation froll SpaDi.h)a It 1. a great a.ure for my delegation to .upport the draft r••olution, introduc.d by the .gation of 'e!'u, concerning co-operation between the United Ration. ncl the in American Sconollic System (SBLA)y In this text account i. taken of ision 302 adopted at the sixt.onth regular ••••ion of the Latin American uncil. I wish briefly to report on the activiti.. carried out by the 'era&Dent cretariat of SBLA with the orgaDi.atioD., agenciea aDd progr...... of the Unit.cl ions, th",. highlightinfJ the !rIportlllce of the work they have done jointly during past year. In the area of external debt, "e .hou1d highlight the activ. participation of Latin American Bconomic Sy.tem in the prepltratory WQrk for the reg!GD&l ference OD ext.rnal ~ebt, held in Caracas in JUhe 1990. Thi. event, as the resentative of Peru reminded u., brought together for the first time economic ~D1.ter., f!aaace aiDlater. end the prlaclpal debt aegotiator. frea all the .....r co_td.. of SILA. I nou14 Ute ID thla respect to dra.....1'8' atulitioa to tbe doc_at dlich ..rge4 froe that ..eUDCJ aa4 which hu buD di.tributed la ebe GeHrm.1 ,.....ly ua4er the llyMbol A/45/334. That doc..-ut coata!a 9Uldell•• of fwuSMleatal laportuce for future lDqoUaUOD. OD tM aubject Mt...-a creditor. HC1 Let!a AaericaD debtor•• Nltb regard to the participatloD ef the United ••tioas la activltl.. related to the que.tloD of ezteraal debt, I .. ple••od to note ~e progr... -.de iD thQ pr09r.... of a••iatance and ••chaog_ of iaforDatioD on e.t.~Dal debt which, with the fl883Ci81 .u~rt of the UDlte4 Nation. Dev.lopao=t Pr09r.... (UlDP), be9aa to function after the flft.enth ...t1ft9 of the LaUu AMdclIiIl Coucll, bel4 In ltl9. As part of thls pr09r...., ....lnar. aDd appodwu bave be... beld with higb-level technical aDd political repre.entative. frOD aaey regio.. of the world. With regard to the Uruguay IOUD« of aultllateral t~ade D89otlation.~ co-or4laatloD aa4 conDultation. carried out by the Peraaasnt Secretariat @f SILA bave e~le4 the countries of LetiD a..rica aDd the Caribbeaa to adopt a political declaratlQD, a fr..-work of und.r.t~diD9 and basie CODseDsuae. on the priDclpal polDt. that ~ve bee. negotiated iD the 15 groups at pr•••nt iD GeDeva. SILA'. work of co-ordinatlOD and consultation iu the region i. DOt at aD ead. What i& MOre, it 1.....ntia1 to streDgtbel1 the lupl)Ort that GovarDlUnt. rec.l". on th.s••attere of such l~rtanc.. Tb. co-ope~atlon cf thi. OrqanlaatioD i. crucial If we al'. to .ate progr.ss on the.e subjects and to consolidate the .upport for SILA that has ~co.. en .ffective and appropriate instrua3nt serving the lct.rosta of th. reglon. In tho draft reSOlution before us and in the statement by the repre••Dtatlve of Psru ref.r.nce Is .ad. to the orqanlaatioaa, bodi.s end progr&MMes witb which the Latin American Economic Syste. clos.ly co-oper~t••, .0 I .ball Dot repeat the. her.. I shall conUDe ayself to a44in9 our support to the btportQc. of thla relationship's beiDg ~~o~deDed and d.epen~4 with a vie. to future joint activities of SILA with the United Nationll Industrial Deve:LOpl'eDt Ol"{lanhation (UlfIDO), the United Ration& Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (URBSCO), the Ulilte4 Ration. Conforence on Trade and Developllent (UNCTAD) and the Icono.ic Cc.1asion for Latin AMdca and the CadblHte (BCLAC). In this regar4, we support the proposal. In oper~tive paragraphs 6 and 7 of the draft resolution before the Aas.-bly for con.ideration. In vie. of the foregoing.. we reco_n4 the adoption by consenllus of the draft re.olution muba!tt~d on the subject, In ezpre.sing our support for thie text, we alao pay a tribute to the SeeretalY-General of the United Rations for the outstandiDg report he hae subMitted, Mr- MOlIDio (Ne:l:1co) (1Dt~lI:p!.".t&tion frea Spllmlehh The item before us today confi~. Latin ~rica's deep cODvlction about the undeniable a4v&Iltage. of constant od open dialogue, .hieb would enabl. us to adopt Ca.lOn ,odt!on. to deal with the .jor challenges facin, the vcrl4 today aDd the _jor changes that al'. occurring, He firaly believe that this trauDitlollDl period offera us a wealth of opportunities but also .any chall.nges~ Societies are nc. being reorgani.ed through the ~derni.ation of political and econoMlc institutions, This transitional period offera opportuniti.. to streDgthen international econe-!c co-operation, but a larg8 nuaber of developing countri.s run ~. riat of beiDe) left on the sid4l11=•• of progress and prosperity. The countries of the South are resolved to particlpato iD the.e chang••, aespit. the s.riou~ econOMic proble.. facing U8, including the ..~.!ve transfer of r••ource. abroad, which continu,. to be the ..in obstacle to thG reaewal of our growth. Tb. ab••nce of favourable _sternal conditions and of co-operative action to complement our efforts to ensure economic modernisation has also limited the .scope of what can be done through our national policie. for atabiliaation and growth. (Mr. HoDtaiio, Mexico) The resumption of growth and development in the countries of the South must be the main ob'ective of multilateral ecoDomic co-operAtion over the coming 4ecade. There are a number of factors militating Against that, but we Are resolved to fight against them. »titente Md even co-operation araong the ma'or Powers are in fact not helping in the development process of our countries, and the profound changes that have occurred in the count21es of Eastern Europe and the process of integr~tioD in Europe could actually involve increasing mArginalisation of the developing countries in the financial, trade and technological areas. 'aced with this 8cenario, wbich i. not belpful for the development objective. of the developing countrie8 and the countrie8 of the South, and 8pecifically tho8e of Latin ~rica and the Caribbean, internatioDal and regionAl economic and technical ~o-operatlon is essential. Tha specific demands end priorities of those countries must ha the point of departure in allocating reaources made Available througb internAtional co-operation. Sinc. the establishment of the Latin American Economic SY8tem (SBLA), it has been a privileged forum in which to work together and ensure co-oper&tion in LAtin AlMricA od the Caribbean, aDd deal with cri.es affecting our countries. Of the mo8t recent Activities of SELA, wo sbould highlight the effort8 to co-ordinate the position8 of the countries of the region within the context of the Uruguay Round, and also the organisation of the regionAl conference OD external debt whl~h was held in CAraca8, Ven.suela, la8t JUDe. In the region it ill felt that SBL.~ should be a link with other forums, and the Gcve~lU'ftent of my country bAS 8ubscribed to that point of view, ThU8 the il14tmber8 of SELA have decided to join their efforts with ~o8e of the United Hations iD order to co-ordinAte activities towarda common goa18. The regionAl conference on (Hr. MontaDo, ~xico) industrialisation, scheduled for 1991 should offer a good opportunity for the continued consolidation of such efforts. Co-operation betw8Gn SELA and the Economic COIIIlisslon for Latin America and the Carlbbee ~BCLAC) has been a key element in identifying what has to be done as regards the Latin American economic .ituatio~ and in anslysingseecific projecta in priority areas. We have also had a positive input from the agencies and specialised organs of the United Nations and various committees of SELA. Co-operation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organisation, has shown that there ia now an agenda of projects to be implemented, and this is very important for the region. There has alao been joint activity between SELA and UNDP. A co-ordination ..eting of the directors for international technical co-operation on the Fourth Regional Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean has been held and in February 1990 there ware prep'lratory meetings regarding the fifth prog~ammin9 cycle of UHDP. At the latter, criteria, guidelines and priority areas were established for the preparations for the Fifth Regional ~rogramme for Latin America and the Caribbean. There are important links betwe.n SELA, the regional focal-point for promoting and :strengthening teelmical co-operation for the developing countries, and the UNOP Special Unit for Technical Co-operation Among Developing Countries. On 7 September last, the Latin American Council adopted decision 302, which approved the signing of an agreement of co-operation between the United Nations and SELA. This represents an aspiration of the countries of the ragion as well a~ a challenge, which maans our passing the declaratory stage and taking concrete action as to what can be done by regional and universal multilateral bodies in the (Hr. Morat:do. Mlzlc;o) economic and soci&l areas. My delegation believes that there can be no real political progress without concomitant support for improvement in the standards of living for our societi.s as a whole. !he United Rations and SiLl ahould work to that end. The delegation of Mazico supports the draft rasolution in docUMent Al45/L.6, which has been so clearly and ably introduced by the d.l~ation of Peru. Mr. DIL ROSARIO (Dominican Republic) (interpretation frOM Spanish)1 Oura is an increasingly interdependent world. JUlllt aa the collapse of the Hew York Stock Market could lead to the fall of a Gov~rument in 80me third-world country~ 80 a crisis in a country of the underdeveloped world can shake the pillars of a developed country. Precisely 15 years ago tomorrow, 25 representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean - today there ars 26 - meeting in Pan~a and bearing in mind near- and lon9-te~ prospects, signed the Convention founding the Latin American Economic System (SELl). The e.tabliebment of SiLl as a geuuinely Latin AvArican and Caribbean organisation filled the gap in the structure of the international relations of Latin America and the Caribbean, and it became the response to tho needs of a whole region anzioully seeking fulfilment in working out its own destiny. SELl constitute3 a .ul 9luor1. international organisation within the regional community. Its s&Dsitivity and effectiveness are easily measured by the speed and agility with which it CCii1 introduce an item, a problem or a point of particular intereat into its agenda and programme of activities. In SILA, we believe firmly in the intrinsic justice of the .truggle. of our region withia the framework of the third world, which, although a vast and heterogeneous world with a varied hi8tory and geographically scattered, 18 not alien to the inhabitants of Latin America and the Caribbean. There is nothing alien to U8 in the confrontatioDiI over more remunerative commodity price8, over more opeD markets for our export., over an (Mr e Del 201.[io. Domipican Republic) int.grativ. solution to the problem of external debt for which we are not alone responsibl., and over a more truthful presentation of our image and identity in the ma.. media. Nor is th.re anything alien to us in the struggles against aberrant racial discrimination or social injustic. in any of their forms. By r.ason of our cODfidence in its offectivene8s and s.ns. of responsibility and our cODviction that it is a necessary organization, the Dominican Republic has not spared any effort to support SELl since its inception. ror that r.ason, the delegation of the Dominican Republic, having read with great interest the report of the Secretary-General contained in document A/45/5l", and having taken note of it with great pleasure, reiterates its support for. the decisions of the Latin American Economic Council concerning co-operation between the United Nations and SELA and trusts that the co-operation of ECLlC and UNDP and other specialized organisations of the United Nations with SELA will continue within the framework of its requirements and capacities. In view of the foregoing, our delegation is co-sponsoring the proposal in draft resolution A/45/L.6, pr.sented by the delegation of Peru, concerning co-operation betwe~n the United Nations and the Latin American Economic Syst.m• Mr. del YALLI (Chile) (intorpretation from Spanish); Just a few welts agOg the President of Chile was here, reaffirming from this rostrum our country's resolve to contribute its best diplomatic effort to the various initiatives aimed at fQstering international convergence. A few days later, this concept was \ reaffirmed in Caracas during his official visit to Vene8uela. The international vision that Chile hal cherished throughout its history has its natural outlet in our collaboration with those countries with which we share a continent and similar problems and realities. Bence, our strong and concrete interest in regional multilateral structures and their linkage with the world structur.~ There is & special significance in President Aylwin's visit to the headquarters of the Latin American Economic System (SELA) in Caracas. That visit was not a mere formalitYI it had a much deeper meaning, which was to reaffirm Chile's faith in regional and international organisations. By his presence, the Chilean leader emphasized the same point that had been made a few days earlier at the United National we believe in the multilateral system and in its interrelatioDships. Under agenda item 24, we wanted to highlight two things and tho linkage between them. When tho Latin American Economic System was established, there were many dissenting voices. At first, it did not seam to bl a geod i4ea to everybody, and there was a certain distrust. To those who were against it, it seemed to be a new structure which would hinder the processes of integration already und~r way in the continent and, further, contribute to bureaucratisin9 the multilateral system in Latin America. They a180 questioned it, because it seemed to duplicate functions of bodies which, although weak, only needed to be strengthened. But the chorus of criticism coming from many quarters did not prevent SELA from being established, and its structure and functions bave demonatrate4 its validity and true worth. The criticism did net discourage those In41vidu81D~ with the many oconomic and Docial problems afflicting our region. and as a very valuable machenilm for working together in variou8 areas. Over time. the detractors of SILA had to keep discreetly silent. for that body became on6 of tha moat soli4 pillars of our countries in their efforts to achieve growth and develoPMent. Chile is particularly plea.ed at the maturity the Latin American Iconomic Systea ha. acquired. ADd yet, we need cla.er and acre dynamic links with the United Ratians. In any event. Chi1. has wolcom.4 with parti~ular optimism the aChievement. in that area. The Secretary-General'a report clearly demonstrate. the progress th&t has been made. %be increasing co-operation between the United N~tiona and SILl in various areaa le encouraging. Tbi. progre•• has been not only quantitative but also qualitative. In this regard. we would highlight the intensification of links between the Economic COMmission for Latin Aneric& and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and SILA. There ba~ been particularly welcome co-operation between the headquarters in Santiago and in Caraca.. Here. we can higblight the interchange of experience and info~atlon leadin9 to co-operation between the two bodie. in dealin9 with such iasues as tranaportation, indu.try. technology and 80cial pellciesr as vell aa in the area of forward plaDDing~ There has also been greater participation by ICLAC In the various expert meetings organised by SILA. The concluslons of these DOeting. have served as inputa for atudies on auch various service .ectors ae telecommunication•• con.truction end engine.ring. audio-visual .ervices and finaDcial services. Similarly. co-operation betwuen 2CLAC and SBLA led to a specific proposal. approved at the Third Latin American ConBultatlve Meeting on Service., which waa an important contribution to th~ delibarationB of the Group of Negotiatione OD Servic.. of the Uruguay Round. (Mr. d'l Yoll'. Chile) AlIO, we must emphasise that thi8 increase in links b.tween SBLA and t~. Unit.d Ration. has ~ccurr,d in almost all of the 8peciali.ed ag,nci,s and progr..... In the Unit.d Nations syst.m, thus giving full ,ffect to what was d.cid.d by the G.neral Ass.Mbly in earli,r years. The conclu8ion8 drawn in the r.port of the Secr.ary-Gen.ral are quite clear on that 8cor,. In future links betW$eD this wor14 body and SBLA, .. hope that particul~r .mphaal. wIll be given to economic8 and to finding ways of me.ting tb. challenge of the currsnt crl.18 which Im grievously afflicting most of the members of SELA. N' beli.v. that co-or~lnatioD can be improved, and 80 it i. important to 8tep up consultations b.tween the Secretary-General of the United Nationl and the Ps~an,nt Secretary of SELl with a view to reaching a fo~al agre.m.nt on co-operation betw.en th' two bodi.s as 800D 88 possIble. Ber., .. would r.call d.cislon 302 of the sixteenth r.gular se8sion ~f tho Latin American Council, whIch authorized the Permanent Secretary to sign such an agreement on behalf of SELA. ChIle d.c1d.4 to co-sponsor the draft ~e8olution introduced by Feru on co-operation betwe,n the United Nations and SELA, which i8 now befor, the Aaa.mbly. Thi8 18 ODe of many expressioDs of Chile's de8ire to resume verk in the int.rnational ar.na with a different perspective - ODe that i8 more open and more frank, but without 10lin9 sight of our point of reference, our origin and deepe8t roots I Latin America. We are thus resolved to contribute to all initiatives in the search for improved contacts bet.een our multilateral, region&l 8tructu~es and this world body. Ne are aW8r, that we have a unique opportunity for creativity In international relatione, particularly in view of the dynamism deriving from change. in the int.rnational arena which enable U8 to devote more time and effort to combating the probleM8 afflicting the societie8 of our region. In thin re8pect p co-operation at"'D the UniteeS Rations and SELA could become an element of parMOunt importance. ~. ZAMQIA RQDRIGQlZ (Cuba) (interpretation from Spaniw4)1 First I should liks to thank the Secr~tariat for preparing the very good report that ha. been submitted to us in compliance wlth General Aaeembly re.olution 44/4, adopted by the Aasembly at its forty-fourth s••slon. ror Cuba, co-operation betwaen the United Rations and the Latin American Economic System (SELl) i. a treme~dou.ly importent item. Sinc. it waa established, in 1975, SELA has been a very us.ful organisation for the countries of the Latin Amedcan and C~l'ibbean region, od it would 8t?pear that it will be even more relevant in the future. Its key f3atures so far as our region is concernod are that its member.hip i. complately Latin American and Caribbean and that its specific ob'.ctives are to promote interregionel eo-operation DDd to establish a permanent .y.t~m of consultation and co-ordination to enDure the adoption of common positions and strategies on economic and social questions. Because of thia, its very ezistence and its functions are of value in a world that is increasingly made up of political and economic blocs and of integrated regions. For years efforts hsve been ma4e to strengthen collective self-sufficiency and to promote or channel progremmes of economic and scientific and technical co-operation. Theso efforte have encountered obstacl.s resulting both from our national and regional shortcomings and from the imperfections of the international and economic aystem within which we ar~ obliged to operate. Nevertheless, our organi.ation's objectives have evolved over time, and important results have been achieved in the area of co-ordination and complementarity botveen the region's ecoDomie.. Prom the point of view of concerted action, SiLl has 8e~ve4 as a mechanism for the preparation of regional positions cn items on the agenda of the United Nations and other agencies of the systam. (Mr. ZDmQra Rodrigu,., CubA) We are therefore very pl&ar~d at the establishment of closer relation~ between Umited Nations and SELA. Me have studied corefully the report submitted by the etary-General and we feel that it appropriately reflects the opportunities for peration in the various areas where work can be done to forge closer links een the United Nations system and SELA. As we have seen, there is a whole p of areas in which SELA's present infrastructure CaD be used, from the puint iew both of information and of its network of committees specialised in various o-economic sectorm involve4 in activities car~ied out by or through the United ons system. The United Nations has the capacity to mobilize resources and technical stance that, at the appropriate time, could make a great contribution to SELA's ctives and to many of its activities now under way. In particular, the omic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (SCLAe) and the United ons Development Programme (UNOP) offer the greatest possibilities in this rd. We support any measurea aimed at strengthening the relation cf those es of the United Nations with SELA, increasing their support for SELA, and sidering SELA as the appropriate focal point for the co-ordination of regional ubregional technical co-operation programmes and as the body for channelling stance and implementing pro'ectl. For Latin America and the Caribbean, as an underdeveloped region of the world, vill be essential in the future to strengthen this genuinely regional anilation. At a time when it seems that Bast-W.st tensions have lessened and the profound North-South imbalances have come to the forefront, the countries Solivar'. America need to prepare themselves to face together the challenges of storical era in which strength or survival will to a large extent be determined he character and solidity of the socio-economic alliances that are formed. (Mr. Zomoro Rgdrigu'l, C~) Tb. regional integratioa of Latin AMerica and the Caribbean i8 an urgGnt .~orical need. To evade it would be an error difficult to correct. SBLA offera machinery to strengthen this process and counts among it. assets the years of erience and successful attempts at concerted action that have formed its prenticeship. w. loot forward to the further devel0PRent of relatioDs between the United ions and SZLA and to an expansion of the co-ope~ation and solidarity of the ld Organisation with the only orgmnilbtion that ls genuinely and fully re.entative of Latin America and the Caribbean, a region that Jose Marti called r America". Thl PRBSIDENta The Assembly will nov tate a decision on dr~ft resolution