A/50/PV.96 General Assembly

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 1995 — Session 50, Meeting 96 — New York — UN Document ↗

The meeting was called to order at 10.40 a.m.
Vote: A/RES/50/96 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (100)
Vote: A/RES/50/129 Recorded Vote
Show country votes
✓ Yes (126)

Reports of the Second Committee

The President #19347
This morning the Assembly will consider the reports of the Second Committee on agenda items 94, 95 (a) to (k), 96 (a), (b) and (d) to (f), 97 to 102, and 12. I request the Rapporteur of the Second Committee to introduce the reports of the Second Committee in one intervention. Mr. Zoubi (Jordan), Rapporteur of the Second Committee: I have the honour to present to the General Assembly for its consideration the following reports of the Second Committee. Under agenda item 94, “Macroeconomic policy questions”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 20 of document A/50/616 the adoption of three draft resolutions and in paragraph 21 the adoption of one draft decision. Document A/50/617 contains the introduction to agenda item 95, “Sustainable development and international economic cooperation”. I would like to make two small corrections to paragraph 3 of the English text of document A/50/617. In the sixth line, the words “and 36th” should be replaced by “to 37th”. Also, in the following line, the words “16 November” should read “16 and 17 November” and in the eighth line “A/C.2/50/SR.30-36” should read “A/C.2/50/SR.30-37”. Under agenda item 95 (a), “Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: trade and development”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 21 of document A/50/617/Add.1 the adoption of four draft resolutions, and in paragraph 22 the adoption of one draft decision. Under agenda item 95 (b), “Sustainable development and international economic development: human settlements”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 6 of document A/50/617/Add.2 the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 95 (c), “Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: United Nations Conference on Human Settlements”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 9 of document A/50/617/Add.3 the adoption of one draft resolution and in paragraph 10 the adoption of one draft decision. Under agenda item 95 (d), “Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: science and technology for development”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 11 of document A/50/617/Add.4 the adoption of two draft resolutions. Under agenda item 95 (f), “Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: women in development”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 7 of document A/50/617/Add.6 the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 95 (g), “Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: human resources development”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 6 of document A/50/617/Add.7 the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 95 (h), “Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: business and development”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 7 of document A/50/617/Add.8 the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 95 (i), “Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: international cooperation for the eradication of poverty in developing countries”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 8 of document A/50/617/Add.9 the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 95 (j), “Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: United Nations initiative on opportunity and participation”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 7 of document A/50/617/Add.10 the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 95 (k), “Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: food and sustainable agriculture”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 7 of document A/50/617/Add.11 the adoption of one draft resolution. Under the chapeau of agenda item 95, “Sustainable development and international economic cooperation”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 8 of document A/50/617/Add.12 the adoption of one draft resolution and in paragraph 9 the adoption of one draft decision. Under agenda item 96 (a), “Environment and sustainable development: implementation of decisions and recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 20 of document A/50/618/Add.1, the adoption of three draft resolutions and in paragraph 21 the adoption of one draft decision. Under agenda item 96 (b), “Environment and sustainable development: desertification and drought”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 8 of document A/50/618/Add.2 the adoption of one draft resolution and in paragraph 9 the adoption of two draft decisions. Under agenda item 96 (d), “Environment and sustainable development: protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 7 of document A/50/618/Add.3 the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 96 (e), “Environment and sustainable development: implementation of the outcome of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 6 of document A/50/618/Add.4 the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 96 (f), “Environment and sustainable development: International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 11 of document A/50/618/Add.5 the adoption of two draft resolutions and in paragraph 12 the adoption of one draft decision. Under the chapeau of agenda item 96, “Environment and sustainable development”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 7 of document A/50/618/Add.6 the adoption of one draft resolution and in paragraph 8, the adoption of one draft decision. Under agenda item 97, “Operational activities for development”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 17 of document A/50/619 the adoption of three draft resolutions and in paragraph 18 the adoption of one draft decision. Document A/50/621 contains the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 99, “Agenda for development”. The Committee took no action under this item. Under agenda item 100, “Renewal of the dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 10 of document A/50/622 the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 101, “International migration and development, including the convening of a United Nations conference on international migration and development”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 9 of document A/50/623 the adoption of one draft resolution. In connection with this report, I should like to make two small corrections to paragraph 7. The symbols of the documents cited in that paragraph should refer to the fiftieth session of the General Assembly and should therefore read “A/C.2/50/L.12” and “A/C.2/50/L.26”. Under agenda item 102, “Implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development”, the Second Committee recommends in paragraph 10 of document A/50/624 the adoption of one draft resolution. Under agenda item 12, “Report of the Economic and Social Council”, the General Assembly has before it Part II of the report of the Second Committee, contained in document A/50/615/Add.1. In paragraph 26 of that report the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of five draft resolutions and in paragraph 27 the adoption of two draft decisions. Under this item, the Assembly also has before it document A/50/615/Add.2, in paragraph 4 of which the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft decision. I should like to inform the General Assembly that during this session the Second Committee adopted 42 draft proposals, all of which except two were adopted by consensus. I should like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the Second Committee for their contribution to
The President #19348
If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the Second Committee that are before it today.

(a) Trade and development Report of the Second Committee (Part II) (A/50/617/Add.1)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

(d) Science and technology for development Report of the Second Committee (Part V) (A/50/617/Add.4)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

97.  Operational activities for development Report of the Second Committee (A/50/619)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus

99.  Agenda for development Report of the Second Committee (A/50/621)

Vote: A/50/622 Consensus

45.  The situation in Central America: procedures for the establishment of a firm and lasting peace and progress in fashioning a region of peace, freedom, democracy and development Report of the Secretary-General (A/50/499) Note by the Secretary-General (A/50/482)

Vote: 50/132 Consensus

Support by the United Nations system of the efforts of Governments to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies Report of the Secretary-General (A/50/332 and Corr.1)

Vote: 50/133 Consensus
It was so decided.

96.  Environment and sustainable development Report of the Second Committee (Parts I and VII) (A/50/618 and A/50/618/Add.6)

Vote: A/50/618 Consensus

12.  Report of the Economic and Social Council Report of the Second Committee (Parts I and III) (A/50/615/Add.1 and Add.2)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
The President #19349
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote or position. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Second Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind members that under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401 the General Assembly agreed that “When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, i.e., either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee”. May I also remind delegations that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the Second Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we shall proceed to take decisions in the same manner as in the Committee. This means that where recorded votes were taken we will do the same. I would also hope that the Assembly may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Second Committee. Macroeconomic policy questions Report of the Second Committee (A/50/616)
Vote: 32/413 Consensus

(b) Desertification and drought Report of the Second Committee (Part III) (A/50/618/Add.2)

Vote: 31/37 Consensus
The President #19350
The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 20 of its report and on the draft decision recommended in paragraph 21. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Global financial integration: challenges and opportunities”. Draft resolution I was adopted by the Second Committee. May I consider that the Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?
Vote: 31/37 Consensus
Vote: 32/413 Recorded Vote
✓ 100   ✗ 30   22 abs.
Vote: 32/413 Consensus

20.  Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance (b) Special economic assistance to individual countries or regions Reports of the Secretary-General (A/50/286, A/50/292, A/50/447, A/50/763) Draft resolutions (A/50/L.41/Rev.1, A/50/L.54, A/50/L.56/Rev.1) Report of the Secretary-General (A/50/418)

Vote: A/50/L.41/Rev.1 Consensus
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 50/91).
Vote: 32/413 Consensus

34.  United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa Report of the Secretary-General (A/50/750)

Vote: 50/131 Consensus
The President #19351
Draft resolution II is entitled “Enhancing international cooperation towards a durable solution to the external debt problem of developing countries”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 50/92).
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
Vote: A/50/L.54 Consensus
The President #19352
Draft resolution III is entitled “Sources for the financing of development”. Draft resolution III was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
Vote: 31/37 Consensus
Vote: A/50/618/Add.3 Consensus
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 50/93).
The President #19353
We turn now to the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee for adoption in paragraph 21 of document A/50/616. The draft decision is entitled “Documents relating to macroeconomic policy questions”.
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
Vote: A/50/L.56/Rev.1 Consensus
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #19354
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 94?
It was so decided.
Vote: 31/169 Consensus
Vote: 50/134 Consensus

95.  Sustainable development and international economic cooperation Report of the Second Committee (Parts I and XIII) (A/50/617 and A/50/617/Add.12)

The President #19355
The Assembly will first consider Part I of the report of the Second Committee (A/50/617). May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of Part I of the report of the Second Committee?
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
It was so decided.
The President #19356
We now turn to Part XIII of the report of the Second Committee (A/50/617/Add.12). The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of Part XIII of its report and on the draft decision recommended in paragraph 9. The Assembly will first turn to the draft resolution, “Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa”. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/94).
The President #19357
The Assembly will now turn to the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of Part XIII of its report. The draft decision is entitled “Report of the Secretary-General on the May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #19358
The Assembly will now take a decision on the four draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 21 of Part II of its report and on the draft decision recommended in paragraph 22. The Assembly will first turn to draft resolution I, entitled “International trade and development”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 50/95).
The President #19359
Draft resolution II is entitled “Economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion against developing countries”. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Against: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Slovakia, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Gabon, Georgia, Greece, Kazakstan, Malta, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Spain, Tajikistan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey [Subsequently, the delegation of Cape Verde and the United Republic of Tanzania informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
Draft resolution II was adopted by 100 votes to 30, with 22 abstentions (resolution 50/96).
The President #19360
Draft resolution III is entitled “Specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of land-locked developing countries”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution III without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 50/97).
The President #19361
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Ninth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 50/98).
The President #19362
We now turn to the draft decision contained in paragraph 22 of the report, which the Second Committee recommended for adoption by the General Assembly. The draft decision is entitled “Note by the Secretary- General on negotiations on an international code of conduct on transfer of technology”. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #19363
I now call on the representative of Spain, who wishes to make a statement in explanation of position.
Ms. Menendez ESP Spain [Spanish] #19364
I have the honour of speaking on behalf of the European Union following the adoption of draft resolution III in document A/50/617/Add.1, entitled, “Specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of land-locked developing countries”. The European Union joined the consensus on this resolution, but wishes to make it clear that we do not believe that geographical conditions in themselves can be the basis for creating a category of countries. The European Union therefore reiterates that it does not recognize the category of “land-locked developing country” as a separate and distinct category in the context of the United Nations.
The President #19365
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 95? (b) Human settlements Report of the Second Committee (Part III) (A/50/617/Add.2) The draft resolution, entitled “Commission on Human Settlements”, was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
It was so decided.
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/99).
The President #19366
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 95?
It was so decided.

(c) United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) Report of the Second Committee (Part IV) (A/50/617/Add.3)

The President #19367
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of Part IV of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10. We turn first to the draft resolution contained in paragraph 9 of Part IV of the report. The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/100).
The President #19368
We now turn to the draft decision contained in paragraph 10 of Part IV of the report. The draft decision is entitled “Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the regional commissions on the preparations for the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) at the regional level”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The President #19369
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 95?
It was so decided.
The President #19370
We turn now to the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee for adoption in paragraph 11 of Part V of its report. Draft resolution I is entitled “Science and technology for development”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 50/101).
The President #19371
Draft resolution II is entitled “United Nations system support for science and technology in Africa”. Draft resolution II was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 50/102).
The President #19372
I now call on the representative of the United States, who wishes to make a statement in explanation of position.
Mr. Dugan USA United States of America #19373
The United States delegation wishes to register a reservation on operative paragraph 4 of the draft resolution entitled “Science and technology for development”, contained on page 9 of document A/50/617/Add.40. The United States delegation wishes to reaffirm that whenever the term “sustained economic growth” appears in the draft resolution, it is the understanding of the United “We are deeply convinced that economic development, social development and environmental protection are interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development, which is the framework for our efforts to achieve a higher quality of life for all people ....” (A/CONF.l66/9, annex I)
The President #19374
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 95?
It was so decided.

(e) Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s Report of the Second Committee (Part VI) (A/50/617/Add.5)

The President #19375
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of Part VI of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10. We turn first to the draft resolution, entitled “Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s”. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/103).
The President #19376
The draft decision is entitled “Report of the Secretary-General on the mid-term global review of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The President #19377
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 95?
It was so decided.

(f) Women in development Report of the Second Committee (Part VII) (A/50/617/Add.6)

The President #19378
We turn now to the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee for adoption in paragraph 7 of Part VII of its report. The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/104).
The President #19379
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to make statements in explanation of position.
Ms. Menendez ESP Spain [Spanish] #19380
The European Union joined in the consensus on the draft resolution in document A/50/617/Add.6, entitled “Women in development”, despite the fact that there is no reference in the draft resolution to paragraph 51 of the Platform for Action adopted at Beijing. We would have liked to see such a reference included in the preamble to the draft resolution.
Mr. Cabactulan PHL Philippines #19381
The Group of 77 and China welcomes the adoption of the draft resolution entitled “Women in development”. We believe that the sixth preambular paragraph deals with the question of overall discrimination against women, including discriminatory practices against women on the issue of inheritance. While we recognize the continued discrimination against women, we believe that the issue of inheritance should not be addressed out of context. We believe also that the Beijing Conference struck a balance and a formulation that should be acceptable to all.
It was so decided.

(g) Human resources development Report of the Second Committee (Part VIII) (A/50/617/Add.7)

The President #19382
We turn now to the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee for adoption in paragraph 6 of Part VIII of its report. The draft resolution is entitled “Developing human resources for development”. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/105).
The President #19383
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (g) of agenda item 95?
It was so decided.

(h) Business and development Report of the Second Committee (Part IX) (A/50/617/Add.8)

The President #19384
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee for adoption in paragraph 7 of Part IX of its report. The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/106).
It was so decided.

(i) International cooperation for the eradication of poverty in developing countries Report of the Second Committee (Part X) (A/50/617/Add.9)

The President #19385
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of Part X of its report. The draft resolution is entitled “Observance of the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty and proclamation of the First United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty”. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/107).
The President #19386
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (i) of agenda item 95?
It was so decided.

(j) United Nations initiative on opportunity and participation Report of the Second Committee (Part XI) (A/50/617/Add.10)

The President #19387
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of Part XI of its report. The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/108).
It was so decided.

(k) Food and sustainable agricultural development Report of the Second Committee (Part XII) (A/50/617/Add.11)

The President #19388
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of Part XII of its report. The draft resolution, entitled “World Food Summit”, was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/109).
The President #19389
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (k) of agenda item 95 and of agenda item 95 as a whole?
It was so decided.
The President #19390
We shall first consider Part I of the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 96 (A/50/618). May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of Part I of the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 96?
It was so decided.
The President #19391
We now turn to Part VII of the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 96 (A/50/618/Add.6). The Assembly will turn first to the draft resolution entitled “Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme”. The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/110).
The President #19392
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of the report. The draft decision is entitled “Report of the Secretary- General on products harmful to health and the environment”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision? (a) Implementation of decisions and recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development Report of the Second Committee (Part II) (A/50/618/Add.1) Report of the Fifth Committee (A/50/831)
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #19393
The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 20 of Part II of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 21. The Assembly will turn first to the three draft resolutions contained in paragraph 20 of Part II of its report. Draft resolution I is entitled “Convention on Biological Diversity”. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 50/111).
The President #19394
Draft resolution II is entitled “Elaboration of an international convention to combat desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa”. Draft resolution II was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 50/112).
The President #19395
Draft resolution III is entitled “Special session for the purpose of an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21”. The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of this draft resolution is contained in document A/50/831. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution III without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 50/113).
The President #19396
We turn now to the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee for adoption in paragraph 21 of Part II of its report. The draft decision is entitled “Notes by the Secretary-General on the elaboration of an international convention to combat desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The draft decision was adopted.
It was so decided.
The President #19397
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of Part III of its report and on the two draft decisions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9. We turn first to the draft resolution contained in paragraph 8 of Part III of the report. The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/114).
The President #19398
We turn now to the two draft decisions recommended for adoption by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of Part II of its report. Draft decision I is entitled “Report of the Secretary- General on observance of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: implementation of General Assembly resolution 49/115”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision I?
Draft decision I was adopted.
The President #19399
Draft decision II is entitled “Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme on the overall implementation of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification, including implementation in the Sudano-Sahelian region”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision II?
The President #19400
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 96? (d) Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind Report of the Second Committee (Part IV) (A/50/618/Add.3) Report of the Fifth Committee (A/50/823)
It was so decided.
The President #19401
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of Part IV of its report. The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/50/823. The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/115).
The President #19402
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 96?
It was so decided.

(e) Implementation of the outcome of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States Report of the Second Committee (Part V) (A/50/618/Add.4)

The President #19403
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of Part V of its report. The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote.
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/116).
The President #19404
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 96?
It was so decided.

(f) International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction Report of the Second Committee (Part VI) (A/50/618/Add.5)

The President #19405
The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolutions A and B, recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 of Part VI of its report, and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 12. We turn first to draft resolution A, contained in paragraph 11 of Part VI of the report. It is entitled “International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction”. Draft resolution A was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution A was adopted (resolution 117 A).
The President #19406
We turn now to draft resolution B, also on the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction. Draft resolution B was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution B was adopted (resolution 50/117 B).
Mr. Dlamini SWZ Eswatini #19407
I apologize for interrupting the President while he is performing his noble task here in the Assembly. However, my delegation would like to place it on record that we do not have the English versions of some of the documents on which the President is asking the
The President #19408
I have made inquiries and have been informed that all the documents being considered were made available prior to this meeting.
Mr. Dlamini SWZ Eswatini #19409
I regret to say that, despite that confirmation from the President, I have been to the documents desk several times and have been told that the English set of documents is incomplete. The documents officer told me that they are expecting the missing documents. I can produce the officer to whom I talked. It is not the habit of my delegation to make any statement that is untrue. I have given a paper to the documents officer, who has been here, at our seat, which lists the documents we do not have, and, in addition, I have personally gone to the documents desk. I have a few of the documents, but I do not have the lot.
The President #19410
I have been informed by the Secretariat that they were convinced that all the relevant documents had been distributed to all delegations. Perhaps there has been a mistake that affected only the delegation of Swaziland. May I crave the indulgence of the representative of Swaziland in allowing us to proceed with the meeting.
Mr. Dlamini SWZ Eswatini #19411
I wish to crave the indulgence of the President. Our purpose in drawing the President’s attention to this situation was not in any way to hinder the progress of the Assembly but merely to place it on record that we do not have the English versions of some of the documents and that we have fully confirmed and reconfirmed this. With due respect to the presidency, my delegation will yield to the President’s persuasiveness, but I must insist that the matter I have raised be placed on the record.
The President #19412
I thank the representative of Swaziland. We turn now to the draft decision entitled “Report of the Secretary-General concerning the core functions of the secretariat of the International Decade for Natural May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #19413
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (f) of agenda item 96 and of agenda item 96 as a whole?
It was so decided.
The President #19414
The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 17 of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 18. We turn first to the three draft resolutions in paragraph 17 of the report. Draft resolution I, “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Southern African Development Community”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 50/118).
The President #19415
Draft resolution II, “Economic and technical cooperation among developing countries and a United Nations conference on South-South cooperation”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 50/119).
The President #19416
Draft resolution III, “Triennial policy review of operational activities for development of the May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 50/120).
The President #19417
We now turn to the draft decision contained in paragraph 18 of document A/50/619. It is entitled “Documents relating to operational activities for development”. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #19418
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 97? It was so decided.

98.  Training and Research: United Nations Institute For Training and Research Report of the Second Committee (A/50/620)

The President #19419
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. The draft resolution, entitled “United Nations Institute for Training and Research”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/121).
The President #19420
I call on the representative of Spain, who wishes to make a statement in explanation of vote.
Ms. Menendez ESP Spain on behalf of European Union [Spanish] #19421
I am speaking on behalf of the European Union. We sincerely hope that next year, with further progress made in the Institute’s restructuring, serious consideration will be given to examining this item biennially.
The President #19422
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 98?
It was so decided.
The President #19423
In paragraph 4, of its report, the Second Committee informs the Assembly that no action was taken by the Committee under agenda item 99. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to take note of the report of the Second Committee and to conclude its consideration of agenda item 99? It was so decided. Renewal of the dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership Report of the Second Committee (A/50/622)
The President #19424
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report. The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/122).
The President #19425
I now call on the representative of Indonesia, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote.
Mr. Poernomo IDN Indonesia #19426
My delegation is particularly enthusiastic about speaking now because we know that, with the agreement reached at this session of the General Assembly to renew the dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership, a further step has been taken towards the implementation of the resolution on this subject. The resolution, which calls, inter alia, for the holding of a high-level dialogue for a period of two days at the fifty-first session of the General Assembly on the theme of the social and economic impact of globalization and interdependence and their policy implications, constitutes an important landmark that we have been advocating over the past two years. The adoption of this resolution demonstrates the international community’s determination to recognize that in promoting development in these vastly changed times, with rapidly growing interdependence, there is no alternative to a constructive dialogue based on the imperatives of mutual interest and benefits, shared responsibilities and genuine interdependence. We believe that the much-lauded spirit of partnership, which has been manifested in numerous intergovernmental forums over the past two years, will be further strengthened and more broadly embraced when such a dialogue is held in the General Assembly. I would like to stress one further point: the linkages between the work of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on the Agenda for Development, on the one hand, and the dialogue, on the other, as stated in the resolution. Obviously, the dialogue and the Agenda should be mutually supportive. Indeed, the renewal of such a dialogue could well serve as a critical instrument for implementing the Agenda for Development; and the Agenda should greatly help by providing a supportive framework for conducting the dialogue within the United Nations. As such, the dialogue would also help to bolster the central role of the General Assembly in advancing international economic cooperation for development. Having said that, I would only like to add that my delegation looks forward to the first high-level dialogue, which is to take place at the fifty-first session of the General Assembly. Thus, we would like to express our readiness to actively participate in the dialogue, to which we attach great importance, especially in the pursuit of our common objective of improving the well-being of all mankind.
The President #19427
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 100? It was so decided.

101.  International migration and development, including the convening of a United Nations conference on international migration and development Report of the Second Committee (A/50/623)

The President #19428
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/123).
The President #19429
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 101?
It was so decided.

102.  Implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development Report of the Second Committee (A/50/624)

The President #19430
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report. The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/124).
The President #19431
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 102?
It was so decided.
The President #19432
I now draw members’ attention to Parts II and III of the report of the Second Committee on I shall put the recommendations of the Second Committee to the Assembly one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will have the opportunity to explain their vote or position.
The President #19433
We first turn to part II of the report (A/50/615/Add.1). The Assembly has before it five draft resolutions contained in paragraph 26 of Part II of the report and two draft decisions contained in paragraph 27. The Assembly will first take a decision on the five draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 26 of Part II of its report. Draft resolution I, entitled “Water supply and sanitation”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 50/126).
The President #19434
Draft resolution II, entitled “Target for World Food Programme pledges for the period 1997-1998”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 50/127).
The President #19435
Draft resolution III, entitled “Preventive action and intensification of the struggle against malaria in developing countries, particularly in Africa”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 50/128).
The President #19436
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli settlements on the Palestinian people in the Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, occupied since 1967, and on the Arab population of the occupied Syrian Golan”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The President #19437
Draft resolution V, entitled “Communication for development programmes in the United Nations system”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution V was adopted (resolution 50/130).
The President #19438
We shall now turn to the two draft decisions contained in paragraph 27 of document A/50/615/Add.1. Draft decision I is entitled “United Nations Population Fund: institutional arrangements”. Draft decision I was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft decision I was adopted.
The President #19439
Draft decision II, entitled “Documents relating to the report of the Economic and Social Council”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft decision II was adopted.
The President #19440
We now turn to Part III of the report (A/50/615/Add.2). The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 4 of Part III of its report. The draft decision is entitled “Biennial programme of work of the Second Committee for 1996-1997”.
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #19441
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of the chapters of the report of the Economic and Social Council allocated to the Second Committee?
It was so decided.
The President #19442
The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Second Committee.
The President #19443
I now call on the representative of Norway, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa, to introduce draft resolution A/50/L.65.
Mr. Biørn Lian NOR Norway #19444
In my capacity as Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa (UNETPSA), I am pleased to introduce the report of the Secretary-General contained in document A/50/750 and the draft resolution contained in document A/50/L.65. I have been informed that since the draft resolution was printed, some additional countries have indicated that they will co-sponsor it. These countries are: Guyana, the United Republic of Tanzania and the United States of America. This wide range of co-sponsoring countries from different regional groups reflects the broad support of the international community for the important work of this Programme. I would like to point out at the outset that this will be the final report submitted to the General Assembly. As soon as its recommendations are endorsed and the attendant resolution adopted by the General Assembly, UNETPSA will cease to be considered as a General Assembly item. Allow me therefore to provide a brief historical overview of the Programme. Over the last 27 years since its inception, UNETPSA has trained close to 10,000 individuals from southern Africa. The Programme can be proud of having trained individuals who later assumed leadership roles such as a prime minister and a foreign minister and other cabinet ministers in some of these countries upon independence. In the case of South Africa, several national ministerial cabinet posts and provincial premierships are being held by individuals who have benefited from the Programme. Some of these UNETPSA graduates were trained in the front-line States and others received their training abroad. Other graduates are senior administrators of universities and technikons. Still others could be found managing the local and regional peace committees and structures which were established under the National Peace Accord. In this capacity, they provided essential cooperation during the United Nations preventive diplomacy and peace-building period preceding the April 1994 elections. When the Programme was established, it called for training in the sectors which had previously been neglected for the disadvantaged majority. These sectors include agriculture, law, engineering, agronomy, public administration, education, business and industrial management. UNETPSA has indeed remained true to these sectors as priority fields of study. The Programme has also recently stressed a multi-pronged approach to capacity- and institution-building of the historically disadvantaged institutions and non-governmental organizations by training individuals at these institutions and by upgrading academic staff, particularly in mathematics and sciences, as well as the administrative staff of the universities and technikons concerned. Particular attention is given to the role of women in development. I wish now to refer to the report before the Assembly. It will be noted that chapters I through IV introduce the Programme and its activities during the period 1 September 1994 through 31 August 1995. Chapter V contains the conclusions and recommendations regarding the future of The recommendations are encapsulated in operative paragraphs 2 through 8 of the draft resolution now before us. For the purpose of integrating the goals of the programme with the overall multilateral development programnmes of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the draft resolution calls for the transfer of the management of UNETPSA and its funds as well as the decision-making authority to UNDP as soon as possible, but no later than 1 May 1996. The draft resolution also calls for the extension under UNDP of the present mandate for a period of three to five years, while retaining the Programme as an identifiable entity. The Programme should continue with its focus on human- resource development, with the objective of capacity- and institution-building among the historically disadvantaged sectors of the population. Allow me to express, on behalf of the Advisory Committee, our appreciation to those Member States, organizations and institutions which have contributed to the success of the Programme. I would also like to express, again on behalf of the Advisory Committee, our gratitude for the persistent efforts of, and the valuable assistance given to the Programme by, the Secretary- General and the UNETPSA staff. Particular appreciation should be expressed to the Officer-in-Charge, Ms. Angela Masithela. I am confident that those staff in the Department of Development Support and Management Services (DDSMS) whose posts will be abolished as a result of this administrative streamlining will be given priority in the ensuing redeployment. Finally, the Advisory Committee is pleased that, as a result of the transfer of UNETPSA to UNDP, its mandate will be completed and the Committee will be discontinued. As South Africa strives to overcome the legacy of decades of apartheid, I would like to underscore the importance of the continued provision of assistance by the international community. The magnitude and urgency of the training and educational needs facing the country are enormous. Many challenges must still be faced before our vision of the new South Africa can become a reality. Prominent among these challenges is the need to provide sustained opportunities to enable the disadvantaged young
Mr. Zulueta ESP Spain on behalf of European Union [Spanish] #19445
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The European Union has noted with satisfaction the report of the Secretary-General (A/50/750) of 7 December 1995 on the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa. That report underlines the important contribution the Programme has made in recent years towards fostering the educational needs of disadvantaged students from South Africa, and towards overcoming the legacy of apartheid. Furthermore, the report defines the proper framework in which the goals of the Programme can be integrated into the overall context of multilateral development programmes, with a view, in particular, to meeting the urgent need to contribute effectively to the immense human-resources requirements of the new, non-racial and democratic South Africa. States members of the European Union have contributed substantially over the years to the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa. The European Union considers that the need to improve the educational system is a long-term development priority and would therefore best be addressed through the continued assistance of the international community and United Nations agencies now operating in the new South Africa. The European Union welcomes draft resolution A/50/L.65, on the Programme, which we hope will be adopted by consensus today, and we commend the decision taken by the Advisory Committee on the future of the Programme, which the European Union believes is a step in the right direction. The European Union attaches particular importance to the decision to transfer, no later than 1 May 1996, the management of the Programme and its funds and of the decision-making authority to the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Executive Board of UNDP. We also note the decision to endorse the activities of the Programme and to request UNDP to continue to place the primary focus of the Programme on human resource development aimed at We wish to pay tribute on this occasion to the staff of the Programme and to the Advisory Committee, in particular to its Chairman, for their outstanding work over the years. It is the sincere wish of the European Union that the valuable contribution that the Programme has made to improve the economic and social development of southern Africa through the educational sector will continue within UNDP.
Mr. Mbatha ZAF South Africa on behalf of Government of South Africa #19446
On behalf of the Government of South Africa, I wish to thank all donor countries that have over the years rendered valuable assistance to the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa. We also wish to express our gratitude to the Secretary-General, the Advisory Board of the Programme and all organizations, agencies and individuals that have cooperated with and made contributions to the success of the Programme. Indeed, the Programme has made considerable progress; hundreds of students in southern Africa have benefitted from the Programme. With the birth of a new South Africa, the newly established Department of Education took the first step to deal at the national level with education and training: the Government made education free and compulsory for the first 10 years of schooling. The Reconstruction and Development Programme of the Government of National Unity provides for education and training components being built into many of its projects, such as public works and youth programmes. In the endeavour to restructure education and to eliminate the distortions and inadequacies in that area, the assistance that the United Nations Programme has provided was and still is indispensable. Therefore, we welcome the decision to extend the Trust Fund as an identifiable entity within and under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In this way those still being supported by the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa will be able to finish their studies by the year 1999. We support the call for the continuation of fund-raising and the mobilization of resources in order to further the aims and objectives of the Programme. In this connection we would hope that donors will be as generous in their support for the Programme as they have been in past years. Swaziland, a State that is a neighbour of the countries that were affected whenever efforts to liberalize southern Africa were undertaken, feels it should congratulate the founders of the Trust Fund and express our heartfelt gratitude to them. It is our hope that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), having displayed its abilities in a number of development fields, will pick up where the United Nations Educational and Training Programme has left off. It is our desire and our prayer that the countries that have benefitted will continue the uncompleted tasks before them. Drought has continued to militate against their efforts, and they still need to be assisted in upgrading their educational aims. It is our hope that, through the UNDP, stress will be placed on some areas not hitherto covered in the curricula, which are necessary to upgrade the development of the countries that have benefitted from the Educational Programme and that will continue to benefit under UNDP. We pray that greater efforts will be made to investigate thoroughly the question of whether all problems in the educational field have been addressed through the Fund.
The President #19447
We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item. We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/50/L.65. I should like to announce that since the introduction of draft resolution A/50/L.65 Mozambique and Namibia have become sponsors. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution A/50/L.65?
Draft resolution A/50/L.65 was adopted (resolution 50/131).
The President #19448
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 34?
The President #19449
Members will recall that the Assembly concluded the debate on agenda item 45 at its 54th plenary meeting, on 9 November 1995. We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/50/L.17/Rev.1. The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution is contained in document A/50/826. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/50/L.17/Rev.1. I should like to announce that, since the introduction of the draft resolution, the following countries have become co-sponsors: Brazil and Peru. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/50/L.17/Rev.1?
Draft resolution A/50/L.17/Rev.1 was adopted (resolution 50/132).
The President #19450
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 45?
It was so decided.
The President #19451
Members will recall that the Assembly concluded its debate on agenda item 41 at its 56th plenary meeting, on 13 November 1995. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/50/L.19/Rev.1. I should like to announce that the following countries have become co-sponsors of this draft resolution: Belize, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Panama and Sweden. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/50/L.19/Rev.1?
Draft resolution A/50/L.19/Rev.1 was adopted (resolution 50/133).
The President #19452
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 41?
It was so decided.
The President #19453
I now call on the representative of Gabon to introduce draft resolution A/50/L.56/Rev.1.
Mr. Dangue Rewaka GAB Gabon [French] #19454
It is a pleasure and honour for me to introduce draft resolution A/50/L.56/Rev.1, entitled “Assistance for the reconstruction of Madagascar following the natural disasters of 1994”, on behalf of the following sponsors: Benin, Burkina Faso, Congo, Cuba, France, Gabon, India, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mongolia and South Africa. As members will recall, several cyclones, accompanied by tremendous floods, struck Madagascar in 1993 and particularly in 1994, leading to the destruction of most of the island and ruining several years of effort which that country had devoted to development. In view of the scope of the damage, which was far beyond Madagascar’s means to repair, its Government had to seek aid from the international community. While recognizing the efforts made, it should be said that — as emphasized by the Secretary-General in his report in document A/50/292 — the resources mobilized remain generally inadequate. Madagascar is still fragile and vulnerable to the impact of natural disasters. Because the situation has changed little, the draft resolution before us recalls resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council to provide emergency assistance to Madagascar to enable it to engage in the efforts necessary for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the areas affected by cyclones and floods. The operative part of the draft resolution urges all States and governmental and non-governmental organizations, together with United Nations organizations, programmes and specialized agencies, to increase their support to the Government of Madagascar. It also requests the Secretary-General to continue his efforts to mobilize the necessary resources to achieve these objectives.
The President #19455
I now call on the representative of Spain to introduce draft resolution A/50/L.54.
Mr. Aguirre de Carcer ESP Spain on behalf of European Union [Spanish] #19456
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The peace process in the Middle East, which was initiated at the Madrid Peace Conference in October 1991, has made new and historic progress with the agreements signed directly by the parties. Most recently, the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, signed on 28 September 1995 — and this was witnessed by the European Union — has already had tangible results. The European Union has constantly and unreservedly supported and participated in the peace process. If the peace process is to be successful, political negotiation must be accompanied by economic and social progress and a reduction in the disparities existing among the peoples of the region. On the bilateral as well as on the multilateral level, the European Union has provided support to the process, and we intend to continue to encourage the parties to take on greater responsibilities in their efforts to contribute to the economic development of the region as a whole. In the meantime, assistance to the Palestinian people continues to be an urgent need. It is essential for the Palestinian people to see each day in a concrete way the positive effects on their lives of the political changes taking place. As the main contributor of assistance to the Palestinian people the European Union reaffirms its commitment to continuing to provide economic and financial support and its willingness to study the most effective ways to meet the needs of the Palestinian people. We appeal to other States that have contributed in the past to increase their support, and to those that have not done so in the past to contribute to social and economic assistance to the Palestinian people. For this reason, the European Union is pleased to introduce and to co-sponsor draft resolution A/50/L.54, entitled “Assistance to the Palestinian people”. We shall be particularly pleased if, as a result of the new spirit of cooperation, the draft resolution is adopted by consensus. Under sub-item (b), the Assembly will first take a decision on draft resolution A/50/L.41/Rev.1, entitled “Assistance for humanitarian relief and the economic and social rehabilitation of Somalia”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/50/L.41/Rev.1?
Draft resolution A/50/L.41/Rev.1 was adopted (resolution 50/58 G).
The President #19457
The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/50/L.54, entitled “Assistance to the Palestinian people”. I should like to announce that since the introduction of draft resolution A/50/L.54 India has become a co-sponsor. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/50/L.54?
Draft resolution A/50/L.54 was adopted (resolution 50/58 H).
The President #19458
The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/50/L.56/Rev.1 entitled “Assistance for the reconstruction of Madagascar following the natural disasters of 1994”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/50/L.56/Rev.1?
Draft resolution A/50/L.56/Rev.1 was adopted (resolution 50/58 I).
The President #19459
Under sub-item (c), the Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/50/L.26/Rev.1, entitled “Strengthening of international cooperation and coordination of efforts to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/50/L.26/Rev.1? May I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Draft resolution A/50/L.26/Rev.1 was adopted (resolution 50/134)
Mr. Eliashiv ISR Israel #19460
For many years now, Israel has been cooperating fully with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as well as with other international organizations, in implementing programmes aimed at improving the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In this respect, my delegation believes that the United Nations Special Coordinator in the West Bank and Gaza can play a significant role in achieving the social and economic goals set out by these organizations. It is our view that the United Nations should increase its efforts and funding to assist the Palestinians in the territories, thus facilitating the successful implementation of the Declaration of Principles. Israel fully supports and encourages extending economic, financial and technical assistance to the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. We welcome the concerted efforts of Member States, international financial institutions, and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to aid in the development of the West Bank and Gaza. We have made a genuine effort to reach a consensus on draft resolution A/50/L.54, which addresses the important issue of assistance to the Palestinian people. We believe that economic and social progress can be advanced only through cooperation. Economic development and improved living conditions in the territories will encourage peace and stability in the region. However, Israel’s participation in the consensus on the draft resolution should not be construed as implying any position regarding the present status of the territories referred to as the “occupied territories”. Additionally, our support does not carry any implication regarding Israel’s position concerning the permanent status of those territories, which, in accordance with the Declaration of Principles signed on 13 September 1993, is a matter to be negotiated between Israel and the PLO. The Declaration of Principles and the subsequent Agreements signed by Israel and the PLO, as well as the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty are momentous breakthroughs that open new vistas for economic and social progress, cooperation, prosperity and peace for our region.
Mr. Amer Libyan Arab Jamahariya [Arabic] #19461
My delegation has joined the general consensus on the adoption of the draft resolution contained in document A/50/L.54 concerning assistance to the Palestinian people. However, my delegation would like to put on record the fact that this position of ours cannot mean in any manner whatsoever recognition of Israel or welcome for the peace process now taking place in the Middle East or to any references to that peace process in the text.
Mr. Hadji Karim Djabbary IRN Islamic Republic of Iran #19462
My delegation joined in the consensus on draft resolution A/50/L.54. However, we would like to express our reservations regarding those paragraphs of the resolution which might be construed as recognition of Israel.
The President #19463
We have heard the last speaker in explanation of position. In accordance with General Assembly resolutions 3237 (XXIX) of 22 November 1974 and 43/177 of 15 December 1988, I now call on the observer of Palestine.
Mrs. Barghouti PSE State of Palestine [Arabic] #19464
The observer delegation of Palestine wishes to take this opportunity to extend thanks to all those delegations which co-sponsored the draft resolution contained in document A/50/L.54 entitled “Assistance to the Palestinian people” and for the unanimous adoption of the resolution. This undoubtedly reflects the continuing support by the international community to the Palestinian people, in response to its urgent needs and particularly in this transitional period in our struggle. I should also like to take this opportunity to express our thanks and appreciation to the member States of the European Union and to India for co-sponsoring this draft resolution. Their position and solidarity with the Palestinian people in its just struggle to obtain its
The President #19465
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 20?
It was so decided.

Programme of work

The President #19466
I should like to inform members that on Thursday, 21 December 1995, in the afternoon, the General Assembly will take up — in addition to the items announced in today’s Journal — agenda item 43, “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity”, for the purpose of taking action on draft resolution A/50/L.51/Rev.1, which will become available in the course of the day.
The meeting rose at 12.55 p.m.