A/53/PV.91 General Assembly

This morning, the General Assembly will consider the reports of the Second Committee on agenda items 91 to 98 and 12. I request the Rapporteur of the Second Committee, Mr. Uladzimir Gerus of Belarus, to introduce the reports of the Second Committee in one intervention. Mr. Gerus (Belarus), Rapporteur of the Second Committee: It is my honour to introduce the reports of the Second Committee to the General Assembly. I take pleasure first in introducing the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 12, entitled “Report of the Economic and Social Council”, which the Assembly has before it in document A/53/605. Paragraph 18 of that document contains three draft resolutions, and paragraph 19 contains two draft decisions recommended by the Committee for adoption by the Assembly. The Assembly also has before it the report of the Second Committee on item 91, entitled “Macroeconomic policy questions”, in document A/53/606 and addenda 1 to 5. Document A/53/606 contains the introduction to the item. The report on sub-item (a), “Trade and development”, is contained in document A/53/606/Add.1. Paragraph 10 of that document contains two draft resolutions, and paragraph 11 contains one draft decision recommended by the Committee for adoption by the Assembly. Under sub-item (b), entitled “Financing of development, including net transfer of resources between developing and developed countries”, the Second Committee, in paragraph 10 of document A/53/606/Add.2, recommends the adoption of two draft resolutions, and in paragraph 11 the adoption of one draft decision. In paragraph 7 of document A/53/606/Add.3, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution under sub-item (c), “Commodities”. I would like to bring to the attention of the Assembly a small correction to operative paragraph 24 of the draft resolution contained in paragraph 7 of document A/53/606/Add.4, submitted under sub-item (d), “External debt crisis and development”. In operative paragraph 24, on line 4, the word “including” should be inserted after the word “resources”. With this small correction, the Committee recommends to the Assembly the adoption of this draft resolution. In paragraph 6 of document A/53/606/Add.5, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution which is not related The General Assembly also has before it the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 92, entitled “Sectoral policy questions”, which is contained in document A/53/607. Paragraph 14 of that document contains one draft resolution under sub-item (a), “Business and development”, and one draft resolution under sub-item (b), “Industrial development cooperation”, which the Committee recommends for adoption by the Assembly. Under agenda item 93, “Sustainable development and international economic cooperation”, the Assembly has before it the report of the Second Committee contained in document A/53/608 and addenda 1 to 7. Document A/53/608 contains the introduction to the item and a list of documents before the Committee. In paragraph 6 of document A/53/608/Add.1, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution under sub-item (a), “Implementation of and follow-up to major consensus agreements on development”. Under sub-item (b), entitled “Integration of the economies in transition into the world economy”, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly, in paragraph 5 of document A/53/608/Add.2, the adoption of one draft resolution. In paragraph 10 of document A/53/608/Add.3, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution, and in paragraph 11, the adoption of one draft decision under sub-item (c), “Implementation of the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II)”. Under sub-item (d), “Renewal of the dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership”, in paragraph 9 of document A/53/608/Add.4, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution, and in paragraph 10 of the same document, the adoption of one draft decision. In paragraph 5 of document A/53/608/Add.5, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution under sub-item (e), “Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s”. In paragraph 5 of document A/53/608/Add.7, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution under sub-item (g), “Cultural development”. The General Assembly also has before it the report of the Second Committee on item 94, entitled “Environment and sustainable development”, which is contained in documents A/53/609 and Addenda 1 to 6. Document A/53/609 contains the introduction to the item and a list of documents before the Committee. Under sub-item (a), entitled “Implementation of 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”, the Second Committee, in paragraph 6 of document A/53/609/Add.1, recommends the adoption of one draft resolution. Under sub-item (b), entitled “Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind”, the Assembly has before it document A/53/609/Add.2, which contains, in paragraph 3, one draft decision recommended for adoption. In paragraph 6 of document A/53/609/Add.3, submitted under sub-item (c), 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 6 of document A/53/609/Add.4, submitted under sub-item (d), entitled “Convention on Biological Diversity”, the Second Committee recommends In paragraph 7 of document A/53/609/Add.5, submitted under sub-item (e), entitled “Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa”, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft resolution. In paragraph 18 of document A/53/609/Add.6, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of three draft resolutions which are not related to a specific sub-item. In paragraph 19 of the same document, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of one draft decision. Under agenda item 95, entitled “Operational activities for development”, the Assembly has before it the report of the Second Committee contained in document A/53/610. I should like to bring to the attention of the General Assembly three corrections to be made to this document. First, in the third line of the first preambular paragraph of draft resolution I, the word “and” should be deleted. In the eighth line of paragraph 16 of draft resolution I, “board” should read “boards”. In the second line of paragraph 22 of draft resolution I, “Nations” should read “Nations'”. With those corrections, the Second Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of two draft resolutions contained in paragraph 13 and one draft decision contained in paragraph 14 of document A/53/610. The Assembly also has before it the report of the Second Committee under agenda item 96, entitled “Training and research”, which is contained in document A/53/611. Paragraph 14 of that document contains one draft resolution under sub-item (a), “United Nations University”; and one draft resolution under sub-item (b), “United Nations Institute for Training and Research”, which are recommended for adoption by the General Assembly. The Assembly also has before it document A/53/612, which contains the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 97, 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”. Paragraph 11 contains one draft resolution, which was adopted by the Second Committee by a recorded vote and is recommended to the Assembly for adoption. I should like to inform the General Assembly that, during this session, the Second Committee adopted 36 draft substantive proposals. These proposals should be considered to be significant contributions of the Second Committee to the process of revitalization of the United Nations activities in the economic and environmental fields. The Committee tried to promote the establishment of favourable conditions for the sustainable development of all nations of the world, developed and developing, economies in transition, small island States and landlocked countries. We have come to agreement on 32 draft resolutions. Now 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. Bagher Asadi, and the three Vice- Chairmen, Mr. David Prendergast of Jamaica, Mr. Burak Özügergin of Turkey and Mr. Odyek Agona of Uganda, 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 endurance. I have the honour to submit the reports of the Second Committee to the General Assembly for consideration.

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 States 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.” 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 in advance. I should also hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote the recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Second Committee.

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee contained in document A/53/606?

We now turn to the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of its report contained in document A/53/606/Add.5. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution, entitled “Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence”. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to do the same?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report and on one The Assembly will turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “International trade and development”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

Draft resolution II is entitled “Transit environment in the landlocked States in Central Asia and their transit developing neighbours”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

We turn now to the draft decision, entitled “Documents relating to trade and development”. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision as recommended by the Second Committee?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 91?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 of the same report. The Assembly will first turn to draft resolution I, entitled “The financial crisis and its impact on growth and development, especially in the developing countries”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

Draft resolution II is entitled “High- level international intergovernmental consideration of financing for development”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?

We turn now to the draft decision, entitled “Documents relating to the financing of development”. May I take it that the General 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 sub-item (b) of agenda item 91?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. 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 (c) of agenda item 91?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 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 corrected by the Rapporteur?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (d) of agenda item 91? It was so decided.

May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 91 as a whole?

The Assembly will now take a decision on two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 14 of its report. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Action against corruption and bribery in international commercial transactions”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution I?

We next turn to draft resolution II, entitled “Industrial development cooperation”. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution II?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 92?

May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee as contained in document A/53/608?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution, entitled “Implementation of the commitments and policies agreed upon in the Declaration on International Economic Cooperation, in particular the Revitalization of Economic Growth and Development of the Developing Countries, and implementation of the International Development Strategy for the Fourth United Nations Development Decade”. 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 (a) of agenda item 93?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 5 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 (b) of agenda item 93?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 of the same report. We turn first to the draft resolution, entitled “Special session of the General Assembly for an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of the Habitat Agenda”. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

I now invite representatives to turn to the draft decision, entitled “Report of the Secretary- General on the assessment of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements”. The Second Committee adopted the draft decision. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub- item (c) of agenda item 93?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 9 of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of the same report. We turn first to the draft resolution, entitled “Renewal of the dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership”.

We shall now turn to the draft decision, entitled “Documents relating to renewal of the dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership”. The Second Committee adopted the draft decision. 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 (d) of agenda item 93?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 5 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 (e) of agenda item 93?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 10 of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 of the same report. We turn first to the draft resolution, entitled “Implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development”, as orally corrected by the Rapporteur. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution, as orally corrected by the Rapporteur? The draft resolution, as orally corrected, was adopted (resolution 53/183).

We shall now turn to the draft decision, entitled “Commemoration of the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations Population Fund”. The Second Committee adopted the draft decision. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (f) of agenda item 93. (g) Cultural development Report of the Second Committee (A/53/608/Add.7)

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 5 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 the General Assembly wishes to take note of the report of the Second Committee on agenda item 94 contained in document A/53/609?

We now turn to the draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 18 of its report contained in document 53/609/Add.6 and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 19 of the same report. The Second Committee adopted draft resolution I, entitled “International cooperation to reduce the impact of the El Niño phenomenon”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to do the same?

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled “International institutional arrangements related to environment and development”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to do the same?

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution III, entitled “Report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to do the same? May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to adopt the draft decision as recommended by the Second Committee? (a) Implementation of 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 Report of the Second Committee (A/53/609/Add.1)

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The draft resolution is entitled “Implementation of and follow-up to the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and the nineteenth special session of the General Assembly”. 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 Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub- item (a) of agenda item 94?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 3 of its report. The draft decision, entitled “Report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change”, was adopted by the Second Committee.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 94?

I will now call on those representatives who wish to make statements in explanation of position before action is taken on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of its report.

At the outset, I wish to thank the Rapporteur of the Second Committee for his hard work and for his reports to the General Assembly. The convening next year of a special session to review the implementation of the Barbados Conference is of extreme importance to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and indeed to all small island developing States. For this reason, my delegation is extremely disappointed that the Second Committee could not find an equitable solution to the issue of the representation of those States which are not Members of the United Nations. As the draft resolution is currently drafted, these States will be able to be present only as observers, even though they are independent and sovereign States and did participate as full members in the Barbados Conference itself. My delegation sees this as further evidence of the increasing marginalization of small island developing States, and we deeply regret that the General Assembly is about to endorse this state of affairs. My delegation has regretfully decided to accept the consensus which has been forced on us by a minority in the Committee for reasons that we believe were unrelated to the particular draft resolution. We have been forced to My delegation will work closely with the delegations of the small island developing States affected by the situation so that their participation in the special session and in its preparatory process will be more meaningful than that which has been envisaged by the small minority.

Australia is pleased to have been a sponsor of the draft resolution on the implementation of the outcome of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. We wish, however, to register our disappointment that the draft resolution was not able to ensure the full participation of small island developing States that are not Members of the United Nations in the special session review of the Barbados Programme of Action, despite great efforts by several fellow sponsors to find a solution, which we greatly appreciate. We would nonetheless request that all will be done to facilitate the participation of small island developing States that are not United Nations Members to the fullest extent possible to ensure a successful review.

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (c) of agenda item 94. (d) Convention on Biological Diversity Report of the Second Committee (A/53/609/Add.4)

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 6 of its report (A/53/609/Add.4). The Second Committee adopted the draft resolution. 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 sub-item (d) of agenda item 94?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 7 of its report (A/53/609/Add.5). The draft resolution was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly too wishes to adopt 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 94?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 13 of its report (A/53/610) and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 14 of the same report. We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “Triennial policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system”, as orally corrected by the Rapporteur.

Draft resolution II, entitled “Preparations for the special session of the General Assembly in the year 2001 to review the achievement of the goals of the World Summit for Children”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I take it that the Assembly too wishes to adopt draft resolution II?

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 95?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 14 of its report (A/53/611). Draft resolution I, entitled “United Nations University”, was adopted by the Second Committee. May I consider that the Assembly too wishes 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 take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 11 of its report (A/53/612). A recorded vote has been requested.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 97?

The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 14 of its report (A/53/613) and on the draft decision recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 15 of the same report. I call on the representative of Bangladesh, who wishes to speak in explanation of position before action is taken on these texts. The preference of the Bangladesh delegation would have been to appropriately adjust the text of the draft decision recommended in paragraph 15 of document A/53/613 to take this into account. However, owing to time constraints, we went along with the decision to recommend the draft decision to the Assembly. At the same time, however, we would like the General Assembly to take note both of documents A/53/223 and A/53/223/Add.1 and of document A/C.2/53/7.

We turn first to draft resolution I, entitled “International Year of Microcredit, 2005”. Draft resolution I was adopted by the Second Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled “Implementation of the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?

We turn now to the draft decision, entitled “Report of the Secretary-General on the role of microcredit in the eradication of poverty”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision as recommended by the Second Committee?

The Assembly will now proceed to take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 18 of its report and on the two draft decisions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 19 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 draft resolution I, entitled “Proclamation of international years”, which the Second Committee adopted. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do likewise?

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution II, entitled “Proclamation of 2002 as the International Year of Ecotourism”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The Second Committee adopted draft resolution III, entitled “Public administration

We will now turn to the two draft decisions recommended by the Second Committee in paragraph 19 of its report. Draft decision I 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 I?

Draft decision II is entitled “Biennial programme of work of the Second Committee for 1999-2000”. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision II?

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?

The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the Second Committee before it.