A/52/PV.77 General Assembly

This afternoon the General Assembly will consider the reports of the Second Committee on agenda items 95 to 101 and 12. I request the Rapporteur of the Second Committee, Mr. Rae Kwon Chung of the Republic of Korea, to introduce the reports of the Second Committee in one intervention. Mr. Chung (Republic of Korea), Rapporteur of the Second Committee: I have the honour, as Rapporteur of the Second Committee, to introduce to the General Assembly the reports of that Committee. On 19 September 1997, at its 4th plenary meeting, the General Assembly allocated to the Second Committee eight agenda items: agenda items 12 and 95 to 101. This is reflected in document A/52/252. Today, the Assembly has before it the report of the Second Committee on item 95, entitled “Macroeconomic policy questions”, which is contained in documents A/52/626 and A/52/626/Add.1 to Add.4. Document A/52/626 contains the introduction to the item. In paragraph 14 of document A/52/626/Add.1, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of two draft resolutions under sub-item (a), “Financing of development, including net transfer of resources between developing and developed countries”. Under sub-item (b), entitled “Trade and development”, the Second Committee, in paragraph 14 of document A/52/626/Add.2, recommends the adoption of three draft resolutions. In paragraph 7 of document A/52/626/Add.3, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution under sub-item (c), “Science and technology for development”. In paragraph 7 of document A/52/626/Add.4, submitted under sub-item (d), entitled “External debt crisis and development”, the Committee recommends to the Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution. The General Assembly also has before it the report of the Second Committee on item 96, entitled “Sectoral policy questions”, which is contained in document A/52/627. Paragraph 25 of that document contains one draft resolution and paragraph 26 contains one draft decision recommended for adoption by the Assembly. Under item 97, “Sustainable development and international economic cooperation”, the Assembly has before it the report of the Second Committee, contained in document A/52/628 and Addenda 1 to 9. Document A/52/628 contains the introduction to the item and a list of documents before the Committee. In paragraph 9 of document A/52/628/Add.1, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution under sub-item (a), entitled “Renewal of the dialogue on strengthening Under sub-item (b), entitled “Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s”, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly, in paragraph 9 of document A/52/628/Add.2, the adoption of one draft resolution. In paragraph 8 of document A/52/628/Add.3, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution under sub-item (c), entitled “Population and development”. In paragraph 6 of document A/52/628/Add.4, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution under sub-item (d), entitled “International migration and development, including the convening of a United Nations conference on international migration and development”. In paragraph 9 of document A/52/628/Add.5, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of three draft resolutions under sub-item (e), entitled “Implementation of the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II)”. In paragraph 10 of document A/52/628/Add.6, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of two draft resolutions under sub-item (f), entitled “First United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty”. In paragraph 8 of document A/52/628/Add.7, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution under sub-item (g), entitled “Women in development”. In paragraph 7 of document A/52/628/Add.8, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution under sub-item (h), entitled “Human resources development”. In paragraph 7 of document A/52/628/Add.9, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution under sub-item (i), entitled “Cultural development”. The General Assembly also has before it the report of the Second Committee on item 98, entitled “Environment and sustainable development”, which is contained in documents A/52/629 and addenda 1 to 8. Under sub-item (a), entitled “Implementation of decisions and recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development”, the report contained in document A/52/629/Add.1 indicates that no draft proposals were submitted under this sub-item. Under sub-item (b), entitled “Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa”, the Assembly has before it one draft resolution recommended for adoption, which is contained in paragraph 12 of document A/52/629/Add.2. In paragraph 8 of document A/52/629/Add.3, submitted under sub-item (C), entitled “Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind”, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution. In paragraph 7 of document A/52/629/Add.4, submitted under sub-item (d), entitled “International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction”, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution. In paragraph 8 of the same document, the Second Committee recommends to the Assembly the adoption of one draft decision. In paragraph 6 of document A/52/629/Add.5, submitted under sub-item (e), entitled “Convention on Biological Diversity”, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution. In paragraph 6 of document A/52/629/Add.6, submitted under sub-item (f), entitled “Implementation of the outcome of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States”, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution. In paragraph 10 of document A/52/629/Add.7, submitted under sub-item (g), entitled “Special session for the purpose of an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21”, the Second Committee recommends to the Assembly the adoption of two draft decisions. Under agenda item 99, entitled “Operational activities for development”, the Assembly has before it the report of the Second Committee, contained in document A/52/630. The Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly three draft resolutions, contained in paragraph 19 of that document, and one draft decision, which is contained in paragraph 20. The Assembly also has before it the report of the Second Committee under item 100, entitled “Training and research: United Nations Institute for Training and Research”, which is contained in document A/52/631. Paragraph 10 of that document contains one draft resolution recommended for adoption by the General Assembly. The Assembly has before it document A/52/632, which contains the report of the Second Committee on item 101, entitled “Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources”. One draft resolution is recommended to the Assembly for adoption in paragraph 10 of that report. Finally, the Assembly has before it the report of the Second Committee on item 12, entitled “Report of the Economic and Social Council”, for which the Assembly has before it document A/52/625. Paragraph 20 of that document contains one draft resolution and paragraph 21 contains 5 draft decisions recommended by the Committee for adoption by the Assembly. I should like to inform the General Assembly that, during this session, the Second Committee adopted 30 draft proposals. Before concluding, I should like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the Second Committee for their contribution to the work of the Committee and to thank the Chairman, Mr. Oscar de Rojas, and the two Vice-Chairmen, Mr. Hans-Peter Glanzer and Mr. Adel Abdellatif, for their efforts in successfully completing the work of the Committee. My thanks also go to the members of the Secretariat for their assistance and endeavours. In the reports which are being considered by the plenary of the General Assembly, we should change the following: In the six draft resolutions, to which I will refer to one by one, wherever the phrase “sustained economic growth and sustainable development” appears, the following phrase should be added immediately after it: “in accordance with the relevant General Assembly resolutions and recent United Nations conferences”. I will now indicate in which draft resolutions this should be done. The first draft resolution is draft resolution II, contained in paragraph 14 of document A/52/626/Add.1. It appears on page 10 of the English text. This draft resolution deals with item 95 (a), entitled “Macroeconomic policy questions: Financing of development, including net transfer of resources between developing and developed countries”. The addition should be made in the fifth preambular paragraph. The second draft resolution is the one contained in paragraph 7 of document A/52/626/Add.4, which appears on page 8 of the English text. Additions should be made in the thirteenth preambular paragraph, on page 9; in operative paragraph 2, also on page 9; and in operative paragraph 20, on page 12. This draft resolution deals with agenda item 95 (d), entitled “Macroeconomic policy questions: External debt crisis and development”. The third draft resolution deals with agenda item 96 (a), entitled “Sectoral policy questions: Industrial development cooperation”, and is contained in paragraph 25 of document A/52/627. The phrase appears in the fourth preambular paragraph, on page 15 of the English text. The fifth draft resolution deals with agenda item 97 (g), entitled “Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: Women in development”. The draft resolution is contained in paragraph 8 of document A/52/628/Add.7. The phrase should be added in the third preambular paragraph, which appears on page 6 of the English text. Finally, the sixth draft resolution refers to item 97 (h), entitled “Sustainable development and international economic cooperation: Human resources development”. The draft resolution is contained in paragraph 7 of document A/52/628/Add.8. The phrase appears in the fifth preambular paragraph, on page 5.

Representatives have heard the statement by the representative of Venezuela. It is my understanding that the oral amendments submitted by the representative of Venezuela to six of the draft resolutions before the Assembly this afternoon are acceptable to the General Assembly, and that we can proceed later during this meeting to the adoption of those draft resolutions, as orally amended by the representative of Venezuela. If I hear no objection, we will proceed accordingly.

I should like to inform the members that the representative of Luxembourg has expressed a desire to make a statement in connection with the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 12, entitled “Report of the Economic and Social Council”, which is contained in document A/52/625. May I take it that the General Assembly, bearing in mind rule 66 of the rules of procedure, agrees to discuss that report when the General Assembly takes up agenda item 12? 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 are going to proceed to take decisions in the same manner as was done in the Second Committee. This means that where a recorded vote was taken, we will do the same, unless the Secretariat has been notified otherwise. I should also hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Second Committee.

The Assembly will now consider part I of the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 95, entitled “Macroeconomic policy questions”. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to take note of part I of the report in document A/52/626? It was so decided. (a) Financing of development, including net transfer of resources between developing and developed countries

The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 14 of part II of its report contained in document A/52/626/Add.1. The Assembly will first turn to draft resolution I, entitled “Global partnership for development: high-level international intergovernmental consideration on financing for development”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

Draft resolution II is entitled “Global financial flows and their impact on the developing countries”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution II, as orally amended by the representative of Venezuela?

I shall now call on those representatives who wish to make statements in explanation of position.

My delegation is particularly pleased that the draft resolutions contained in document A/52/626/Add.1, on “Macroeconomic policy questions”, which we have just adopted, represent a further step by the General Assembly towards the implementation of agreements reached. With reference to draft resolution II, adopted as resolution 52/180, however, my delegation would like to underline that all countries can become vulnerable in the course of the liberalization of their external economic and financial regimes, regardless of their stage of development and whether or not they are developed or developing countries. The globalization of financial markets can create new risks of instability, with the potential to aggravate the volatility of short-term capital flows and adversely affect the international financial system. During the past six months, sharp fluctuations in international finance and stock markets have negatively affected the world, and particularly the development process of the developing countries. We have noted that the Bretton Woods institutions have taken the necessary steps to overcome the crisis, but it seems that these steps have had little positive effect. We are very pleased that the General Assembly has already voiced its concerns this year. It is imperative to strengthen multilateral cooperation to offset or prevent any future negative impact on development. Less than a week ago, the World Trade Organization reached agreement on and adopted a finance pact with far-reaching impact. The negotiations, involving 102 countries, sealed a global financial-services pact that will liberalize trillions of dollars' worth of trade in the banking, insurance and brokerage sectors. In this regard, we are fortunate that resolution 52/180 mentions that the promotion of capital account liberalization should be done only in an orderly and flexible manner, so as to enable individual Member countries to tailor their capital account liberalization to the circumstances pertaining to each of their countries. These resolutions are without doubt an example of constructive negotiation and cooperation on the part of all groups and delegations. Although the process was arduous and difficult, all sides ultimately exercised flexibility and displayed a willingness to negotiate and make the necessary compromises in order to reach consensus. As coordinator for this item within the Group of 77, my delegation would like to express its appreciation to the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of the Second Committee, who facilitated the process leading up to adoption of the resolutions. In addition, we would like to express our sincere thanks to the entire membership of the Group of 77 and China for their support and encouragement during the deliberations.

In explaining its position on draft resolution I in document Secondly, my delegation would prefer that the resumed session of the Second Committee be convened as soon as possible. And, thirdly, the success of the work of the ad hoc open-ended working group, which will be convened during the fifty-third session of the General Assembly, will depend to a large extent on the required inputs that will be determined during the two-day resumed session and on the index report of the current themes that the Secretary-General will identify after a careful and thorough examination of all the reports requested. Needless to say, my delegation attaches great importance to the index report referred to in paragraph 5 of the resolution. Allow me also to take this opportunity to congratulate Ambassador Oscar de Rojas of Venezuela for a splendid performance as Chairman of the Second Committee and to express our abiding gratitude for his stewardship of the Committee. We have given him more work in the resolution we have just adopted, but we are confident that he will lead us to a fruitful outcome of the resumed session of the Second Committee.

The United States would like to explain its position on draft resolutions under agenda items 95 (a), 95 (d), 96 (a), 97 (a), 97 (g) and 97 (h). 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. Equitable social development that recognizes empowering the poor to utilize environmental resources sustainably is a necessary foundation for sustainable development. We also recognize that broad-based and sustained economic growth in the context of sustainable development is necessary to sustain social development and social justice.

At the outset, I would like, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, to express our appreciation to Ambassador Oscar de Rojas, Chairman of the Second Committee, and his Bureau for the way they have been guiding the work of the Committee for the last eight weeks, and in particular with respect to the resolution of the matter on which we have just taken action. I wish also to thank you, Mr. President, for the way in which you have guided the work of the General Assembly. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Ambassador Betty King, the new representative of the United States to the Economic and Social Council, and to assure her of our cooperation in furthering the work of that Council — and in particular of the Second Committee. As members may recall the Second Committee failed to conclude its work on Friday, 5 December 1997, owing to lack of agreement between the United States delegation and the Group of 77 and China on six draft resolutions which contained references to the concept of sustained economic growth and sustainable development. This was regrettable to all of us, and forced the Committee to take decisions by votes. However, we are glad that through the diplomatic skills of Mr. Nikolai V. Tchoulkov, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation, we were able to resolve the impasse, which led to the consensus adoption of the six-plus-one resolutions as well as the resolution on desertification. In this context, I would like, on behalf of the Group, to thank Mr. Tchoulkov for his efforts. In spite of the adoption of the six resolutions by consensus, the Group of 77 and China strongly maintain that for any development process to be meaningful, particularly in developing countries, economic growth which is sustained over a period of time is crucial and critical. This requires the support of developed countries in terms of increased additional resources and transfer of appropriate technology. Moreover, it is not always true that sustainable development based on private-sector initiatives should be the driving force towards attaining rapid social development and environmental protection in developing countries. In our view, sustainable development objectives are attainable only if economic growth is sustained in the medium and long term. It is in this context that the Group of 77 and China had a lot of difficulties in accepting the languages proposed by the United States delegation. However, in the spirit of compromise, and following the tradition in our Committee, the Group of 77 and China have accepted the compromise package, as proposed by the facilitator, so that all the resolutions in stalemate could be adopted by consensus. In this connection, the Group of 77 and China would like strongly to reiterate their acceptance of the package at this juncture, which would in no way prejudice future use of the concept in our work.

My delegation wishes to state its position on the six resolutions amended today. We wish to place on record our conviction that the replacement, in the six resolutions adopted in the Second Committee, of the concept of sustained economic growth and sustainable development with a phrase from the medium-term plan for sustained economic growth and sustainable development — “in accordance with the relevant General Assembly resolutions and recent United Nations conferences” — limits that concept. This has been a long-standing position of principle taken by the developing countries. The wording that appears in the medium-term plan was the outcome of difficult negotiations in the Fifth Committee and imposes an interpretation at variance with the concept of sustained economic growth and sustainable development in the context of the aforementioned resolutions. My delegation has nevertheless joined the consensus of the General Assembly, although it recognizes the importance of this in the area of international economic cooperation as a means of mobilizing the commitment and political will of all States in the promotion of development. My delegation requests that this statement be taken as an explanation on the other five resolutions amended here today.

The European Union joined the consensus on the resolution entitled “Global financial flows and their impact on the developing countries”. However, we would like to The European Union wishes this statement to stand as an explanation of vote on the other five resolutions amended by the representative of Venezuela.

We have concluded this stage of our consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 95. (b) Trade and development Report of the Second Committee (Part III) (A/52/626/Add.2)

The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 14 of Part III of its report. The Assembly will first turn to draft resolution I, entitled “Unilateral economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion against developing countries”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Nepal informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]

Draft resolution II is entitled “International trade and development”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

Draft resolution III is entitled “Specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing countries”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution III without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

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?

We turn now to the draft resolution recommended for adoption by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of Part IV of its report. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

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?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of Part V of its report. The draft resolution is entitled “Enhancing international cooperation towards a durable solution to the external debt problem of developing countries”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution, as orally amended by the representative of Venezuela? The draft resolution, as orally amended, was adopted (resolution 52/185).

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?

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of part I of the report of the Second Committee contained in document A/52/628?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 part II of its report, contained in document A/52/628/Add.1. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution, as orally amended by the representative of Venezuela? The draft resolution, as orally amended, was adopted (resolution 52/186).

I give the floor to the representative of Indonesia, who wishes to make a statement in explanation of position.

My delegation would like to express its felicitations to all member countries that actively participated in formulating the resolution on renewal of the dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation, as contained in document A/52/628/Add.1. This resolution not only establishes an important landmark, as we have been advocating for more than three years now, but also demonstrates the determination of the international community to recognize that in promoting development in the vastly changed process of globalization and rapidly growing interdependence, there is no alternative We believe that the much larger spirit of partnership which has been manifested in numerous intergovernmental forums over the past three years will be further strengthened and more broadly embraced when such a dialogue is held in the General Assembly. Such a dialogue is expected to contribute to the efforts to identify a number of key elements required to respond to the challenges and opportunities emanating from the process of globalization — notably, the trends towards closer regional cooperation and integration, growing interdependence, the mutually interdependent link between peace and prosperity, the linkage between the imperatives of the economic and social aspects of promoting sustainable development and the recognition that partnership for development is among the most compelling challenges facing the world community. It is now widely recognized that the trends towards regional integration, interdependence and globalization, while positive in themselves, could also at the same time pose challenges which could have negative effects on developing countries. It is therefore timely and appropriate to launch a continued process of dialogue among all the actors concerned. In the international economic sphere, for example, regional integration needs to be built upon the spirit of mutual interdependence and transparency to prevent any attempt at establishing inward-looking arrangements, leading to closed trading blocs that could be misused as tools for protectionism. Similarly, the growing interdependence among nations exemplified by the increasing reliance of developed countries on developing countries' markets for export growth suggests the need for dialogue to define the rules of the game on a more participatory and democratic basis. We consider the first dialogue at the fifty-second session of the General Assembly to be a critical and necessary step to ensure that the process of fulfilling the commitments to cooperation for development moves forward steadily. In this respect, we believe that preparations for the dialogue should be undertaken well in advance by the President of the General Assembly in order to lead the first of a series of dialogues to a successful conclusion.

We have heard the only speaker in explanation of position. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 97?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of part III of its report, contained in document A/52/628/Add.2. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 97?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of part IV of its report, contained in document A/52/628/Add.3. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 97?

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, contained in document A/52/628/Add.4. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution, entitled “International migration and development”. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 97?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of part VI of its report, contained in document A/52/628/Add.5. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Implementation of the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II)”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

We turn next to draft resolution II, entitled “Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000”, which the Second Committee adopted. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

We shall now turn to draft resolution III, entitled “Follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and the future role of the Commission on Human Settlements”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution III. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 97?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of part VII of its report. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “First United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled “Role of microcredit in the eradication

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (f) of agenda item 97? It was so decided. (g) Women in development Report of the Second Committee (Part VIII) (A/52/628/Add.7)

We turn now to the draft resolution recommended for adoption by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of part VIII of the report. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution, as orally amended by the representative of Venezuela? The draft resolution, as orally amended, was adopted (resolution 52/195).

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (g) of agenda item 97?

We turn now to the draft resolution recommended for adoption by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of part IX of its report. The draft resolution, is entitled “Developing human resources for development”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution, as orally amended by the representative of Venezuela? The draft resolution, as orally amended, was adopted (resolution 52/196).

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (h) of agenda item 97? (i) Cultural development Report of the Second Committee (Part X) (A/52/628/Add.9)

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of part X of its report. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (i) of agenda item 97 and of agenda item 97 as a whole?

We shall first consider part I of the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 98, document A/52/629. 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 98?

We now turn to the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 2 of part IX of its report, document A/52/629/Add.8. The draft decision is entitled “Report of the United Nations Environment Programme”. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to adopt the draft decision?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to take note of this report?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 98?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 12 of part III of its report. As the Secretariat has been notified that no separate vote is requested on this draft resolution in the plenary, may I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution without a vote?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 98?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of part IV of its report.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 98?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of part V of its report, contained in document A/52/629/Add.4, and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 8 of the same report. We turn first to the draft resolution, entitled “International cooperation to reduce the impact of the El Niño phenomenon”, which the Second Committee adopted. May I consider that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?

We turn now to the draft decision, entitled “Reports relating to the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction”. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?

I now call on the representative of Ecuador, who wishes to make a statement in explanation of position.

My delegation wishes to express its satisfaction at the adoption of the resolution on international cooperation to reduce the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, which chiefly affects the coastal countries of the Pacific Ocean, since the resolution reflects the The adoption of this resolution, in the framework of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, is a timely contribution on the part of the United Nations that will make it possible to reinforce the coordinated efforts of States and of the bodies and organizations of the United Nations system to put together a concerted international strategy to tackle the negative effects of this natural phenomenon. In particular, my delegation wishes to highlight the establishment of the Inter-agency Task Force, whose work will be especially important in discharging the mandates that we have established by adopting this resolution. At the same time, I wish to thank all delegations for their valuable cooperation throughout our negotiations leading to agreement on the text of this resolution. Those negotiations took place in a climate of partnership and mutual understanding. We are certain that this cooperation will continue in the future, and my delegation undertakes to participate actively in the follow-up to this important resolution. Lastly, allow me to pay particular tribute to the United Nations Development Programme, which has provided Ecuador with important assistance in redressing the effects of El Niño, which in recent days has been causing serious damage in broad areas of Ecuadorian territory.

We have heard the only speaker in explanation of position. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 98?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of part VI of its report, contained in document A/52/629/Add.5. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (e) of agenda item 98?

The Assembly will now consider Part VII of the report of the Second Committee on sub-item (f) of agenda item 98, entitled “Implementation of the outcome of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States” (document A/52/629/Add.6). The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of part VII of its report, contained in document A/52/629/Add.6. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (f) of agenda item 98?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft decisions recommended by the The Second Committee adopted draft decision I, entitled “Implementation and follow-up to the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, including the outcome of the nineteenth special session of the General Assembly for the purpose of an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21”. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Second Committee adopted draft decision II, entitled “Progress in the implementation of conventions related to sustainable development”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (g) of agenda item 98 and of agenda item 98 as a whole?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 19 of its report contained in document A/52/630 and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 20 of the same report. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Operational activities for development of the United Nations”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I.

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Southern African Development Community”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution III, entitled “Economic and technical cooperation among developing countries”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

We turn now to the draft decision, entitled “Documents relating to operational activities for development”. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 99?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report contained in document A/52/631. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 100?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report contained in document A/52/632. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Nepal informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour; the delegation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo had intended to abstain.]

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 101?

The Assembly will first take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 25 of its report contained We turn first to the draft resolution contained in the report of the Second Committee, entitled “Industrial development cooperation: Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution, as orally amended by the representative of Venezuela? The draft resolution, as orally amended, was adopted (resolution 52/208).

We turn now to the draft decision, entitled “Documents relating to sectoral policy questions”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?

the Assembly will next consider the draft resolution contained in document A/52/L.70, entitled “Business and development”. I give the floor to the representative of Venezuela to introduce the draft resolution.

I should like to introduce the draft resolution contained in document A/52/L.70. The draft is not new to the members of this Assembly, particularly those who took part in the debates in the Second Committee, because the text before the Assembly, which my country has the honour to sponsor, is in fact a consensus text that was discussed and negotiated at length in the Second Committee under the guidance of Vice-Chairman Adel Abdellatif. Mr. Abdellatif presented this same text to the Committee for consideration on the last day of our work, but at that time the Committee decided not to take action on it. That is why today I have the honour to introduce the same text to the plenary of the General Assembly for consideration. I should like once again to express, through you, Mr. President, my thanks for the excellent work done by Mr. Abdellatif in arriving at this consensus text. As this will be the last statement that I will be making in plenary, I should also like in particular to thank the delegation of the Russian Federation, which provided decisive help in reaching the agreements that we have confirmed here this afternoon. I should like to thank you, Mr. President, for your own mediation on our behalf in recent days, in particular yesterday. This encouraged us and enabled us to get where we are today. Finally, I should like to thank all the delegations that worked so hard in a spirit of great cooperation, enabling us to achieve these results.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/52/L.70. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt the draft resolution?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 96?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 20 of its report and on five draft decisions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 21 of the same report. I shall put the recommendations of the Second Committee to the Assembly one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their votes or positions. We turn first to the draft resolution entitled “Report of the Committee on Development Planning”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?

We will now turn to the five draft decisions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 21 of its report. Draft decision I is entitled “Graduation from the list of least developed countries”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision I?

Draft decision II is entitled “Revision of the General Regulations of the World Food Programme”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision II?

Draft decision III is entitled “Report of the Council of the United Nations University”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision III?

Draft decision IV is entitled “Documents relating to the report of the Economic and Social Council”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision IV?

Draft decision V is entitled “Biennial programme of work of the Second Committee for 1998-1999”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision V?

In accordance with the decision taken at the beginning of this meeting, I now give the floor to the representative of Luxembourg.

I have the honour to take the floor on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union — Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia — and the associated country Cyprus, as well as the European Free Trade Association country, member of the European Economic Area, Iceland, align themselves with this statement. The General Assembly has just adopted the final report of the Second Committee. We wish to take this opportunity to make an evaluation, at the level of the General Assembly, of the proceedings of the Second Committee, since the European Union did not speak at the close of those proceedings. The European Union is of the opinion that we can only address macroeconomic and development questions effectively through consensus. We are pleased that a compromise was finally found to allow us to adopt almost all reports by consensus. We would, however, like to flag our concerns with regard to the latest developments within the Second Committee, which was obliged to vote on a certain number of resolutions other than those for which a vote is normally required. We consider that it should have been possible to reach compromises within the Committee. We are particularly grateful for the efforts of the Bureau of the Second Committee, as well as those of the delegation of the Russian Federation and the President of the General Assembly, to try to reach consensus on all points. Allow me also to make some brief remarks regarding the organization of the work of the Second Committee. The European Union welcomes the organization by the Chairman of the Second Committee, in accordance with resolution A/50/227, of the round tables and panel discussions in which first-rank guests took part, in particular those which brought together representatives from the Second and Third Committees. Holding such events as close as possible to the consideration of the relevant point should allow delegations to draw the greatest possible benefit. It would be worth reflecting on the best way of The European Union would like to insist on the need to maintain self-discipline in the work of the Second Committee in order to guarantee that it be finished within the necessary time limits. The work of the Second Committee cannot take place without a firmer approach with regard to the organization and management of the progress of our sessions. The experience of the past two years has in fact clearly shown in this regard how important it is that member States and the Bureau respect deadlines for the submission of draft resolutions. The European Union welcomes the chance that we have had to discuss with our partners the aims which we hope to achieve through various resolutions before entering into a paragraph-by-paragraph reading. We hope that a similar approach can be adopted systematically for an increasing number of resolutions in the coming years, including before the formal of submission of draft resolutions or even before the official start of the work of the Committees. The European Union considers it important not to lose sight of the substance and added value of the different resolutions submitted by the Second Committee, for on this hangs to a large extent the credibility of the United Nations in the economic, social and related areas. The possibilities offered by combining different resolutions and increasing the number of so-called omnibus resolutions should be further explored. We regret the recent tendency to introduce separate resolutions on subjects that require an integrated and overall approach. It is essential that delegations have sufficient time after the debates to consider the various draft resolutions adequately. In this context, we applaud the initiative taken by the Group of 77 to circulate, in advance, tables giving details of all forthcoming informal meetings. It is important that we continue to rationalize the work of the Second Committee, including through a regular examination of the periodicity of agenda points. In conclusion, the European Union would like to thank all delegations for their cooperation. Our thanks go also to all the members of the Bureau of the Second

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?

From this podium, I would like to commend the Second Committee for the very important work it has undertaken at this and at previous sessions, not to mention under my chairmanship of the Second Committee exactly 10 years ago. I think that the Committee at this session has made a very remarkable contribution to the process of consensus-making, which is a feature of this session of the General Assembly. Thanks to cooperation among many delegations — the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation was mentioned a few times — the Group of 77 and the United States delegation, as well as to the entire membership, a consensus was reached on very important resolutions which the General Assembly has just adopted. This is a very important contribution to the overall activities of the General Assembly, especially on important issues pertaining to economic development. I should also like to take this opportunity to commend Ambassador Rojas for his chairmanship of the Second Committee. I have maintained almost daily contact with him on various issues and his activity has resulted in today's adoption of all the resolutions and decisions of the Second Committee.