A/50/PV.3 General Assembly
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The meeting was called to order at 10.35 a.m.
Item 122 of the provisional agenda (continued) Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations (A/50/444/Add.1)
Before turning to the item on our agenda for this morning, I should like to draw the General Assembly’s attention to document A/50/444/Add.1.
In a letter contained in that document, the Secretary- General informs me that, since the issuance of his communication dated 19 September 1995, Burundi has made the necessary payment to reduce its arrears below the amount specified in Article 19 of the Charter.
Since the issuance of document A/50/444/Add.1, I have been informed that Guatemala has also made the necessary payment to reduce its arrears below the amount specified in Article 19 of the Charter. This information will be incorporated into the final version of document A/50/444/Add.1.
May I take it that the General Assembly duly takes note of this information?
It was so decided.
Item 8 of the provisional agenda Adoption of the agenda and organization of work: first report of the General Committee (A/50/250)
This morning the Assembly will consider the first report of the General Committee, which has been circulated in document A/50/250. I will refer to specific sections and paragraphs of the report which contain recommendations for consideration by the Assembly.
The General Committee, in paragraph 2 of its report, 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 General Assembly resolution 48/264 of 29 July 1994, entitled “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly”, and to annex I thereto, entitled “Guidelines on the rationalization of the agenda of the General Assembly”. The provisions of the resolution and the guidelines are reflected in the document before the General Assembly under the relevant headings.
We shall now examine section II of the report, which deals with the organization of the session.
We turn first to section II.B, dealing with the rationalization of work of the General Assembly.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of paragraph 6?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 7, the General Committee took note of the fact that measures introduced to reduce costs relating to overtime would be strictly enforced.
Next, we turn to Section II.C, on the observance of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations.
In paragraph 8, the General Committee took note of General Assembly resolution 48/215 B of 26 May 1994 on the observance of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations, in particular to paragraph 1, whereby the Assembly decided to convene a special commemorative meeting of the General Assembly on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the entry into force of the Charter of the United Nations, to be held at United Nations Headquarters from 22 to 24 October 1995.
In paragraph 9, the General Committee draws the attention of the General Assembly to the annex of its resolution 49/12 B of 24 May 1995, regarding the procedure for organizing the order of speakers during the Special Commemorative Meeting.
Owing to the large number of participants addressing the Meeting, the General Committee also draws the attention of the Assembly to the absolute necessity of punctuality for the orderly conduct of the meetings.
In paragraph 10, the General Committee, bearing in mind the solemn nature of the Special Commemorative Meeting and the serious time and technical service constraints and pointing out that it may not be possible to accommodate statements in exercise of the right of reply in the usual manner, recommends to the General Assembly that during the Special Commemorative Meeting statements
May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation? In section II.D, which relates to the closing date of the fiftieth session, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that the fiftieth session recess not later than Tuesday, 19 December 1995, and close on Monday, 16 September 1996. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
It was so decided.
In the same paragraph, the General Committee further recommends to the Assembly that all the Main Committees should make every effort to complete their work by Friday, 1 December 1995. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
Next, we turn to section II.E, concerning the schedule of meetings. With regard to paragraph 12, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that morning meetings should start promptly at 10 a.m. for all plenary meetings and meetings of the Main Committees. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
In the same paragraph, the General Committee recommends to the Assembly that, as a costsaving measure, plenary meetings and meetings of the Main Committees be adjourned by 6 p.m., and that, with the exception of the Special Commemorative Meeting, no meetings be held on weekends. The Committee also recommends to the General Assembly that this costsaving measure should also apply, for the remainder of 1995, to meetings on the calendar of conferences and meetings. May I take it that the General Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
The above-mentioned measures will not apply to the period of the general debate nor to the Special Commemorative Meeting. However, in the light
In paragraph 13, 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 at least 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 this recommendation?
It was so decided.
For that matter, 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 genuinely hope that all delegations will cooperate.
In paragraph 14, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that delegations should be reminded of the utmost importance of punctuality. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
Needless to say, punctuality of delegations in attending meetings can and will contribute enormously to the efficiency of the work of the Assembly and its Committees. In this connection, I should like to assure the Assembly that I shall be in the Chair punctually at the scheduled time, and I urge the Chairmen of the Main Committees to do the same.
In section II.F, concerning the general debate, the General Committee recommends that the general debate begin on Monday, 25 September, and end on Thursday, 12 October 1995. The General Committee also recommends that the list of speakers in the general debate be closed on Wednesday, 27 September, at 6 p.m. May I consider that the General Assembly approves the recommendations contained in paragraph 15?
It was so decided.
In view of the very large number of speakers already inscribed, I urge representatives to take the floor 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 16, the General Committee draws the General Assembly’s attention to a previous decision of the Assembly to prohibit the practice of expressing congratulations inside the General Assembly Hall after a statement has been delivered. The General Committee recommends that this provision should also apply during the fiftieth session. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
The General Committee also 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 podium, before returning to their seats. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
We shall now turn to section II.G. May I take it that the Assembly takes note of the provisions concerning explanations of vote and right of reply contained in paragraph 17?
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 18?
It was so decided.
May I take it that the Assembly takes note of the provisions regarding the length of statements contained in paragraph 19?
It was so decided.
Section II.H deals with records of meetings. In paragraph 20, the General Committee took note of the fact that verbatim records would be provided during the fiftieth session for the 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 concerning transcriptions of the debates of some of the meetings of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee contained in paragraph 20?
It was so decided.
Section II.I concerns concluding statements in the General Assembly and the Main Committees. May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of this section?
It was so decided.
Section II.J concerns resolutions. May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provisions contained in paragraphs 22, 23 and 24?
It was so decided.
Section II.K concerns documentation.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provision relating to reports of the Secretary-General or subsidiary organs contained in paragraph 25?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 26, the General Committee draws the attention of the General Assembly to paragraph 6 of its resolution 48/264, which 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
May I take it that the Assembly takes note of paragraph 26?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 27, 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 had consistently increased in recent years, without any strengthening of resources, thus contributing to serious delays in the issuance of documentation.
In this connection, I urge members of the Assembly to make a special effort during this session, when the Organization faces unprecedented financial constraints, to exercise restraint in making proposals requesting new reports of the Secretary-General, to review with a critical eye the practice of routinely requesting some reports and the possibility of triennializing or deferring some to a later session.
Section II.L refers to questions relating to the programme budget.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provisions contained in paragraphs 28 and 29?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 30 concerning subparagraph 13 (d) of decision 34/401, the General Committee draws the Assembly’s attention to the observations by the Secretary-General that the preparation of a statement of programme budget implications by the Secretary-General may take a few days. In addition, the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions and the Fifth Committee need adequate time to review the programme budget implications of a draft resolution before the latter can be acted on by the Assembly.
The Secretary-General thus considers it desirable that Member States submit proposals involving statements of programme budget implications sufficiently in advance to avoid the cancellation of meetings and the postponement of consideration of items.
It was so decided.
Section II.M concerns observances and commemorative meetings. We turn first to paragraph 31. The General Committee recommends that, allowing for the necessary flexibility and with the exception of the anniversary of the United Nations, the General Assembly should adopt the suggested format for commemorative meetings, including limiting each statement to 15 minutes.
May I take it that the Assembly approves the recommendations contained in paragraph 31?
It was so decided.
May I take it that the Assembly also approves the recommendation contained in paragraph 32 regarding the scheduling of observances and commemorative meetings?
It was so decided.
I now invite the General Assembly to turn to section II.N, which refers to special conferences.
May I take it that the Assembly approves the recommendations referred to in paragraphs 33 and 34?
It was so decided.
In section II.O 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 35 be authorized to meet during the fiftieth session.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
We turn now to section III, which contains observations and proposals on the organization of future sessions of the General Assembly. In paragraph 37, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that it consider whether the rationalization of its
May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendation contained in paragraph 37?
It was so decided.
We turn now to section IV of the report of the General Committee, relating to the adoption of the agenda. It begins at paragraph 38.
I would first recall rule 23 of the rules of procedure, which 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 39, may I consider that it is the wish of the Assembly to direct its Main Committees to review their agenda with a view to streamlining their programme of work as suggested in that paragraph?
I see no objection.
It was so decided.
Again, may I urge members of the Assembly to give careful thought to the suggestion by the Secretary-General to consider deferring to a later session items for which decisions or action are not required during the main part of the present session.
In this respect, Main Committees at the outset should review their respective agendas in order to identify items which require immediate action, items which could be taken up at a later date during the period from January to September 1996, and items which could be usefully deferred to a future session of the General Assembly.
For my part, I shall strive, with your cooperation, to prepare a programme of work and schedule of plenary meetings that will allow us to consider the items in our agenda expeditiously. With this objective in mind, I should like to request that delegations sponsoring
In paragraph 40, the General Committee, with regard to item 20 (c) of the draft agenda, recommends that the General Assembly consider the question of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction as a separate subitem under item 98 (Environment and sustainable development).
May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 41, the General Committee recommends that the consideration of item 93 of the draft agenda (Question of the Malagasy islands of Glorieuses, Juan de Nova, Europa and Bassas da India) should be deferred to the fifty-first session and that the item should 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 42, the General Committee recommends that the consideration of item 94 of the draft agenda (Question of East Timor) should be deferred to the fifty-first session and that the item should 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 43, the General Committee, in connection with item 157 and item 167 of the draft agenda, recommends to the General Assembly the inclusion of an item entitled “Participation of volunteers,
White Helmets', in activities of the United Nations in the field of humanitarian relief, rehabilitation and technical cooperation for development”.
May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
In respect of paragraph 44, the General Committee decided not to recommend the inclusion of item 158.
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 45 of the General Committee’s report (A/50/250), 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 19.
May I remind members that we are dealing only with the question of the inclusion of the items.
May I take it that items 7 to 19 are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
We come now to item 20. May I take it that the item is included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
I now refer to items 21 to 47. May I take it that these items are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
May I take it that items 48 to 56 are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
I now invite members to turn to items 57 to 81 relating to disarmament.
May I take it that these items are included in the agenda?
Now we turn to items 82 to 93.
May I take it that these items are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
Next we come to items 94 to 102, relating to international economic cooperation.
May I take it that these items will be included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
Items 103 to 112 relate to social and humanitarian questions.
Are these items also to be included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
May I take it that items 113 to 138, dealing with administrative and financial questions, are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
We now turn to items 139 to 149. If I hear no objection, I will take it that these items are included in the agenda.
It was so decided.
Item 150 is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union”.
May I take it that this item is included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
Item 151 is entitled “Report of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Genocide and Other Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of Rwanda and Rwandan Citizens Responsible for Genocide and Other Such Violations Committed in the Territory of Neighbouring States between 1 January and 31 December 1994”.
It was so decided.
We turn now to item 152, “Review of the role of the Trusteeship Council”.
May I take it that this item is included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
Next we turn to item 153, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Economic Cooperation Organization”.
May I take it that the Assembly recommends the inclusion of this item?
It was so decided.
Item 154 is entitled “Participation of volunteers, White Helmets', in activities of the United Nations in the field of humanitarian relief, rehabilitation and technical cooperation for development”.
May I take it that the Assembly recommends the inclusion of this item?
It was so decided.
Now we turn to item 155, entitled “Observer status for the Central American Integration System in the General Assembly”.
May I take it that the Assembly decides to include this item in its agenda?
It was so decided.
Item 156 is entitled “Multilingualism”.
May I take it that the Assembly decides to include this item in its agenda?
It was so decided.
Item 157 is entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation”.
It was so decided.
Next we turn to items 158 to 160. May I take it that the Assembly decides to include those items?
It was so decided.
Next we turn to item 161, entitled “Implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development”.
May I take it that the Assembly decides to include this item?
It was so decided.
Item 162 is entitled “Universal Congress on the Panama Canal”.
May I take it that the Assembly decides to include this item?
It was so decided.
Item 163 is entitled “Strengthening of the United Nations system”.
May I take it that the Assembly decides to include this item?
It was so decided.
The last item for inclusion is item 164, entitled “Normalization of the situation concerning South Africa”.
May I take it that the Assembly decides to include item 164?
It was so decided.
We now turn to section V of the Secretary-General’s memorandum (A/BUR/50/1), on the allocation of items.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provisions contained in paragraph 46 of the General Committee’s report (A/50/250)?
The modifications indicated in paragraph 47 are reflected in the proposed allocation. We shall therefore consider them when we come to the relevant items under paragraph 48.
Before we proceed, may I remind members that the item numbers refer to the agenda in paragraph 45 of the report before us, document A/50/250.
I now invite members to turn to the list of items recommended by the General Committee for consideration in plenary meetings.
We turn first to the recommendation in paragraph 47 (a) (i), relating to item 18.
May I take it that the General Assembly adopts that recommendation?
It was so decided.
Next we turn to the recommendation in paragraph 47(a)(ii), which concerns item 48.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
In connection with paragraph 47 (a) (iii), relating to item 55, the General Committee recommends that the General Assembly allocate the item at an appropriate time during the session.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendation?
It was so decided.
We now turn to the recommendation in paragraph 47 (a) (iv) relating to item 150, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter- Parliamentary Union”.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendation? May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendation?
It was so decided.
It was so decided.
We now turn to the recommendation in paragraph 47 (a) (vi) concerning item 152, entitled “Review of the role of the Trusteeship Council”.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendation?
It was so decided.
We now turn to the recommendation in paragraph 47 (a) (vii) relating to item 153, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Economic Cooperation Organization”.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendation?
It was so decided.
Next, we turn to the recommendation in paragraph 47 (a) (viii) concerning item 154, entitled “Participation of volunteers, White Helmets', in activities of the United Nations in the field of humanitarian relief, rehabilitation and technical cooperation for development”.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendation?
It was so decided.
We turn now to the recommendation in paragraph 47 (a) (ix) concerning item 155, entitled “Observer status for the Central American Integration System in the General Assembly”.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendation?
We turn now to the recommendation in paragraph 47 (a) (x) concerning item 156, entitled “Multilingualism”.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendation?
It was so decided.
Now we turn now to the recommendation in paragraph 47 (a) (xi) concerning item 157, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation”.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendation?
It was so decided.
Next, we turn to the recommendation in paragraph 47 (a) (xii) concerning item 161, entitled “Implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development”.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendation?
It was so decided.
Now we turn to the recommendation in paragraph 47 (a) (xiii) relating to item 162, entitled “Universal congress on the Panama Canal”.
May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
We next turn to the recommendation in paragraph 47 (a) (xiv) relating to item 163, entitled “Strengthening of the United Nations system”.
May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
We turn now to the recommendation in paragraph 47 (a) (xv) relating to item 164, entitled “Normalization of the situation concerning South Africa”.
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 48 of the report of the General Committee for consideration directly in plenary meeting?
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 47 (b) relating to item 70.
May I take it that the Assembly approves the recommendation pertaining to item 70?
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 48 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).
May I consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items proposed for the Fourth Committee in paragraph 48 of the report of the General Committee?
It was so decided.
We come now 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 47 (c) concerning item 96 (c), entitled “Sustainable use and conservation of the marine living resources of the high seas”.
It was so decided.
Taking into account the decision just adopted, may I consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items proposed for the Second Committee in paragraph 48 of the report of the General Committee?
It was so decided.
We come now to the list of items which the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Third Committee.
We turn to paragraph 47 (d) (i) relating to item 105 (Social development, including questions relating to the world social situation and to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family).
May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
We turn now to the recommendation in paragraph 47 (d) (ii) relating to item 107, entitled “Advancement of women”.
May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
We turn to the paragraph 47 (d) (iii) relating to item 112 (b), entitled “Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms”.
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 48 of the report of the General Committee?
We now come to the list of items which the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Fifth Committee.
We turn now to paragraph 47 (e) relating to item 118, entitled “Joint Inspection Unit”.
May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
Taking into account the decision just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items to the Fifth Committee as proposed in paragraph 48 of the report of the General Committee?
Lastly, we come to the list of items which the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Sixth Committee.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items to the Sixth Committee proposed in paragraph 48 of the report of the General Committee?
It was so decided.
The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of the first report of the General Committee. I wish to thank the members of the Assembly for their cooperation.
Each Main Committee 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.
The meeting rose at 11.25 a.m.
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