A/49/PV.3 General Assembly
Item 8 of the provisional agenda Adoption of the agenda and organization of work: first report of the General Committee (A/49/250)
This morning the General Assembly will consider the first report of the General Committee (A/49/250). I shall be referring to specific sections and paragraphs of the report which contain recommendations for consideration by the Assembly.
We turn first to section I, "Introduction". In paragraph 2 of its report, the General Committee draws the attention of the General Assembly to the provisions reproduced in annexes V, VI, VII and VIII of its rules of procedure. May I take it that the Assembly takes note of those provisions?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 3, the General Committee took note of resolution 48/264 of 29 July 1994, entitled "Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly", and of annex I thereto, entitled "Guidelines on the rationalization of the agenda of the General Assembly". The provisions of that resolution and of the guidelines are reflected in the document before the General Assembly under the relevant headings.
We shall now consider section II of the report, "Organization of the session".
We turn first to section II.B, which deals with rationalization of the work of the General Assembly.
In paragraph 6, the General Committee draws the attention of the General Assembly to paragraph 5 of the annex to resolution 45/45, regarding certain Main Committees meeting in sequential order, taking into account such matters as the number of meetings required for the consideration of the items with which they are charged at that session, the organization of the work of the whole session and the problem of the participation of smaller delegations. May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of paragraph 6 of the report?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 7 of its report, the General Committee took note of the fact that measures introduced to reduce costs relating to overtime would be strictly enforced.
In section II.C, concerning the closing date of the forty-ninth session, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that the forty-ninth session should recess not later than Tuesday, 20 December 1994, and close on Monday, 18 September 1995. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
Also in paragraph 8, the General Committee further
It was so decided.
We turn next to section II.D, "Schedule of meetings".
In paragraph 9, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that morning meetings should start at 10 a.m. promptly for all plenary meetings and meetings of the Main Committees. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
Also in paragraph 9, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that, as a cost-saving measure, every effort should be made to ensure that plenary meetings and meetings of the Main Committees adjourn by 6 p.m. May I take it that the General Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
It should be noted that these measures will not apply to plenary meetings during the general debate.
In paragraph 10, the General Committee recommends that, in order to avoid the late start of meetings, the General Assembly should waive the requirement of the presence of at least one third of the members to declare a plenary meeting open and permit the debate to proceed and of one quarter of the members to declare a meeting of a Main Committee open and permit the debate to proceed. May I take it that the General Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
None the less, I should like to endorse strongly the practical suggestion made at previous sessions that each delegation designate someone to be present at the scheduled time. I sincerely hope that all delegations will cooperate in this regard.
It was so decided.
In that connection, I should like to assure the Assembly that I shall be in the Chair punctually at the scheduled time. I urge the Chairmen of the Main Committees to do the same. I sincerely hope that all delegations will make a special effort to cooperate in this regard.
In section II.E, concerning the general debate, the General Committee recommends in paragraph 12 that the general debate should begin on Monday, 26 September 1994, and end on Thursday, 13 October 1994. The General Committee also recommends that the list of speakers in the general debate should be closed on Wednesday, 28 September 1994, at 6 p.m. May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendations contained in paragraph 12?
It was so decided.
In view of the very large number of speakers already on the list for the general debate, I urge representatives to make their statements in the order in which they appear on the list of speakers. Those who are unable to speak at the scheduled time will be put at the end of the list for that day.
In paragraph 13 the General Committee draws the Assembly’s attention to the decision taken by the Assembly at previous sessions to prohibit the practice of expressing congratulations inside the General Assembly Hall after a speech has been delivered. The General Committee recommends that this provision should apply also at the forty-ninth session. May I take it that the General Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
Also in paragraph 13, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that, after delivering their statements, speakers in the general debate should leave the General Assembly Hall through room GA-200, located behind the
It was so decided.
We now turn to section II F.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provisions concerning explanations of vote and right of reply contained in paragraph 14?
It was so decided.
May I further take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to limit points of order to five minutes, as recommended in paragraph 15?
I see no objection.
It was so decided.
May I take it that the Assembly takes note of the provisions contained in paragraph 16 regarding the length of statements?
It was so decided.
Section II G deals with records of meetings.
In paragraph 17 the General Committee took note of the fact that during the forty-ninth session verbatim records would be provided for plenary meetings of the General Assembly and meetings of the First Committee and that summary records would be provided for the meetings of the General Committee and the Main Committees of the Assembly.
May I take it that the Assembly approves the recommendation contained in paragraph 17?
It was so decided.
Section II H concerns concluding statements in the General Assembly and the Main Committees.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of this section?
Section II I concerns resolutions.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provisions contained in paragraphs 19, 20 and 21?
It was so decided.
Section II J concerns documentation.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provision relating to reports of the Secretary-General or of subsidiary organs, contained in paragraph 22?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 23 the General Committee draws the attention of the General Assembly to paragraph 6 of its resolution 49/264, in which the Assembly emphasizes that reports requested of the Secretary-General should be made available in all official languages in a timely manner, in accordance with the rules of procedure of the General Assembly and the annexes thereto, with a view to enabling delegations to consider the substance of such reports more thoroughly in advance of meetings.
May I take it that the Assembly takes note of paragraph 23?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 24 the General Committee took note of the fact that, despite the provisions adopted by the General Assembly to control and limit documentation, the volume of pre-session documentation has consistently increased in recent years, without any strengthening of resources, thus contributing to serious delays in the issuance of documentation.
Section II K refers to questions relating to the programme budget.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provisions contained in paragraphs 25 and 26? The Secretary-General thus considers it desirable that Member States submit their proposals regarding the preparation of statements of programme-budget implications sufficiently in advance to avoid the cancellation of meetings and the postponement of consideration of items. May I take it that the Assembly takes note of the observations of the Secretary-General contained in paragraph 27?
It was so decided.
It was so decided.
May I take it that the Assembly also approves the recommendation contained in paragraph 29 regarding the scheduling of observances and commemorative meetings?
It was so decided.
I now invite the General Assembly to turn to section II M, which refers to special conferences.
May I take it that the Assembly approves the recommendations referred to in paragraphs 30 and 31?
It was so decided.
In section II N, concerning meetings of subsidiary organs, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly, on the strict understanding that meetings would have to be accommodated within available facilities and services, that the subsidiary organs referred to in paragraph 32 be authorized to meet during the forty-ninth session.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves that recommendation? In paragraph 34 the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that it consider whether it is possible to rationalize its meetings between January and August in order to facilitate advance planning for delegations and the Secretariat. May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendation contained in paragraph 34?
It was so decided.
It was so decided.
We turn now to section IV of the report of the General Committee, relating to the adoption of the agenda. This section begins at paragraph 35.
I would first remind members that rule 23 of the rules of procedure provides that:
"Debate on the inclusion of an item in the agenda, when that item has been recommended for inclusion by the General Committee, shall be limited to three speakers in favour of, and three against, the inclusion."
I should like to stress that at this time we are not discussing the substance of any item.
With regard to paragraph 36, may I consider that it is the wish of the Assembly to direct its Main Committees to review their agendas with a view to streamlining their programme of work, as suggested in that paragraph?
I see no objection.
It was so decided.
In paragraph 37 the General Committee recommends that the consideration of item 85 of the draft agenda (Question of the Malagasy islands of Glorieuses, Juan de Nova, Europa and Bassas da India) be deferred to the fiftieth session and that the item be included in the provisional agenda of that session.
It was so decided.
In paragraph 38 the General Committee recommends that the consideration of item 86 of the draft agenda (Question of East Timor) be deferred to the fiftieth session and that the item be included in the provisional agenda of that session.
May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 39 the General Committee recommends that sub-item (c) of item 90 (Report of the International Conference on Population and Development) become a separate agenda item.
May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 40, relating to item 103 of the draft agenda (Necessity of adopting effective measures for the promotion and protection of the rights of children throughout the world who are victims of especially difficult circumstances, including armed conflicts), the General Committee decided to amend the title of the item to read as follows: "Promotion and protection of the rights of children".
May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
We now turn to paragraph 41. With regard to item 115 of the draft agenda (Personnel questions), the General Committee decided to change the wording of the item to read as follows:
"Human resources management:
(a) Strategy for the management of the human resources of the Organization;
(c) Respect for the privileges and immunities of officials of the United Nations and the specialized agencies and related organizations;
(d) Other human resources questions."
May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
I wish to draw the attention of members to the Summary of Scheduled Meetings in today’s Journal. In Section IV of the summary of the 1st meeting of the General Committee, "Adoption of the agenda", the last paragraph of the text under item 153 should be deleted. That modification applies to all official languages.
In respect of paragraph 42, therefore, the General Committee decided not to recommend the inclusion of item 153 of the draft agenda.
We turn now to the agenda which the General Committee recommends for adoption by the General Assembly.
In accordance with past practice, we shall follow the numbering given in paragraph 43 of the General Committee’s report (A/49/250) and, where it seems appropriate, we shall consider items in groups. I should like to remind members once again that at present we are not discussing the substance of any item, except when such discussion can assist the Assembly in deciding whether or not to include an item in the agenda.
Items 1 to 6 have already been dealt with.
We turn to items 7 to 25. May I remind members that we are dealing only with the question of the inclusion of the items.
I take it that these items are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
We come now to item 26. May I take it that the item is included in the agenda?
I now refer to items 27 to 44.
I take it that these items are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
May I take it that items 45 to 52 are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
I now invite members to turn to items 53 to 64 relating to disarmament.
May I take it that these items are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
May I take it that item 65 is included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
We now turn to items 66 to 73.
May I take it that these items are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
I now invite members to turn to items 74 to 86.
May I take it that these items are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
We now come to items 87 to 92 relating to international economic cooperation.
May I take it that these items will be included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
May I take it that these items will also be included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
May I take it that items 104 to 132 dealing with administrative and financial questions are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
We now turn to items 133 to 146.
If I hear no objection, I shall take it that these items are included in the agenda.
It was so decided.
Item 147 is entitled "Question of the review of the Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies".
May I take it that this item is included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
Item 148 is entitled "The situation in the occupied territories of Croatia".
I am informed that a delegation wishes to make a statement concerning the inclusion of this item.
Greece has repeatedly stated its concern on the situation in the territories of Croatia under temporary United Nations protection. As a country of the region, both in our national capacity and as a member of the European Union, we have made every possible effort, and will continue to do so, in order to convince the parties involved of the need to achieve a modus vivendi in those areas.
In this context, we are aware of the reasons for which the Croatian Government has asked for the inclusion of this item in the agenda of the General Assembly. However, we share the strong reservations
We are confident that the Croatian delegation has duly taken note of those reservations and we hope that the deliberations of the General Assembly on this item will be non-confrontational and constructive.
The Assembly has taken note of the statement of the representative of Greece.
May I take it that this item is included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
We turn now to item 149, entitled "Report of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991".
May I take it that this item is included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
Next, we turn to item 150, entitled "Commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War".
May I take it that the Assembly recommends the inclusion of this item?
It was so decided.
Item 151 is entitled "Observer status for the South Pacific Forum in the General Assembly".
May I take it that the Assembly recommends the inclusion of this item?
It was so decided.
Now we turn to item 152, entitled "Observer status for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the General Assembly".
It was so decided.
Item 153 is entitled "Chemical and bacteriological (biological) weapons".
May I take it that the Assembly decides to include this item in its agenda?
It was so decided.
Item 154 is entitled "United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s".
May I take it that the Assembly decides to include this item?
It was so decided.
We turn now to item 155, entitled "Programme budget for the biennium 1990-1991".
May I take it that the Assembly decides to include this item?
It was so decided.
Next we turn to item 156, entitled "Building a peaceful and better world through sport".
May I take it that the Assembly decides to include this item?
It was so decided.
Item 157 is entitled "Question of criteria for the granting of observer status in the General Assembly".
May I take it that the Assembly decides to include this item? May I take it that the Assembly decides to include this item?
It was so decided.
It was so decided.
We now turn to section V of the Secretary-General’s memorandum (Allocation of items).
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provisions contained in paragraph 44?
It was so decided.
The modifications indicated in paragraph 45 are reflected in the proposed allocation. We shall therefore consider them when we come to the relevant items under paragraph 46.
Before we proceed, may I remind members that the item numbers refer to the agenda in paragraph 43 of the report before us, namely document A/49/250.
I now invite members to turn to the list of items recommended by the General Committee for consideration in plenary meeting.
We turn first to the recommendation in paragraph 45 (a) (i) relating to item 12 (Report of the Economic and Social Council).
May I take it that the General Assembly adopts that recommendation?
It was so decided.
We now turn to the recommendation in paragraph 45 (a) (ii) concerning item 18 on decolonization.
May I take it that the General Assembly adopts this recommendation?
It was so decided.
Next we turn to the recommendation in paragraph 45 (a) (iii)
May I take it that the General Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
In connection with paragraph 45 (a) (iv) relating to item 51 (Question of Cyprus), the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that the item be allocated at an appropriate time later during the session.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
We now turn to the recommendation in paragraph 45 (a) (v) concerning item 149 (Report of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991).
May I take it that the Assembly adopts that recommendation?
It was so decided.
Next we turn to the recommendation in paragraph 45 (a) (vi) concerning item 150 (Commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War).
May I take it that the Assembly adopts this recommendation?
It was so decided.
We now turn to the recommendation in paragraph 45(a)(vii) concerning item 151 (Observer Status for the South Pacific Forum in the General Assembly).
May I take it that the Assembly adopts this recommendation? The General Committee decided to defer its recommendation on the allocation of the item to a later date. Taking into account the decisions just adopted regarding the allocation of specific items for consideration in plenary meeting, may I now consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of the items listed in paragraph 46 of the report of the General Committee for consideration directly in plenary meeting?
It was so decided.
It was so decided.
We come now to the list of items which the General Committee has recommended for allocation to the First Committee.
We turn to the recommendation in paragraph 45 (b) relating to item 62 concerning disarmament and the International Atomic Energy Agency report, not item 63, as indicated in this paragraph.
May I take it that the Assembly approves the recommendation pertaining to item 62?
It was so decided.
Taking into account the decision just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of the items proposed for the First Committee in paragraph 46 of the report of the General Committee?
It was so decided.
We turn now to the list of items which the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee).
We turn to the recommendation in paragraph 45 (c), concerning item 148, entitled "The situation in the occupied territories of Croatia".
It was so decided.
Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items proposed for the Fourth Committee in paragraph 46 of the report of the General Committee?
It was so decided.
We now come to the list of items which the General Committee has recommended for allocation to the Second Committee.
We turn now to the recommendation in paragraph 45 (d) (i) concerning item 92, entitled "Agenda for development". The General Committee decided to defer consideration of the allocation of the item as a whole to a later date.
We now turn to paragraph 45 (d) (ii) relating to item 158 on the report of the International Conference on Population and Development. The General Committee decided to recommend that the debate on the item should be held directly in plenary meeting, on the understanding that action on the item would be taken in the Second Committee.
May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items proposed for the Second Committee in paragraph 46 of the report of the General Committee?
It was so decided.
We turn now to the list of items which the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Third Committee.
May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items to the Third Committee as proposed in paragraph 46 of the report of the General Committee?
It was so decided.
Next we come to the list of items which the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Fifth Committee.
Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items to the Fifth Committee as proposed in paragraph 46 of the report of the General Committee?
It was so decided.
Lastly, we come to the list of items which the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Sixth Committee.
We turn to the recommendation in paragraph 45 (f) relating to item 157, entitled "Question of criteria for the granting of observer status in the General Assembly".
May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of the items proposed for the Sixth Committee in paragraph 46 of the report of the General Committee? I wish to thank the members of the Assembly for their cooperation. Each of the Main Committees will receive the list of agenda items allocated to it so that it may begin its work as soon as possible, in accordance with rule 99 of the rules of procedure.
It was so decided.
112. Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations
I should like to inform the Assembly that Mali has made the necessary payment to reduce its arrears below the amount specified in Article 19 of the Charter.
May I take it that the General Assembly duly takes note of this information?
It was so decided.
Organization of work
I should like to announce that the list of speakers for the plenary meetings devoted to the implementation of the follow-up to the International Year of the Family, to be held on Tuesday, 18 October, is now open. Only two plenary meetings were envisaged by resolution 47/237, but I have been informed that a considerable number of Members have expressed interest in participating in these meetings and that therefore two meetings might be insufficient.
In the light of such information, I should like to request representatives who wish to speak to inscribe their names in the list of speakers as soon as possible so that we can plan how best to organize those meetings and avoid very late hours. The list of speakers for this observance will close on Tuesday, 18 October, at 12 noon.
The meeting rose at 12.25 p.m.