A/56/PV.3 General Assembly
The meeting was called to order at 11.05 a.m.
Organization of work of the fifty-sixth regular session of the General Assembly, adoption of the agenda and allocation of items First report of the General Committee (A/55/250)
The Assembly will consider the first report of the General Committee, which has been circulated in document A/56/250. I will refer to specific sections and paragraphs of the report which contain recommendations for consideration by the Assembly.
The General Committee, in paragraph 2 of its report, draws the attention of the General Assembly to the provisions reproduced in annexes V, VI, VII and VIII of its rules of procedure. May I take it that the Assembly takes note of those provisions?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 3, the General Committee took note of annex I, entitled “Guidelines on the rationalization of the agenda of the General Assembly”, to General Assembly resolution 48/264 of 29 July 1994, “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly”; the annex to General Assembly resolution 51/241 of 31 July 1997, entitled “Strengthening of the United Nations system”; and paragraph 1 of resolution 52/163 of 15 December 1997,
entitled “Amendment to rule 103 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly”.
The provisions of the resolutions are reflected in the document before the General Assembly under the relevant sections.
In paragraph 4, the General Committee took note of the reports of the Secretary-General on the implementation of General Assembly resolution 48/264 (document A/52/856) and resolution 51/241 (document A/52/855).
We shall now examine section II of the report, which deals with the organization of the session.
In section II.A, paragraph 6, the General Committee took note of paragraph 20 of the annex to resolution 55/285 of 7 September 2001, dealing with each Vice-President of the Assembly designating, at the beginning of each session, a liaison person for the duration of the session.
We next turn to section II B, dealing with the rationalization of work of the General Assembly.
In paragraph 8, the General Committee draws the attention of the General Assembly to paragraph 5 of the annex to resolution 45/45, recommending that certain Main Committees meet in sequential order. May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of paragraph 8?
It was so decided.
Before proceeding to paragraph 9, I should like to draw the attention of
members first to paragraph 18, dealing with the dates of the general debate.
In this connection, I should like to inform members that I have consulted with the Chairmen of regional groups, and it was understood that the general debate, which was envisaged to take place from Monday, 24 September, to Friday, 5 October 2001, will be scheduled for a later date.
The new dates for the general debate will be decided as soon as possible, in close consultation with the host country and Member States.
We now turn to paragraph 9, in which the General Committee draws the attention of the Assembly to paragraphs 30, 31 and 36 of the annex to resolution 51/241, providing that the Main Committees should hold organizational meetings before the commencement of the general debate and meet in substantive sessions only after the end of the general debate; and that the First and Fourth Committees should meet, to the extent feasible, in a sequential manner.
However, taking into account that the general debate will be scheduled for a later date, I should like to inform members that the Chairmen and the Secretaries of the Main Committees are currently reorganizing their schedule of work plan in order to be able to start their work earlier. Some Main Committees may start their work as early as next week.
May I take it that the General Assembly agrees that the Main Committees should meet in substantive sessions as soon as possible at the fifty-sixth session?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 10, the General Committee took note of paragraph 1 of General Assembly resolution 52/163, which amends the first sentence of rule 103 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly to read:
“Each Main Committee shall elect a Chairman, three Vice-Chairmen and a Rapporteur.”
In paragraph 11, the General Committee took note of the fact that measures introduced to reduce costs relating to overtime would be strictly enforced.
We now turn to Section II.C, on the opening date of the session.
In paragraph 12, the General Committee draws the attention of the General Assembly to resolution 55/14 of 3 November 2000, by which the General Assembly amended rule 1 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly to read as follows:
“The General Assembly shall meet every year in regular session commencing on the Tuesday following the second Monday in September.”
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of paragraph 12?
It was so decided.
We turn next to section II.D, on the closing date of the fifty-sixth session.
In paragraph 13, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that the fifty- sixth session should recess not later than Tuesday, 11 December 2001, and close on Monday, 9 September 2002.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 14, the General Committee also recommends to the Assembly that the First Committee should complete its work by Friday, 9 November; the Special Political and Decolonization (Fourth) Committee by Friday, 16 November; the Sixth Committee by Friday, 23 November; the Third Committee by Wednesday, 28 November; and the Second and the Fifth Committees by Friday, 7 December 2001.
May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
We next turn to section II.E, concerning the schedule of meetings.
With regard to paragraph 15, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that morning meetings should start at 10 a.m. promptly for all plenary meetings and meetings of the Main Committees.
May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
I should like to remind members that, for the afternoon meetings, I intend to begin promptly at 3 p.m.
In the same paragraph, the General Committee recommends to the Assembly that, as a cost-saving measure, plenary meetings and meetings of the Main Committees, including informals, be adjourned by 6 p.m. and that no meetings be held on weekends. The Committee further recommends to the General Assembly that this cost-saving measure should also apply, for the remainder of 2001, to meetings listed on the calendar of conferences and meetings of the United Nations.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 16, the General Committee recommends that, in order to avoid the late start of meetings, the General Assembly should waive the requirement of the presence of at least one third of the members to declare a plenary meeting open and permit the debate to proceed, and of at least one quarter of the members to declare a meeting of a Main Committee open and permit the debate to proceed.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
In this connection, I should like to endorse strongly the practical suggestion made at previous sessions for each delegation to designate someone to be present at the scheduled time. I genuinely hope that all delegations will cooperate.
In paragraph 17, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that delegations should be reminded of the utmost importance of punctuality.
May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
In that regard, I should like to impress upon members that a 10-minute delay for the start of every meeting at Headquarters would result in a waste of approximately $800,000 a year. I therefore
sincerely hope that all delegations will make a special effort to cooperate in this regard, so that all meetings can start promptly at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The next section — section II.F — deals with the general debate.
Members will recall that paragraph 18 was dealt with earlier. In paragraph 19, the General Committee took note of the fact that the general debate will take place in accordance with the relevant provision of the annex to resolution 51/241.
In paragraph 20, the Committee draws the attention of the Assembly to paragraph 21 of the annex to resolution 51/241, whereby the General Assembly indicated a voluntary guideline of up to 20 minutes for each statement in the general debate.
May I take it that the Assembly takes note of paragraph 20?
It was so decided.
In this regard, I should like to remind delegations of the request by the Secretariat that speakers deliver their speeches at a normal speed within the given time frame at all times to allow for proper interpretation.
In paragraph 21, the General Committee draws the General Assembly’s attention to the decision taken previously by the Assembly to strongly discourage the practice of expressing congratulations inside the General Assembly Hall after a speech has been delivered. The General Committee recommends that this provision should also apply during the fifty-sixth session.
May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
The General Committee also recommends to the General Assembly that, after delivering their statements, speakers in the general debate should leave the General Assembly Hall through room GA-200, located behind the podium, before returning to their seats.
May I take it that the Assembly also approves this recommendation?
It was so decided.
We shall now turn to section II.G.
May I take it that the Assembly takes note of the provisions concerning explanations of vote and right of reply contained in paragraph 22?
It was so decided.
May I further take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to limit points of order to five minutes, as recommended in paragraph 23?
I see no objection.
It was so decided.
In paragraph 24, in connection with the length of statements, the General Committee draws the attention of the General Assembly to paragraph 22 of the annex to resolution 51/241, which provides that outside the general debate, there shall be a 15-minute time limit in plenary meetings and in the Main Committees.
In paragraph 25, the Committee draws the attention of the Assembly to paragraph 23 of the report (A/52/855) of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 51/241, which states that since in plenary meetings the length of statements in debates other than the general debate averages eight minutes, the General Assembly may wish to review the recommendation contained in paragraph 22 of the annex to resolution 51/241.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of paragraph 25?
It was so decided.
May I take it that the Assembly takes note of the provisions regarding the length of statements contained in paragraph 26?
It was so decided.
Section II.H deals with records of meetings.
In paragraph 27, the General Committee took note of the fact that verbatim records would be provided during the fifty-sixth session for the plenary meetings of the General Assembly and for meetings of the First Committee, and that summary records would be provided for the meetings of the General Committee and the other Main Committees of the Assembly.
May I take it that the Assembly approves the recommendation contained in paragraph 28 concerning transcriptions of the debates of some of the meetings of
the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)?
It was so decided.
May I take it that the Assembly also approves the recommendation contained in paragraph 29 that the practice of not reproducing in extenso statements made in a Main Committee be maintained for the fifty-sixth session?
It was so decided.
Section II.I concerns concluding statements in the General Assembly and the Main Committees.
I take it that the General Assembly takes note of this section.
It was so decided.
Section II.J concerns resolutions.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provisions contained in paragraphs 31 to 34?
It was so decided.
We turn now to Section II.K, concerning documentation.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provision relating to reports of the Secretary-General or subsidiary organs contained in paragraph 35?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 36, the General Committee draws the attention of the General Assembly to the annex to decision 55/488 of 7 September 2001, reiterating that the terms “takes note of” and “notes” are neutral terms that constitute neither approval nor disapproval.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of paragraph 36?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 37, the General Committee draws the attention of the General Assembly to paragraph 6 of its resolution 48/264 and to paragraph 5 of section C of resolution 54/248 of 23 December 1999, which emphasize that documentation should be available in accordance with the six-week
rule for the distribution of the documents simultaneously in each of the six official languages of the General Assembly.
May I take it that the Assembly takes note of paragraph 37?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 38, the General Committee draws the attention of the General Assembly to paragraph 32 of the annex to resolution 51/241, appealing to all bodies to exercise restraint in making proposals containing requests for new reports and to consider integrating, biennializing and triennializing the presentation of reports.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of this paragraph?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 39, the General Committee draws the attention of the General Assembly to paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 55/285, on the need for Member States to take concrete action to implement paragraph 32 of the annex to resolution 51/241, including by requesting more integrated reports.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of paragraph 39?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 40, the General Committee further draws the attention of the General Assembly to paragraph 17 of the annex to resolution 55/285, which provides that Member States and entities of the United Nations system should make a serious effort to submit their replies and inputs to requests for information or views pursuant to resolutions of the General Assembly within the prescribed deadlines.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of paragraph 40?
It was so decided.
Section II.L refers to questions related to the programme budget.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provisions contained in paragraphs 41 to 43?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 44, which concerns subparagraph 13 (d) of decision 34/401, the General Committee draws the Assembly’s attention to the observations by the Secretary-General that the preparation of a statement of programme budget implications by the Secretary-General may take a few days. In addition, the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions and the Fifth Committee need adequate time to review the programme budget implications of a draft resolution before the draft resolution can be acted on by the Assembly.
The Secretary-General thus considers it desirable that Member States submit proposals sufficiently in advance to avoid the cancellation of meetings and the postponement of consideration of items.
May I take it that the Assembly takes notes of the observations of the Secretary-General contained in paragraph 44?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 45, the General Committee, at the suggestion of the Secretary-General, also draws the attention of the General Assembly to section VI of its resolution 45/248 B of 21 December 1990, on procedures for administrative and budgetary matters, and to resolution 52/220 of 22 December 1997, by which the provisions of resolution 45/248 B were reaffirmed.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provisions contained in paragraph 45?
It was so decided.
Section II.M concerns observances and commemorative meetings.
We turn first to paragraph 46. The General Committee recommends that, with the exception of the anniversary of the United Nations, the General Assembly should adopt the suggested format for commemorative meetings, including limiting each statement to 15 minutes.
May I take it that the Assembly approves the recommendations contained in paragraph 46?
It was so decided.
May I take it that the Assembly also approves the recommendation contained in
paragraph 47 regarding the scheduling of observances and commemorative meetings?
It was so decided.
I now invite the General Assembly to turn to section II.N, which refers to special conferences.
May I take it that the Assembly approves the recommendations referred to in paragraphs 48 to 50?
It was so decided.
In section II.O, concerning meetings of subsidiary organs, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly, on the strict understanding that meetings would have to be accommodated within available facilities and services, that the subsidiary organs referred to in paragraph 51 be authorized to meet during the main part of the fifty- sixth session.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
We turn next to paragraph 52, regarding a resumed third session of the Preparatory Committee for the International Conference on Financing for Development, to be held from 15 to 19 October 2001.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of paragraph 52?
It was so decided.
We turn now to section III of the report of the General committee, relating to the adoption of the agenda. This section starts at paragraph 53.
I would first recall rule 23 of the rules of procedure, which provides that
“Debate on the inclusion of an item in the agenda, when that item has been recommended for inclusion by the General Committee, shall be limited to three speakers in favour of, and three against, the inclusion.”
I should like to stress that at this time we are not discussing the substance of any item.
With regard to paragraph 54, may I consider that it is the wish of the Assembly to direct its Main
Committees to review their agenda with a view to streamlining their programmes of work, as suggested in the paragraph?
It was so decided.
With regard to paragraph 55, may I urge members of the Assembly to give careful thought to the suggestion by the Secretary-General, taking into account especially paragraphs 23 to 26 of the annex to resolution 51/241, to consider deferring to a later session items for which decisions and action are not required at the present session.
In paragraph 56, the General Committee took note of paragraphs 3 to 6 and 8 of the annex to resolution 55/285, which read as follows:
“3. All cooperation items shall be clustered under an item entitled ‘Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations’ and individual cooperation items shall become sub-items of that item.
“4. Practical measures to implement the clustering shall be taken in September 2001 by the General Assembly in conjunction with the adoption of the agenda of its fifty-sixth session.
“5. The cooperation items shall be biennialized, starting at the fifty-seventh session, and shall appear in the agenda of the General Assembly thereafter at odd-numbered sessions.
“6. Pursuant to the above decision, the biennialization shall be reflected in each related resolution, starting at the fifty-sixth session, as appropriate.
“8. Any resolution under individual sub-items shall remain separate.”
In paragraph 57, the General Committee also took note of paragraphs 10 and 11 of the annex to resolution 55/285, which read as follows:
“10. The following items shall be considered by the General Assembly at its fifty-sixth session and thereafter biennially:
‘(a) Zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic;
‘(b) Support by the United Nations system of the efforts of Governments to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies;
‘(c) United Nations reform: measures and proposals;
‘(d) The situation of democracy and human rights in Haiti;
‘(e) Restructuring and revitalization of the United Nations in the economic, social and related fields.’”
“11. The following item shall continue to be considered biennially, at even-numbered sessions: ‘Elimination of coercive measures as a means of political and economic compulsion’.”
In paragraph 59, with regard to items 21 to 32 of the draft agenda concerning cooperation, the General Committee recommends the inclusion of a new item 21, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations”, with items 21 to 32 of the draft agenda becoming sub-items (a) to (l) of the new item 21.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of this recommendation of the General Committee?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 60, the General Committee recommends that the consideration of item 106 of the draft agenda, entitled, “Question of the Malagasy islands of Glorieuses, Juan de Nova, Europa and Bassas da India”, should be deferred to the fifty- seventh session, and that the item should be included in the provisional agenda of that session.
May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 61, in connection with item 182 of the draft agenda, entitled “Observer status for the International Development Law Institute in the General Assembly”, the General Committee recommends its inclusion in the agenda of the current session.
May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 62, in connection with item 183 of the draft agenda, entitled “Observance of the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation
of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict”, the General Committee recommends its inclusion in the agenda of the current session.
May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 63, the General Committee recommends that item 184 of the draft agenda, entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum”, be included in the agenda of the current session as sub-item (m) of new item 21.
May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 64, in connection with item 185 of the draft agenda, entitled “Observer status for the International Hydrographic Organization in the General Assembly”, the General Committee recommends its inclusion in the agenda of the current session.
May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 65, in connection with item 186 of the draft agenda, entitled “Observer status for the Community of Sahelo-Saharan States in the General Assembly”, the General Committee recommends its inclusion in the agenda of the current session.
May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 66, in connection with item 187 of the draft agenda, entitled “International Convention against the reproductive cloning of human beings”, the General Committee recommends its inclusion in the agenda of the current session.
May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
In respect of paragraph 67, the General Committee decided not to recommend the inclusion of item 188 of the draft agenda.
In paragraph 68, in connection with item 189 of the draft agenda, entitled “Peace, security and reunification on the Korean peninsula”, the General Committee recommends the inclusion of this item in the agenda of the current session.
May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
In paragraph 69, in connection with item 190 of the draft agenda, entitled “Observer status for Partners in Population and Development in the General Assembly”, the General Committee recommends its inclusion in the agenda of the current session.
May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
We turn now to the agenda which the General Committee recommends for adoption by the General Assembly.
In accordance with past practice, we shall follow the numbering given in paragraph 70 of the General Committee’s report contained in document A/56/250 and, where it seems appropriate, we shall consider items in groups. I should like to remind members once again that, at present, we are not discussing the substance of any item, except when such discussion can assist the Assembly in deciding whether or not to include an item in the agenda.
Items 1 to 6 have already been dealt with. We turn to items 7 to 20. May I remind delegations that we are dealing only with the question of the inclusion of the items.
May I take it that these items are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
We turn now to the new item 21 with sub-items (a) to (m). May I take it that item 21 with sub-items (a) to (m) are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
May I take it that items 22 to 63 are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
I now invite members to turn to items 64 to 84, relating to disarmament.
May I take it that these items are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
Now we turn to items 85 to 94. May I take it that these items are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
Next, we come to items 95 to 107, relating to international economic issues. May I take it that these items are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
Items 108 to 119 relate to social and humanitarian questions. May I take it that these items are also included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
Next, may I take it that items 120 to 158, dealing with administrative and financial questions, are included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
We now turn to items 159 to 168, dealing with legal matters.
If there is no objection, I will take it that these items are included in the agenda.
It was so decided.
The next item is item 169.
May I take it that this item is included in the agenda?
It was so decided.
With regard to items 170 to 176, members will recall that the General Assembly has already decided to include these items in the agenda of the current session.
We now turn to section IV of the report of the General Committee, on allocation of items.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provisions contained in paragraphs 71 to 74?
It was so decided.
I now give the floor to the representative of Belgium.
The horrifying magnitude of the terrorist attacks of 11 September requires the international community to become fully conscious that international terrorism constitutes a very grave threat to all humanity and the security of all.
Unanimously and most vigorously, the General Assembly reiterated last week the urgent need to strengthen international cooperation to prevent and eliminate acts of terrorism.
In order to give the absolutely necessary priority to the struggle against international terrorism, I would propose, on behalf of the European Union, that the initial debate of the General Assembly on item 166 of the provisional agenda, entitled “Measures to eliminate international terrorism”, be held in plenary meeting as soon as possible, on the understanding that the technical aspects of this item will continue to be examined in the Sixth Committee.
This is my request.
Members have heard the proposal by the representative of Belgium that the initial debate on item 166 be held in plenary meeting as early as possible, on the understanding that the consideration of technical aspects of that item will remain in the Sixth Committee.
I give the floor to the representative of South Africa.
Forgive me for coming in now. I am actually speaking in support of this issue being considered in plenary. However, I just want to point out that in the light of the fact that we have been advised that we cannot bring our high-level officials into the city at this stage because of the tragedy affecting the people of the city of New York, it should be noted that we from the African Group — and I am sure I am speaking for the entire group — have been advised that our ministers can come only when the new date of the general debate has been set. When the debate on this subject takes place, we will not be
able to be represented at the highest level because we have advised our capitals to cancel their schedules and await a new date being set for the general debate.
I just want to put that on record because, if the meeting does take place and some other regions are represented at the ministerial level or higher, it should not be read as a statement that those of us from Africa did not want to participate in it. We are fully in support and think this is a wonderful idea, but, frankly, we would have preferred that this debate take place in the general debate, when we would really be represented at the highest level with no doubt whatsoever. If it needs to take place sooner, that is fine, but let us put this on record so that a certain impression will not be created by our possibly coming at a lower level of representation than other regions.
We will take that into consideration.
If there is no objection or further statement of support, may I take it that the General Assembly adopts the proposal by the representative of Belgium, supported by the representative of South Africa?
It was so decided.
We shall now turn to the recommendations contained in paragraphs 78 to 84. We shall take up the recommendations one by one.
Before we proceed, may I remind members that the item numbers refer to the agenda contained in paragraph 70 of the report before us, document A/56/250.
We turn first to the recommendation in paragraph 78 (a), which concerns item 10 and relates, inter alia, to the timing of a brief presentation by the Secretary- General on his annual report on the work of the Organization.
Inasmuch as paragraph 7 of the annex to resolution 51/241 stipulates that the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization shall be considered in plenary meetings of the General Assembly immediately after the general debate, and in view of the scheduling of the general debate for future dates, the General Assembly could begin consideration of item 10 on Monday, 17 September 2001.
If there is no objection, may I take it that the General Assembly decides that consideration of item 10 will begin on Monday, 17 September 2001?
It was so decided.
Furthermore, inasmuch as paragraph 10 of the annex to resolution 51/241 requests “the Secretary-General to introduce the report orally at an appropriate time” and since at previous sessions the General Assembly had heard a brief presentation by the Secretary-General on his annual report in the morning prior to the opening of the general debate, the first order of business under agenda item 10 on Monday, 17 September 2001, will therefore be the brief presentation by the Secretary-General on his annual report.
The list of speakers for item 10 is open.
May I also take it that the General Assembly takes note of paragraph 14 of the annex to resolution 55/285?
It was so decided.
We turn next to the recommendation in paragraph 78 (b) relating to item 18.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
We now turn to paragraph 78 (c), relating to item 21, “Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations”.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of paragraph 78 (c)?
It was so decided.
We turn next to the recommendation in paragraph 78 (d) relating to item 25, entitled “United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations”.
May I take it that it that the General Assembly takes note of paragraph 78 (d)?
It was so decided.
Next, we turn to the recommendation in paragraph 78 (e) concerning item 45. May I take it that the General Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
In connection with paragraph 78 (f), relating to item 62, the General Committee recommends that the General Assembly allocate the item at an appropriate time during the session. May I take it that the General Assembly approves that recommendation?
It was so decided.
We turn next to the recommendation in paragraph 78 (g) relating to item 171, entitled “Observance of the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict”.
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to consider the item directly in plenary meeting?
It was so decided.
We turn next to the recommendation in paragraph 78 (h) relating to item 175, entitled “Peace, security and reunification on the Korean peninsula”.
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to consider the item directly in plenary meeting?
It was so decided.
We now turn to the recommendation in paragraph 79, relating to item 74, entitled “General and complete disarmament”.
May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendation pertaining to item 74?
It was so decided.
We turn now to paragraph 80, relating to item 97 (c), entitled “High-level dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership”.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of paragraph 80 pertaining to item 97 (c)?
It was so decided.
In this connection, I should like to inform members that the high-level dialogue, in addition to plenary meetings, will consist of two ministerial round tables-cum-informal panels that will take place in the morning and afternoon of Thursday, 20 September.
We turn next to the recommendation in paragraph 81 (a), relating to item 27, entitled “Implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development and of the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly”.
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly that item 27 be allocated to the Third Committee?
It was so decided.
We turn next to the recommendation in paragraph 81 (b), relating to item 108, entitled “Social development, including questions relating to the world social situation and to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family”.
May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of paragraph 81 (b)?
It was so decided.
We turn now to the recommendation in paragraph 81 (c), relating to item 112, entitled “Advancement of Women”.
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to approve that recommendation?
It was so decided.
We next turn to paragraph 82, relating to item 169, entitled “Administration of justice at the United Nations”.
The General Committee decided to defer its recommendation on the allocation of the item.
We turn now to the recommendation in paragraph 83 (a), relating to item 170, entitled “Observer status for the International Development Law Institute in the General Assembly”.
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly that the item be allocated to the Sixth Committee?
It was so decided.
We turn now to the recommendation in paragraph 83 (b), relating to item 172, entitled “Observer status for the International Hydrographic Organization in the General Assembly”.
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly that the item be allocated to the Sixth Committee?
It was so decided.
We turn now to the recommendation in paragraph 83 (c), relating to item 173, entitled “Observer status for the Community of Sahelo-Saharan States in the General Assembly”.
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly that the item be allocated to the Sixth Committee?
It was so decided.
We next turn to the recommendation in paragraph 83 (d), relating to item 174, entitled “International convention against the reproductive cloning of human beings”.
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly that the item should be allocated to the Sixth Committee?
It was so decided.
We turn now to the recommendation in paragraph 83 (e), relating to item 176, entitled “Observer status for Partners in Population and Development in the General Assembly”.
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly that the item be allocated to the Sixth Committee?
It was so decided.
We shall now turn to paragraph 84 of the report of the General Committee.
I invite members to turn to the list of items recommended by the General Committee for consideration in plenary meeting.
Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of the items listed in paragraph 84 of the report of the General Committee for consideration directly in plenary meeting?
It was so decided.
We come now to the list of items which the General Committee has recommended for allocation to the First Committee.
Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of the items proposed for the First
Committee in paragraph 84 of the report of the General Committee?
It was so decided.
We turn now to the list of items which the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Special Political And Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee).
Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items proposed for the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) in paragraph 84 of the report of the General Committee?
It was so decided.
We come now to the list of items which the General Committee has recommended for allocation to the Second Committee.
Taking into account the decision just adopted, may I consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items proposed for the Second Committee in paragraph 84 of the report of the General Committee?
It was so decided.
We turn now to the list of items which the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Third Committee.
Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items to the Third Committee as proposed in paragraph 84 of the report of the General Committee?
It was so decided.
Next, we come to the list of items which the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Fifth Committee.
Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items to the Fifth Committee as proposed in paragraph 84 of the report of the General Committee?
It was so decided.
Lastly, we come to the list of items which the General Committee recommends for the Sixth Committee.
Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items proposed to the Sixth Committee in paragraph 84 of the report of the General Committee?
It was so decided.
The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of the first report of the General Committee. I wish to thank all the members of the Assembly for their cooperation.
Each Main Committee will receive the list of agenda items allocated to it so that it may begin and organize its work in accordance with rule 99 of the rules of procedure.
In addition, kindly again note that the First Committee should complete its work by Friday, 9 November; the Special Political and Decolonization (Fourth) Committee by Friday, 16 November; the Sixth Committee by Friday, 23 November; the Third Committee by Wednesday, 28 November; and the Second and the Fifth Committees by Friday, 7 December 2001.
I hope the Main Committees will continue with the effort they demonstrated in the fifty-fifth session in concluding their work on time.
I wish to recall and underline that all meetings must start punctually at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and I personally intend to ensure that we all keep to our commitment taken today. This undertaking also applies to the Secretariat, which must ensure that all documentation in all languages is available on time so that meetings can proceed without any delay.
I should now like to draw the attention of representatives to a matter concerning the participation of Palestine, in its capacity as observer, in the sessions and work of the General Assembly.
Members will recall resolution 52/250 of 7 July 1998 and its annex, as well as a note by the Secretary General contained in document A/52/1002 that outlines the Secretary-General’s understanding of the implementation of the modalities annexed to the resolution.
I should like to draw the Assembly’s attention in particular to paragraph 6 of the annex to resolution 52/250, which reads as follows:
“The right to make interventions, with a precursory explanation or the recall of relevant General Assembly resolutions being made only once by the President of the General Assembly at the start of each session of the Assembly”.
Accordingly, for the fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly, the observer of Palestine will
therefore participate in the work of the General Assembly in accordance with General Assembly resolution 3237 (XXIX) of 22 November 1974, resolution 43/177 of 15 December 1988 and resolution 52/250 of 7 July 1998, with no further need for a precursory explanation prior to any intervention by Palestine in this session.
The meeting rose at noon.